Star Alliance member TAP Portugal offers discounted business class fares from Heathrow & Gatwick to North America & Brazil. Prices start at €1,505 for flights to Rio de Janeiro. The flights require a layover in Porto or Lisbon, where free stopovers are possible.
More destinations:
- New York from €1,563
- Recife from €1,662
- Chicago from €1,674
An Airbus A319, A320 or A321 aircraft will take you from London to Porto or Lisbon and back. The two latter ones are most probably NEO versions of the respective airplane. The intercontinental flights are in most cases operated by TAP’s A330-900neo with their new business class that features a 1-2-1 seat configuration. The Points Guy wrote a comprehensive review about it. Partially, TAP may use their A330-200 airplanes with their old business class. Please be careful when booking. The flights to New York feature TAP’s A321neo airplanes with their new business class in a single-aisle and alternating 2-2 and 1-1 seat configuration.
Search & Book
The fare rules do not state any restrictions. You can add a stopover in Porto or Lisbon in both directions. There is no information about any expiry date of this deal.
There are available dates in every single month from January 2020 onwards. You can use Google Flights to find suiting flight dates (instructions). Using your results, you can either purchase your tickets at the online travel agents displayed by our flight search, Skyscanner, or directly through TAP‘s homepage. It’ll be much easier to include a stop
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Tickets are issued in booking class J. This is a regular business class fare. A London to Rio de Janeiro roundtrip earns you the following award mileage*:
- 27,154 Miles on Hainan Fortune Wings Club
- 23,176 Award Miles + 480 Points on Miles&More
- 23,008 Miles on Copa ConnectMiles
- 23,008 Miles on Ethiopian ShebaMiles
- 23,008 Award Miles + 11,504 Tier Miles on Avianca LifeMiles
- 23,008 Miles on Aegean Miles+Bonus
- 23,008 Miles on Egyptair Plus
- 19,558 Miles on Azul TodoAzul
- 17,256 Miles on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- 17,256 Award Miles on Emirates Skywards
- 17,256 Extra Points on SAS EuroBonus
- 17,256 Miles on Air Canada Aeroplan
- 17,256 Miles on TAP Miles&Go
- 17,256 Points + 3,450 SQC on Air Canada Aeroplan 2026
- 14,954 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 14,382 Award Miles + 2,398 PQP on United MileagePlus
- 14,382 Miles on Asiana Club
- 14,382 Miles on EVA Infinity MileageLands
- 14,382 Miles on Thai Royal Orchid Plus
- 14,382 Miles on ANA Mileage Club
- 14,382 Miles on Singapore KrisFlyer
- 11,504 Award Miles on Etihad Guest
- Customize Calculation
Information & Tips for Brazil
Brazil is famous for attractions like the Amazon rainforest, the vibrant cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and natural landmarks like Iguazu Falls and Pantanal. The currency is the Brazilian real (BRL), and credit cards are commonly accepted in most places. The price level can vary—major cities and tourist spots can be expensive, but other areas offer more affordable options. Brazil’s weather is tropical, with hot, humid summers, especially in coastal regions, while southern areas experience milder winters. The best time to visit is generally during the dry season, from May to October.
Brazil’s transport infrastructure varies across the country. In major cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, public transport includes buses, metros, and taxis, though traffic congestion can make getting around slow at times. Ride-hailing apps are widely used and convenient. For intercity travel, long-distance buses are a common, affordable option, but they can be slow. Domestic flights are popular for longer distances, offering quick access to destinations like the Amazon or coastal areas. However, outside major cities, transportation options may be less frequent or reliable, requiring more planning.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as Airalo and Maya Mobile. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Brazil 🇧🇷 Compared
→ All Dealz for Brazil
Information & Tips for USA
The United States offers a wide range of tourist sights, from national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. The currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and card payments are widely accepted. Prices vary by region but can be high in major cities, especially for accommodation and dining. Weather differs greatly across the country—winters can be harsh in the north, while the south often stays mild; summers are generally hot and humid in many areas.
The U.S. transport infrastructure is highly car-dependent, especially outside major cities. Urban centres like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco have functional public transit, but many other cities have limited options. Between cities, domestic flights are common for long distances, while intercity buses and Amtrak trains cover some routes, though often with slower speeds and less frequency compared to other countries. Without a car, getting around can be inconvenient in many parts of the country.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as Knowroaming and Ubigi. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for the USA 🇺🇸 Compared
→ All Dealz for USA
Cover Picture: © TAP Portugal