MIAMI, Aug. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAP Air Portugal, the 72 year-old Portuguese national carrier, today is debuting its first “retro” aircraft livery in Miami, after a flight from Lisbon, featuring an aircraft design it first used in the 1950s. The aircraft, an A330, has been named “Portugal” as a tribute to both Portugal and its people.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f8f9b353-6f2e-435e-b91c-f35dcb0b03b2
The classic image chosen for this aircraft recreates the original ‘Transportes Aéreos Portugueses’ typography in the colors which were first displayed on a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, received by TAP in July of 1955. The last aircraft in this livery was a Boeing 727-200.
But the retro look-back comes at a time when more people than ever are flying TAP. The airline flew 1.4 million people worldwide in July, up 21%, and has doubled traffic from the US year over year. In 2017, so far TAP has flown 1.6 million more passengers than in the same period last year.
TAP has a fleet of 53 new aircraft on order for delivery starting in 2018, including 14 A330-900 neo aircraft, and 39 A320 neo family aircraft also. The airline is expanding capacity as it opens new routes.
This is the second TAP aircraft that has received the name of the country. The first one to be called “Portugal” was a Boeing 747-200, delivered to TAP in February of 1972.
The entire retro flight will be like taking a trip back through the 70s. The cabin crew will wear some of the airline’s most emblematic uniforms, designed by French stylist Louis Féraud. The interior of the cabin, the headrests, meals and even the in-flight entertainment have all been remade, in 70s style.
TAP even went through its museum to find some original menus of the time, where one could find shrimp salad and pheasant terrine, codfish à Zé do pipo, the sirloin à portuguesa, and a banana parfait with chocolate for dessert.
Passengers will also be surprised by the retro branding of some of products being served, namely Coca Cola and Sagres beer, collaborating with TAP on this voyage back in time.
In Business Class, the usual amenity bag given to passengers will feature its iconic fabric case that was given out in the 1970s. This retro flight bag is now stocked with 70’s-designed products including lavender cologne, hand cream, toothpaste and pyjamas.
Films from the 1970s will be shown via inflight entertainment, as well as a golden oldies music channel.
About TAP Portugal
TAP is Portugal’s leading airline, and member of Star Alliance, the global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach, since 2005. In operation since 1945, TAP celebrated 70 years on March 14, 2015, and has completed its privatization process in 2015, with the Atlantic Gateway Group now as a new private shareholder. TAP hub in Lisbon is a key European gateway at the crossroads of Africa, North, Central and South America, where TAP stands out as the international leading carrier in operation to Brazil. As of Summer 2017 on the company’s network will comprise 84 destinations in 34 countries worldwide. TAP currently operates about 2,500 weekly flights in average on a modern fleet of 63 Airbus aircraft and 17 aircraft in TAP Express livery, operating in the company’s regional network, adding up to an 80 aircraft fleet in the whole.
Within the vast restructure program currently going across the company as the outcome of its privatization process, TAP restructured its network, launched new fare products and has announced, among other news, its medium and long haul fleet renewal program as of 2018 and the retrofit of the fleet currently in operation as well as the launch of the new branded product TAP Express, which replaced PGA and operates a new fleet of 8 ATR 72 and 9 Embraer 190.
In the pursuit of its customer focused policy, TAP continuously strives to deliver safe, reliable and upgraded products & services, tailored to meet customers’ expectations. Retaining the Portuguese character of the Company’s brand and quality service as the basic concept has been the main driver of TAP strategy in most recent years. Recognized and awarded as the Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa as well as Europe’s Leading Airline to South America by the World Travel Awards in 2016, 2015 and 2014, the company was also awarded as the WTA World’s Leading Airline to Africa in 2011 and 2012 and the WTA World’s Leading Airline to South America in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, while the company’s In-flight magazine UP also received the WTA award as Europe’s Leading In-flight Magazine in 2015 and 2016. Voted Best Airline in Europe in 2011, 2012,2013, 2015 and 2016 by the Global Traveler, USA, the company was also honored by UNESCO and by the International Union of Geological Sciences with the IYPE “Planet Earth Award 2010”, in the category of “Most Innovative Sustainable Product”. TAP was also voted Best Airline by Condé Nast Traveller Magazine in 2010 and Best Portuguese Tourism Company by the specialized magazine Marketeer, in 2011.