TAP Air Portugal celebrates 80 years of Madrid-Lisbon route

TAP Air Portugal is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its inaugural commercial route between Madrid and Lisbon. The service first commenced on September 19, 1946, utilizing a Douglas DC-3 Dakota aircraft carrying 11 passengers.

To mark the milestone, the airline held symbolic ceremonies at both the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and the Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon. During a commemorative flight, passengers were presented with special Skyline collection socks created through a collaboration between TAP and the Portuguese brand Chulé.

Today, the route remains a strategic connection for the airline, operating as an air bridge with 49 weekly flights—averaging seven daily services—using Airbus and Embraer aircraft. The connection serves as a vital link for travelers in Spain to access TAP’s hub in Lisbon and its broader international network spanning Europe, Africa, and the Americas.