Summary
- American and Portuguese airlines increase flights between countries as Portugal has become one of the top US holiday destinations in recent years.
- The top five airlines operating between the US and Portugal will have 1,417 scheduled flights in July 2024.
- US-based carriers dominate the list, but Portuguese airlines operate more flights than their American counterparts.
With the busy summer travel season reaching its peak, both American and Portuguese airlines have increased the number of flights between their countries, as Portugal has become a top international travel destination for Americans in recent years, as per the European Travel Commission (ETC) data.
According to data released by an aviation analytics company, Cirium, the top five airlines operating the most flights between the United States and Portugal will have a combined total of 1,417 scheduled flights in July 2024.
Notably, while US-based carriers dominate the list, Portuguese airlines will still operate more flights than their American counterparts. The list contains three US-based carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, and two Portugal-based airlines, including Azores Airlines and the Portuguese flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal.
5
American Airlines
Flight number in July 2024: 62
|
Airline |
Seats |
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) |
|---|---|---|
|
American Airlines |
14,508 |
50,168,664 |
The Dallas-based carrier starts off the list of airlines operating the most flights between the United States and Portugal. As it stands, American Airlines has 62 scheduled flights between the two countries and offers 14,508 seats for the month of July.
Photo: Michael Derrer Fuchs | Shutterstock
American Airlines operates daily nonstop flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Lisbon Airport (LIS) using its fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner widebodies. The transatlantic journey between the two cities lasts approximately six hours. It is worth noting that PHL Airport is the fifth largest base for American Airlines.
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4
Delta Air Lines
Flight number in July 2024: 124
|
Airline |
Seats |
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) |
|---|---|---|
|
Delta Air Lines |
26,784 |
87,838,128 |
Delta Air Lines is the fourth airline with the most flights between the US and Portugal. In July 2024, the Atlanta-based carrier has 124 scheduled operations between the two countries. According to Cirium, the American airline will offer 26,784 seats and cover 87 million ASMs.
Photo: Wenjie Zheng | Shutterstock
The airline’s one of most popular routes to Portugal is between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Portugal’s capital, Lisbon (LIS). Delta offers daily nonstop operations between the two cities utilizing its fleet of Boeing 767-300 widebody aircraft. Notably, Delta operates a total of 64 Boeing 767s, including 43 767-300s and 21 767-400s, and is the world’s largest passenger operator of the type.
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3
Azores Airlines
Flight number in July 2024: 220
|
Airline |
Seats |
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) |
|---|---|---|
|
Azores Airlines |
45,890 |
126,446,072 |
Right in the middle of the list is the Portugal-based Azores Airlines, with 220 scheduled flights in July 2024, with more than the combined total of American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. As it stands, Azores Airlines offers 45,890 seats and covers 126 million ASMs, as per Cirium.
Photo: JJFarq | Shutterstock
Not surprisingly, the carrier connects the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores with North America from its base at Ponta Delgada–João Paulo II Airport (PDL). Azores Airlines provides daily nonstop flights between PDL and New York JFK Airport, utilizing its Airbus A321LR narrowbodies. In addition, the airline offers once-weekly flights between PDL and Boston Logan Airport (BOS) using its Airbus A321LR aircraft, of which it has just five in its fleet.
The airline has also recently launched direct transatlantic flights connecting Porto (OPO) with two cities in the US: New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS). Flight S4271 from OPO to BOS takes off every Tuesday, and flight S4277 departs for JFK every Thursday, using a Boeing 767 on these routes. It is worth noting that Azores wet leases the 767 from EuroAtlantic Airways, a Portuguese ACMI airline, to operate these flights.
2
United Airlines
Flight number in July 2024: 325
|
Airline |
Seats |
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) |
|---|---|---|
|
United Airlines |
68,354 |
224,977,608 |
United Airlines has become the largest US airline on this list, offering the most flights between the US and Portugal, with 325 flights scheduled for July 2024. With 325 flights lined up for the month, the Chicago-based carrier will offer 68,354 seats and cover 224 million ASMs.
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Some direct routes between the US and Portugal offered by United Airlines include Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Lisbon (LIS), New York Newark Airport (EWR) to Lisbon (LIS), New York (EWR) to Porto (OPO), and New York (EWR) to Ponta Delgada (PDL), among other routes.
The carrier uses a wide variety of aircraft for these routes, including its fleet of Boeing 767s, Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, Boeing 757s, and Boeing 737 MAX 8s for the New York to Ponta Delgada route.
1
TAP Air Portugal
Flight number in July 2024: 686
|
Airline |
Seats |
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) |
|---|---|---|
|
TAP Air Portugal |
158,661 |
602,434,197 |
The Portuguese flag carrier TAP Air Portugal tops the list of airlines operating the most flights between the United States and Portugal. The Lisbon-based carrier offers a staggering 686 flights in July 2024. With that in mind, the airline will provide 158,661 seats and cover 602 million ASMs.
Photo: Rebius | Shutterstock
TAP offers flights to six US cities, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, and Washington. The carrier’s one of the most popular routes is the Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Washington DC (IAD). TAP offers 13 weekly flights and uses its fleet of Airbus A321LR narrowbody aircraft.
Another popular route is the Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Miami (MIA). TAP offers ten weekly flights between the two destinations using its fleet of Airbus A330 widebody aircraft.
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