TAP Air Portugal To Launch a Rare Nonstop Flight Between Orlando and Western Europe This Fall

There’s a new direct bridge between Europe and one of the most visited leisure hubs in the United States coming in late 2026.

A new route from TAP Portugal opens up options for both European explorers and U.S. travelers looking for a seamless way to connect between Lisbon and the heart of Florida. Whether you’re chasing theme parks, sunshine, or an easy transatlantic routing with great onward connections, this addition is welcome news.

TAP Air Portugal’s New Lisbon–Orlando Route

European carriers have been watching the U.S. market closely, and now TAP Air Portugal is doubling down on transatlantic demand with a new nonstop between Lisbon (LIS) and Orlando (MCO) that launches on October 29, 2026.

This news was confirmed in an interview with the airline’s CEO, Luís Rodrigues, this week.

The service will operate 3 times weekly — Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays — and expands TAP’s growing footprint in the Sunshine State.

This isn’t TAP’s first trip across the Atlantic. Lisbon already serves as a major hub for flights to North America, with direct service to cities such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York JFK, San Francisco and Washington. Orlando becomes the carrier’s ninth U.S. gateway, which is a clear signal that leisure traffic — especially routes tied to Florida’s world-famous attractions — is critical to the airline’s transatlantic strategy.

TAP plans to operate these flights with its Airbus A330 family, balancing fuel efficiency and range for long transatlantic hops. On select days, the newer A330-900neo will be used, offering a quieter cabin and more modern amenities, while other frequencies are set for the A330-200.

How does this stack up against competition? At Orlando, there’s a mix of European and U.S. carriers serving routes to the U.K. and beyond, but TAP’s Lisbon connection gives travelers one of the few true nonstop options from Central Florida into Southern Europe. This time, it’s available using points and miles with a Star Alliance carrier.

The only other nonstop service to the Iberian peninsula from Orlando right now is a flight to Madrid (MAD) on Iberia.

Where other European carriers might funnel traffic through larger hubs like London or Paris, TAP’s Lisbon position makes it easy to combine a Portugal stopover with onward travel to the rest of Europe, Africa, and even back into Brazil, thanks to the carrier’s broad network. This fits nicely into TAP’s broader ambition of being the “bridge” between continents — something it has been building toward for several years with added U.S. flights from both Lisbon and Porto.

Final Thoughts

This new Orlando service isn’t just another seasonal hop for TAP, it’s a strategic expansion that reflects shifting travel patterns and strong leisure demand out of Central Florida.

For points and miles travelers who value direct routes without the hassle of multi-stop connections, it adds flexibility — whether you’re headed to Portugal for a city break, a European tour, or looking for an alternate option between the U.S. and western Europe.

TAP’s growing U.S. map underscores Lisbon’s place as a gateway, and Orlando just made that picture a bit more vibrant.