TAP Air Portugal was distinguished at the 2026 World Travel Awards with the awards for Best European Airline to Africa and Best European Airline to South America, reinforcing its leadership in these two strategic markets.
The trophies were presented to José Moreira, Chief Operating Officer of TAP Air Portugal, who highlighted the importance of this international recognition. “Receiving these awards is a source of immense pride for TAP. They reflect, once again, the trust placed in us by our customers and partners, as well as the daily commitment of our teams to delivering an excellent experience, not only on board our aircraft but at every stage of the journey, not to mention the first-class maintenance of our aircraft. Africa and South America remain key markets where we hold a unique position in terms of connectivity not only between continents but also between different communities,” he said.
TAP Air Portugal was also recognised at the 2026 World Travel Tech Awards as the European Airline with the Best Website. The World Travel Tech Awards are an annual sister event to the World Travel Awards, dedicated to recognising and celebrating excellence, innovation and service in the global travel technology sector. At the same ceremony, the organisation presented the 2026 MICE Awards, and TAP was voted Best European Airline. The MICE Awards are the WTA’s event for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
TAP continues to offer one of the most extensive networks of connections between Europe, Africa and South America. To Africa, the airline currently operates flights from Lisbon and Porto to destinations in Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Morocco, Senegal, Gambia and Ghana, providing 82 weekly connections and consolidating its position as the leading European airline serving the African continent. On 25 October, TAP will launch a new route between Porto and the island of Sal, Cape Verde.
In South America, TAP maintains the largest international operation of any European airline, connecting Portugal to 15 Brazilian cities with 100 weekly flights. TAP will launch yet another route, to São Luís do Maranhão, on 26 October. In South America, the airline also flies to Venezuela, reinforcing its position as the main link between Europe and the region.
The awards received this year add to the accolades for Best European Airline to Africa in 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, bringing the total to 11 wins in this category.
In the category of Best European Airline to South America, TAP won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, bringing its total to 13 awards in this category.
The World Travel Awards recognise excellence in the global travel and tourism sector annually and are internationally recognised as one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades. The winners are chosen through an online vote by industry professionals, including travel agents, tour operators and tourism organisations from around the world, as well as by the general public.
TAP Air Portugal currently flies from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester airport in the UK and from Dublin in Ireland to Lisbon and Porto with onward connections to Brazil, Africa, Madeira, Azores, the USA and Canada. TAP has a stop over programme allowing passengers to stop in either Lisbon or Porto on long haul journeys for up to 10 days for no additional air fare.
