“It is a long-term investment,” stated TAP’s CEO during the launch ceremony of the direct connection at LAX airport, speaking to Lusa.
“The route begins seasonally as a risk management strategy, but we want it to continue year-round,” he added.
TAP will operate four weekly flights between the two cities until October, at which time the company will assess the route’s continuity. “If this route performs better than others, we can and must consider reallocating resources here,” emphasized Luís Rodrigues.
The executive highlighted that Los Angeles will host two major sporting events in the near future: the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games. These events could create excellent opportunities for a route connecting Southern California with the “gateway” to Europe.
During the ceremony marking the inaugural flight departing from LAX, at gate 204 of Terminal B, airport CEO John Ackerman emphasized the significance of having a prominent airline like TAP investing in the destination.
“When a company like TAP decides to start a route like this, it shows confidence in our airport and city, with a multi-year investment of several million dollars,” he remarked.
“We take this investment as seriously as you do and are committed to the success of this flight,” added the executive, highlighting that there had not been a direct route (by any airline) between Los Angeles and Lisbon for thirty years.
The first connections – LIS-LAX and LAX-LIS – flew with an occupancy rate of approximately 93%, which Luís Rodrigues deemed very favorable for a debut.
“Portugal has become such a popular destination for Americans that the market is much larger now,” Gareth Edmondson-Jones, TAP’s brand representative for North America, told Lusa, noting that the seasonality typical of summer is now spread throughout the year.
Edmondson-Jones believes that this new route will not cannibalize the San Francisco-Lisbon connection, which already has flights six days a week and “will probably” become daily. “There are many people in Southern California who want to go to Portugal, and it won’t detract from the San Francisco flight. It will add more passengers,” he stated.
TAP expects the new route to attract the Portuguese-American community in and around Los Angeles, as well as Americans wishing to visit Portugal and Europe.
“The Portuguese community is gaining more prestige in the United States, and I hope it greatly influences Americans to visit our country and explore the rest of Europe through Portugal,” summarized Luís Rodrigues.
The airline’s Stopover program could be advantageous, as it allows travelers to stay up to 10 days in Portugal and then continue to other European destinations without additional costs.
Also present at the ceremony, Portugal’s Consul General in San Francisco, Filipe Ramalheira, described the new flight as “a very convenient connection between two vibrant global cities” and a symbol of renewed proximity.
“For Portuguese entrepreneurs, students, artists, and tourists, this route opens a gateway to the Pacific,” he said.
“For Californians and Americans, it offers direct access to the Atlantic, the soul of Europe, and the hospitality and dynamism of Portugal,” he added.
Officials exchanged mementos and cut a symbolic ribbon before the boarding of the first passengers, who had the opportunity to enjoy malassadas and cake while waiting to embark.
