Continental and TAP(Air Portugal, also code shares the United Flight) have direct flights from NYC to Lisbon. Anyone ever traveled either coach or business and have comments? Im wondering which might be a nicer flight, newer plane, better food, service etc etc. Any help is MUCH APPRECIATED!

I fly biz on continental whenever I go overseas ands I really like their biz class. they fly direct fron newark to Lisbon.

Continental flys out of Liberty Intn'l in Newark. I have flown them several times (Economy Class) EWR-LIS. When I flew them it was a B-757 and they were quite full (lots of Portuguese people in N.J.).

US Airways is starting direct service Philadelphia to Lisbon in May, in case that might be more convenient for you. It will probably be an Airbus A-320 (widebody). I'vr been following that closely in case they have some 'promotional' specials when they start up their new services

Ned.

I am flying from PIT-PHL-LIS on US Airways in October. It is their seasonal service.
So far they are listing the aircraft as a 757-200. I was hoping it would be an airbus instead. It has a three-three seating configuration.
The new service has already been announced.
We have had our tickets since Feburary 13. We are using miles. I have been watching the prices from here just for my own information and the least expensive flights have been listed as $699 plus tax, etc.

If you're flying coach it's basically all the same as long as it's a first world airline - and you're better off taking your own food - even a decent sandwich - for dinner.

Flights and equipment change so frequently - often at the last moment - that there is really no way of telling you much about seating or amenities on your flight. (But the airline web site will tell you what your optimum will be.)

And yes - have done NYC Lisbon twice - 1 RT and 1 one-way - none memorable in any way except for the terrorism alerts (and presence of about half the Portugese army) and extra security measures on the way home due to bombing going on in Israel at the time.

I have flown both airlines in both coach & business.

Economy class:

TAP's seats are wider with more legroom. Their widebody has 2 aisles in 2-4-2 config. Continental B757 has 1 aisle w/ 3seats on each side.

TAP offers free wine, beer & soda, as well as free headsets. Both have good food service.

TAP flies older Airbus 310's & brand new 330's. Co has only the Boeing 757's.

Service on TAP is spotty, often downright rude. Continental usually wins w/their Texan hospitality.

Business class:

On TAP, you're in luck if you get the new planes. (They have 42 seats!)The old ones often have video or audio problems and sometimes broken chairs. On Continental, there are only 8 seats- 2 on each side of the aisle.

Service in business clas: see above.

Hope this helps...

Continental's BusinessFirst is one of the better business-class products out there. Not totally flat seat, but generally pretty comfy. Even on the 757.

Coach on the 757 is another matter. Avoid if possible.

So, IMHO, business class = CO; coach = TAP.

THANK YOU for your replies. They have been VERY helpful!

Ned. US Airways is having promotional fares to Lisbon.
I receive Smarter Travel and they sent me an email.
Book by April 22. Travel this summer.