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What it's like to fly on TAP, the airline with the 'most handsome crew' in the worldhttps://www.businessinsider.in/what-its-like-to-fly-on-tap-the-airline-with-the-most-handsome-crew-in-the-world/this-is-tap-portugal-the-airline-which-was-recently-given-the-accolade-of-most-handsome-crew-by-monocle-/slidelist/62338170.cms2018-01-02T16:42:21+05:30

What it's like to fly on TAP, the airline with the 'most handsome crew' in the world

Jan 2, 2018, 16:42 IST

This is TAP Portugal, the airline which was recently given the accolade of "most handsome crew" by MONOCLE.

Founded in 1945, TAP — which has its hub in Lisbon — is Portugal's national airline, and flies to numerous European and international destinations.

According to MONOCLE, the airline employs more than 2,800 people across its routes.

Its crew members — including its pilots — certainly seem to enjoy their jobs...

...And the odd selfie is pretty common.

But there's more to the airline than its attractive crew. Here's what it's really like to take a trip on TAP.

There are six different fare levels — Discount, Basic, Classic, Plus, Executive, or Top Executive. Among other things, those in Plus and above get priority check-in and fast-track boarding.

Prices are competitive — the cheapest fare for a flight from London to Toronto (via Lisbon) starts at £173 and to New York it's £207 one way. Flights directly to Lisbon are around £42.

There are six different fare levels — Discount, Basic, Classic, Plus, Executive, or Top Executive. Among other things, those in Plus and above get priority check-in and fast-track boarding.

Prices are competitive — the cheapest fare for a flight from London to Toronto (via Lisbon) starts at £173 and to New York it's £207 one way. Flights directly to Lisbon are around £42.

The Discount fare is for hand luggage only, but Basic and above include at least one 23kg checked bag, with two bags for Executive and above.

If you fly Executive or Top Executive, you'll get free access to an exclusive lounge. At Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport, the 850-square-metre facility features rest zones, showers, a business centre, a restaurant and bar, and a children's area.

Here's a look inside the lounge.

The food and drink offering looks pretty appealing.

TAP's A330 aircraft — used for its long haul flights — have been completely refurbished, and it's in the process of modernising its short-haul A319s, A320s, and A321s as well. There will be new Portugese-designed seats in all classes, and a new class (Plus) between economy and executive with more legroom and "better reclining."

By March, the A320s will have the new seats with green shades for economy and red for economy Plus.

The in-flight entertainment system (seen below on a long-haul plane) offers award-winning movies, TV programmes and box sets, games, and documentaries.

Economy and Executive passengers will also find supports for tablets, with power and USB sockets that will enable them to enjoy their favourite entertainment.

Here's what the new Executive class — with new reclining lie-flat bed seats, USB sockets, noise-cancelling headphones, and private storage — looks like on the A330.

Executive passengers will enjoy their in-flight entertainment on bigger, more modern HD screens.

In-flight meals are included in all classes, even on a Discount fare. The menu focuses on Portugese products and traditional desserts.

In business class, chefs prepare dishes including a breakfast of bread, cold cuts, cheese, fruit, and yogurt. Lunch, dinner, and supper are a choice of meat, fish, or pasta — traditional Portugese fare.

In business class, chefs prepare dishes including a breakfast of bread, cold cuts, cheese, fruit, and yogurt. Lunch, dinner, and supper are a choice of meat, fish, or pasta — traditional Portugese fare.

Executive passengers can even pre-order meals on some flights.

This passenger said: "I would like to thank TAP airlines for the lovely meal during my flight to Portugal...Salmon Soufflé, Chicken Salad, Cheesecake and Wine from the Douro Valley...it was delicious and much needed!"

This passenger said: "I would like to thank TAP airlines for the lovely meal during my flight to Portugal...Salmon Soufflé, Chicken Salad, Cheesecake and Wine from the Douro Valley...it was delicious and much needed!"

There are even vegan and veggie options.

And, of course, there's a wine list.

To top it all off, the crew does sound pretty great.

"It feels a bit 1950s to be talking about attractive flight crew but let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy being served by a handsome fella with a nice smile and a twinkle in his eye?" MONOCLE wrote.

"It feels a bit 1950s to be talking about attractive flight crew but let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy being served by a handsome fella with a nice smile and a twinkle in his eye?" MONOCLE wrote.

"The largely Portuguese crew embody many of the nation’s best traits: they’re friendly, welcoming and multilingual (they must speak Portuguese, English and a third language)," the magazine went on.

"The largely Portuguese crew embody many of the nation’s best traits: they’re friendly, welcoming and multilingual (they must speak Portuguese, English and a third language)," the magazine went on.

"On our travels we’ve always found them to be polite but never obsequious — and did we mention handsome too?"

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