TAP Air Portugal delay and cancellation compensation
1.16%
Cancels
Of its scheduled flights
79%
Arrives on time
Within 15 minutes
949
Flights measured
January 2025 – August 2026
The cancellation rate is the number that matters on this page: cancellation is what triggers a refund right. Delay, in the United States, does not.
TAP Air Portugal is an EU carrier — EC 261 applies to much of what it flies
EC 261 covers any flight departing an EU airport on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU airline. Because TAP Air Portugal is an EU carrier, both legs of a European round trip are usually covered.
Where it applies, an arrival delay of three hours or more, a cancellation with less than fourteen days' notice, or denied boarding entitles you to a fixed sum by distance — roughly €250, €400 or €600. It is not payable when the cause was an extraordinary circumstance, which in practice means most weather and air traffic control disruption.
The one rule that applies everywhere
If TAP Air Portugal cancels your flight and you decline the alternative, you are owed your money back for the unused portion — whatever the reason, weather included. A voucher is something you may accept, never something you can be required to take.
Where TAP Air Portugal flies from, and what applies there
| Departing from | Flights | Scheme that applies |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 508 | No compensation scheme |
| Portugal | 441 | EC 261 — cash compensation possible |
About TAP Air Portugal's record
Is TAP Air Portugal reliable?
TAP Air Portugal arrived on time 79% of the time across 949 flights, ranking 29 of 86 airlines measured. That is around the middle of the field.
How often does TAP Air Portugal cancel flights?
1.16% of its scheduled flights were cancelled. Cancellation matters more than delay for a traveller: it is the outcome that costs a day, and the one that triggers a refund entitlement.
When TAP Air Portugal is late, how late is it?
About 50 minutes on average across its delayed arrivals.
This page explains published rules and is not legal advice. AirlineGrades is independent and not affiliated with TAP Air Portugal. Confirm current thresholds with the relevant regulator before relying on them. The full guide →