Receive compensation in case of a delayed Tap Portugal flight

After weeks, even months, of preparing your trip, you are finally ready to board. But upon arriving at the airport, a bad surprise: your TAP Portugal flight is delayed by more than three hours. This unexpected setback disrupts your plans, and one question immediately comes to mind: what should you do now?

Don’t panic, Indemniflight is here to help you assert your rights. When faced with a flight delay, it is essential to know the rules in place to claim compensation. Although the Portuguese airline is known for its quality service, it is not immune to disruptions such as significant delays.

These can cause discomfort, unexpected expenses, and above all, a lot of stress, especially if you have a connecting flight or commitments upon arrival. If your flight is delayed by at least 3 hours upon arrival, you can file a claim, provided the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances (such as an airport staff strike or extreme weather conditions).

At Indemniflight, we make all the procedures easy for you. Our team of experts takes care of preparing your file, defending it with the airline, and maximizing your chances of obtaining prompt and effective compensation.

In this article, we explain in detail:

• What your rights are as a passenger when there is a problem with a flight
• The conditions to meet to be eligible for compensation
• How we can support you at every step of your claim process.

What does TAP Portugal offer in case of a delayed flight?

In the event of a significant delay of a TAP Portugal flight, the airline is required to provide assistance to passengers during their wait. According to European regulations, you are entitled to certain free services:

• Meals and drinks appropriate to the length of the wait;
• Hotel accommodation if the departure is postponed to the next day, with transport covered between the airport and the hotel;
• The possibility to make two telephone calls, or send two emails or two faxes.

However, TAP Portugal may refuse this assistance if providing these services causes an additional delay to the flight. Beyond this immediate support, financial compensation may also be granted, provided your flight meets certain precise criteria.

Also, when your TAP Portugal flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, you have the option to cancel the trip. In this case, TAP Portugal must offer you alternative transportation or proceed with a full refund of your ticket. But be aware that if you decide not to board, you lose the right to lump-sum compensation for the delay, as the regulation only applies if you complete the originally planned journey.

The amount of compensation for a delayed TAP Portugal flight

Since the implementation of the European Regulation, passenger rights in case of air travel disruption are better regulated. If your TAP Portugal flight is delayed by three hours or more upon arrival, and this delay is not caused by an exceptional circumstance (such as extreme weather or sabotage), you may be entitled to compensation up to €600.

The exact amount of this compensation depends on the distance covered by your flight. It is set by European regulations:

These amounts are fixed, which means they do not depend on the price you paid for your ticket. They are intended to compensate for the inconvenience related to your flight, whatever the reason (except in exceptional cases).

Indemniflight, a service adapted to your situation

You now know your rights as an air passenger in case of a delayed flight with TAP Portugal. However, initiating a claim process can quickly become an uphill battle. Airlines, including TAP Air Portugal, are often reluctant to pay compensation and frequently invoke extraordinary circumstances to avoid their responsibility.

These arguments are sometimes vague or even unjustified, making the process even more complicated. To avoid wasting time and energy, Indemniflight takes over on your behalf, handling all the formalities related to your compensation claim.

Easily obtain your compensation with our help

Indemniflight, a French startup specializing in defending air passengers’ rights, allows you to claim compensation with no upfront fees. Our experts handle everything, from checking your eligibility to obtaining the compensation. All you need to do is submit your file online on our platform.

We then analyze the details of your flight, and if all conditions are met, we initiate procedures with TAP Air Portugal to recover the compensation you are entitled to. And if the airline refuses to cooperate? We call upon our partner lawyers who will defend your case before the competent courts.

Indemniflight only charges a fee in case of success, amounting to 35% VAT included of the recovered amount. So you bear no financial risk. Don’t let go of your rights as a passenger: if your TAP Portugal flight is delayed, call on Indemniflight to turn this misadventure into an opportunity to be fairly compensated.

What to do in case of a delayed TAP Portugal flight?

If you are facing a flight issue, don’t waste time waiting passively in the boarding area. Some simple actions can make all the difference in strengthening your claim with TAP Portugal airline and maximize your chances of getting compensation. Here are the good reflexes to adopt immediately:

• Gather all supporting documents: boarding pass, baggage tag, booking confirmation, receipts for expenses incurred (meals, taxi, hotel…).
• Accurately note your flight number as well as the actual departure and arrival times.
• Keep your boarding pass carefully, especially if check-in has already been completed.
• Keep your baggage tag, often required in compensation claims.
• Save your booking emails in a dedicated folder or print them out.
• Finally, inquire directly with TAP Portugal staff to know the precise reasons for the delay. This information can be crucial to assess whether the incident falls within the scope of compensations provided by law.

How to maximize your chances of receiving compensation after a delayed TAP Portugal flight?

To give yourself the best chance, we recommend keeping all documents related to your trip carefully: boarding pass, booking confirmation, receipts for expenses (meals, accommodation, transport) incurred. Also remember to request a delay certificate from TAP Portugal. This official document can be useful to support your compensation claim.

Don’t forget that the airline is required to cover the costs incurred if you wait at the airport. Finally, an essential piece of advice: do not give up on boarding your flight at the airport. If you decide not to board, you automatically lose your right to compensation.

What are the conditions to be compensated after a flight delay?

The European Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 protects passengers traveling with airlines operating within the European Union. This regulation therefore applies to TAP Portugal, the Portuguese national airline, if:

• Your flight departs from an airport located in the EU, regardless of the destination;
• Or if your flight lands in the EU and TAP Portugal is the operator, even if the departure was outside the EU.

