TAP Launches New Branded Fare Concept for Intercon

NEW YORK, April 05, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAP Portugal has introduced a new branded fare structure aimed at offering customers more freedom of choice when purchasing tickets for intercontinental flights. Similar to the new branded fares that launched September for Europe and North Africa, customers can now select the products, throughout the entire TAP network, that best meet their travel needs, in a simple and transparent way, and pay only the price corresponding to the products they most value.

There are four fare brand options available for travel in Economy, and two in Business. These options correspond to fare brands varying in price and services. Customers who choose to travel with only carry-on baggage can purchase the new Discount fare, which offers the most competitive pricing. Customers who prefer to travel with one checked bag will be able to select the Basic fare, while those who travel with two checked bags and want to pre-assign their seat can select a Classic fare. Should a customer need to travel with additional baggage, comfort and flexibility, the Plus fare offers up to three bags, pre-assigned seating toward the front of the aircraft, priority check-in, and flexibility in making changes to reservations, among other advantages. Regardless of the fare selected, customers still have the option to purchase additional products and services at any time.

With this change in the fare structure, in effect as of today, a customer who chooses to purchase a Basic fare to travel as of September 1, 2017 Lisbon-JFK, may benefit from a 19% discount, when compared to the cost for the same itinerary, to travel in either May or October if the ticket had been purchased prior to the new fares implementation. If the customer opted to travel without a checked bag, the discount would be greater than 25%. When comparing still the same flights and dates but applying the Classic and Plus fares, which offer added benefits for the customer such as additional baggage and pre-assigned seats, the discounts can be as high as 40% to 50%.

In Business class, the Executive fare offers more attractive pricing, while still providing all the comforts and amenities of Business, such as lounge access and priority boarding. With the Top Executive fare, in addition to the comfort and amenities, there is complete flexibility in flight changes and cancellation without fees. Additionally, customers can check three pieces of baggage up to 32kg/70lb each, earn bonus miles, and take advantage of free Valet Parking in Lisbon and Porto airports.

From now on the Customer chooses the conditions and price of the trip. This change is within the scope of the measures that are defined in TAP’s Strategic Plan, which includes, among others, the retrofit program of its long-haul and medium-haul fleet, improving the interiors of the aircraft cabins in order to offer greater comfort and an overall better flight experience for the Customer.

Bookings under the new fare structure, for travel as of September 1, 2017, can already be confirmed through TAP’s website at  www.flytap.com  or through a Travel Agent. For more information on TAP’s new branded fares please go to  https://www.flytap.com/en-us/booking-informat...p-products .

About TAP Portugal

TAP is Portugal’s leading airline, and member of Star Alliance, the global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach, since 2005. In operation since 1945, TAP celebrated 70 years on March 14, 2015, and completed its privatization process in 2015, with the Atlantic Gateway Group now as new private shareholders of its share capital. TAP hub in Lisbon is a key European gateway at the crossroads of Africa, North, Central and South America, where TAP stands out as the international leading carrier in operation to Brazil. During the current IATA Summer period, the company’s network will comprise 76 destinations in 29 countries worldwide. TAP currently operates about 2,500 weekly flights in average on a modern fleet of 61 Airbus aircraft and 17 aircraft operating in TAP Express livery, TAP regional branded product, adding up to a 78 aircraft fleet. As of June 2016, the company took delivery of two additional A330s, thus increasing its fleet to 80 aircraft in total. Within the vast restructure program currently going across the company as the outcome of its privatization process, TAP has announced its Network restructure, its medium and long haul fleet renewal program as of 2017 and the retrofit of the fleet currently in operation as well as the launch of the new branded product TAP Express, which replaces PGA and operates a new fleet of 8 ATR 72 and 9   Embraer 190. In the pursuit of its customer-focused policy, TAP continuously invests to deliver safe, reliable and upgraded products & services, tailored to meet customers’ expectations. Retaining the Portuguese character of the Company’s brand and quality service as the basic concept has been the main driver of TAP strategy in most recent years. Recognized and awarded as the Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa as well as Europe’s Leading Airline to South America by the World Travel Awards in 2015 and 2014, the company was also awarded as the WTA World’s Leading Airline to Africa in 2011 and 2012 and the WTA World’s Leading Airline to South America in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Voted Best Airline in Europe in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and again in 2016 by the Global Traveler, USA, the company was also honored by UNESCO and by the International Union of Geological Sciences with the IYPE “Planet Earth Award 2010”, in the category of “Most Innovative Sustainable Product”. TAP was also voted Best Airline by Condé Nast Traveller Magazine in 2010, Best Portuguese Tourism Company by the specialized magazine Marketeer, in 2011 and also the airline with Best Reputation by the Reputation Institute in 2014, while its Inflight Magazine UP was voted Best European Inflight Magazine by the WTA awards in 2015.

For further information ,  please go to   www.flytap.com .

Media contact: Gareth Edmondson-Jones GEJ, Ink 917 399-9355 GEJink@gmail.com