Lisbon Emerges as Key Transatlantic Travel Hub for US Travelers

Lisbon Airport (LIS) has rapidly positioned itself as a vital gateway between North America and Europe. With its strategic location on the western edge of the continent, the airport provides some of the shortest flying times between the US and Europe, allowing travelers to bypass traditional hubs such as London, Paris, or Frankfurt. This shift has been driven by a surge in demand for travel to Portugal, bolstered by affordable prices and a favorable climate, making Lisbon an increasingly attractive option for transatlantic flights.

During the first half of 2025, airlines are expected to operate 90% more flights between the United States and Portugal compared to 2019. This growth outpaces expansion in many other European markets. Central to this development is TAP Air Portugal, the nation’s flag carrier, which has been expanding its route offerings, including new flights from Lisbon to Los Angeles and Porto to Boston. Many previously seasonal routes have transitioned to year-round operations, reflecting strong demand from leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travelers.

A Brief Overview of Lisbon Airport

Humberto Delgado Airport, situated just 4.3 miles (7 km) from downtown Lisbon, is one of the closest major airports to a city center in Europe. This proximity is crucial for US travelers, allowing for quick transfers to hotels or business meetings. The airport features a robust transportation network, including the Lisbon Metro, buses, and taxis, facilitating easy connections even for short layovers.

Despite being Europe’s 12th-busiest airport by passenger volume, handling over 35 million travelers in 2024, Lisbon Airport operates with a single runway, making it one of the busiest single-runway airports globally. This setup necessitates a highly efficient wave structure for arrivals and departures, creating competitive minimum connection times.

Lisbon Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1, the primary facility, caters to international flights, while Terminal 2 primarily serves low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet. TAP Air Portugal commands approximately 46% of the airport’s seat capacity, with Ryanair and easyJet contributing over 20% of traffic. This combination of full-service and low-cost airlines enhances connectivity for passengers traveling between North America and Europe.

TAP Air Portugal’s Role in Growth

TAP Air Portugal is instrumental in establishing Lisbon as a key transatlantic hub. As the flag carrier, it accounts for more than half of the nation’s long-haul capacity and offers over 88 destinations from Lisbon. The airline’s focus on North America, Brazil, and Lusophone Africa, paired with European routes, drives its expansion.

In 2024, TAP transported over 16 million passengers, with North American routes experiencing a 9% year-on-year growth. To capitalize on this demand, TAP has introduced new US gateways, including Los Angeles and flights from Porto to Boston. The airline aims to attract regional travelers and diversify its route network beyond Lisbon.

Frederic Gossot, TAP Air Portugal’s Director of Sales, commented on the airline’s strategic advantage: “Due to the geographical position of Portugal… there is really the entrance door to Europe. So, we have a lot of travelers who like to come to Portugal. It’s a shorter flying time.”

TAP’s fleet, comprising Airbus A321LR jets and Airbus A330neos, enables the airline to serve a mix of longer routes and maintain competitive unit costs, appealing to US travelers seeking efficient transatlantic crossings with onward connections.

One significant driver of Lisbon’s growth as a hub is the TAP Portugal Stopover program. This initiative allows travelers to include a free stopover in Lisbon or Porto for up to 10 days on eligible itineraries. This option transforms a single journey into an opportunity to explore two destinations without additional airfare costs.

Passengers benefit from access to discounted hotels and cultural attractions during their stopover. Recent enhancements to the program include a 2% discount on additional domestic flights within Portugal, encouraging visitors to explore regions like the Algarve, Madeira, or the Azores.

In the first half of 2025, over 193,000 passengers utilized the stopover option, reflecting a 74% year-on-year increase. The program’s popularity has notably risen among travelers from Brazil and the United States, bolstering hotel stays and restaurant spending in Lisbon.

Lisbon’s geographical advantage plays a crucial role in its appeal as a connecting hub. The airport is ideally located along great-circle routes between major regions, minimizing backtracking and travel time. The efficient scheduling of long-haul arrivals and departures facilitates seamless connections to Europe and Africa, typically allowing travelers to connect within 60 to 90 minutes.

TAP Air Portugal’s strong presence at the airport enhances connectivity through partnerships with airlines such as United Airlines, Air Canada, and Lufthansa. This collaboration extends the reach of Lisbon’s network, making it an essential hub for international travel.

Future Growth Plans for Lisbon Airport

To maintain its status as a premier transatlantic hub, Lisbon Airport must align its capacity with rising demand. Currently handling over 35 million passengers annually, the airport faces operational constraints, including strict nighttime curfews due to its urban location and reliance on a single runway.

In the short term, ANA, the airport management authority, is investing in facility upgrades. Plans include expanding Terminal 1 with additional boarding bridges and reconfigured circulation areas to alleviate congestion. The long-term solution involves constructing a new airport across the Tagus River in Alcochete, selected as the site for Lisbon’s next major airport in 2024. Scheduled to open in 2034, this new facility will feature two parallel runways and a capacity of up to 100 million passengers annually, positioning it as Lisbon’s primary gateway.

This expansion will enable TAP to continue developing its network in North America and Brazil, solidifying Lisbon’s role as a vital hub for transatlantic travel. The combination of geographic advantages, efficient operations, and strategic airline partnerships makes Lisbon Airport an increasingly competitive player in the global aviation landscape.