Consequently, if your TAP Portugal flight is delayed by more than 3 hours on arrival, you have the right to claim compensation, under certain conditions. TAP also assesses other factors to validate or reject a claim.

In which cases can you claim compensation from TAP Portugal?

TAP Portugal’s responsibility is engaged when the delay is due to a cause internal to the airline, such as:

• A technical failure of the aircraft or mechanical issue;
• A lack of cabin crew or an internal strike at TAP Portugal (pilots, flight attendants, ground staff);
• Organizational errors or malfunctions;
• Poor crew scheduling or unanticipated exceeded flight time;
• A refusal of overflight permission for administrative or planning reasons.

In these situations, TAP Portugal is supposed to pay a lump sum compensation, which can be up to €600 depending on the flight distance. To defend your rights, gather as much evidence as possible on site and do not hesitate to ask airline staff about the exact causes of the delay.

Cases where TAP Portugal may refuse to compensate you

Certain so-called exceptional circumstances can exempt TAP Portugal from its obligation to compensate passengers, even in the event of a significant flight delay. This is notably the case when extreme weather conditions compromise flight safety, such as a severe storm, strong winds, thunderstorm, or near-zero visibility. In such situations, the airline’s priority is to ensure the safety of all passengers.

Another example: an air traffic controllers’ strike. This type of disruption is beyond TAP Portugal’s control, as it is a social movement external to the airline’s staff. Therefore, the carrier cannot be held responsible for the impact on the flight schedule.

Unforeseen incidents such as the presence of birds in the engines or a lightning strike on the aircraft also require a series of rigorous technical inspections before a safe takeoff can be considered. Again, caution is paramount and the resulting delay does not entitle passengers to compensation.

In a tense international context, geopolitical crises can also affect flight routes. If a country decides to close its airspace, TAP Portugal must modify its trajectory, which can lead to detours or unscheduled stops.

Finally, a medical emergency on board may force the crew to land the aircraft outside its original destination. When a passenger requires immediate care, the airline naturally prioritizes human life, even if this causes a significant arrival delay.

In all these cases, although you cannot claim compensation, TAP Portugal is obliged to offer you assistance (meals, hotel, transport) and to refund your ticket if you choose to cancel the flight.

How to quickly obtain compensation for a flight delay?

Before starting any procedure, make sure that the delay is indeed directly the responsibility of TAP Portugal. This will save you unnecessary time loss. If your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours without exceptional circumstances, you have the right to file a claim for compensation. Note: you must have actually taken the flight concerned to be eligible.

Otherwise — if you choose not to board because of the delay or if the delay is due to a cause beyond TAP Portugal’s control — you can demand a refund of your ticket, or alternative transport, but no lump-sum compensation.

Two options are available to claim this amount: contact TAP Portugal directly or use a specialized service like Indemniflight.

A often long and discouraging administrative procedure

Under European Regulation EC No. 261/2004, you can initiate a claim process if your TAP Portugal flight was delayed by more than 3 hours on arrival. This can be done:

• By registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt
• Or directly on TAP Portugal’s official website.

In theory, TAP must then pay you up to €600 in compensation, but in practice, obtaining this amount can be very complicated. Like many other airlines, TAP Portugal tends to complicate the procedures: no response, requests for technical documents, extended delays… All obstacles designed to make you give up your claim.

Save time with Indemniflight to get compensated quickly

To bypass these obstacles, Indemniflight supports you free of charge in claiming your TAP Portugal compensation. This service brings together experts and lawyers specialized in aviation disputes, capable of acting quickly with the airline. Here is how it works:

• Check your eligibility in a few clicks on our website by entering your flight details.
• Send your supporting documents: boarding pass, emails, baggage tag, delay certificate…
• Let our teams act on your behalf, including in court if necessary, with no upfront fees.

Once compensation is obtained, you receive your money by bank transfer, after deduction of a fair commission.

Why a commission in case of success?

Our commission (charged only if you win) covers the administrative costs incurred during the process as well as the fees for experts and lawyers who defended your case. And if, despite all our efforts, the airline TAP Portugal refuses to pay the compensation, you pay nothing.

We simply inform you of the final decision, with no unpleasant surprises. Get your compensation now with Indemniflight. It’s fast, risk-free, and 100% win if your case is eligible!

About TAP Portugal

Founded in March 1945, TAP Portugal (Transportes Aéreos Portugueses) is the national airline of Portugal, wholly owned by the State. A member of Star Alliance since 2005, it has established itself as a major player in European and international air transport. The airline serves more than 90 destinations in 30 countries, mainly in Europe, Africa, South America, and North America.

Its modern fleet of 63 aircraft, mostly consisting of Airbus A320 and A330, allows it to transport more than 11 million passengers each year. Thanks to this activity, TAP Portugal generates revenue exceeding 2.5 billion euros. Recognized for its strategic links between Europe and Brazil, TAP also plays a key role in developing the Lisbon hub, often used as a transatlantic gateway.

A delayed flight with TAP Portugal can quickly turn your trip into a real headache. Fortunately, European regulations protect your rights as a passenger and allow you, in many situations, to receive compensation of up to €600.

To avoid complex and time-consuming procedures, Indemniflight takes care of everything on your behalf. Our team of experts supports you free of charge to claim what you are entitled to, even in case of an initial refusal by the airline.

Don’t let a delay ruin your travel experience: check now if your TAP Portugal flight is eligible for compensation.