TAP dips into Premium Economy with initial neighbor-free offering

TAP Air Portugal is “always exploring opportunities” and that includes exploring the possibility of ultimately adopting a more traditional Premium Economy recliner product on its Airbus A330neos.

But for now, the Star Alliance member has found a way to offer Premium Economy without reconfiguring its long-range aircraft: it will provide neighbor-free seating on both its A330neo widebodies and its A321LR narrowbodies in the rows immediately after business class starting in summer 2026.

“This will be a new class and product, not an ‘add-on,’” in economy class, confirms a TAP spokesperson.

Frequent flyers are very familiar with neighbor-free products; after all, many European airlines have adopted this type of configuration as business class — the offering colloquially dubbed EuroBiz — on their single-aisle jets flying short- and medium-haul. And in the United States, low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines now offers a guaranteed empty middle seat in the first two rows of its A320 Family aircraft.

But TAP’s A330neos and A321LRs fly long-haul routes so its decision to use the first few rows of economy class to create a neighbor-free Premium Economy offering is notable, as it gives the airline the perfect opportunity to test the value proposition of Premium Economy without committing to a cabin refit and a recliner-type product at this time.

In what might be seen as a hint of what’s to come, TAP’s spokesperson, in confirming that no new seats or layouts are planned, offers the caveat “in this launch phase.”

Located right after business class on both aircraft types, TAP will offer 12 select neighbor-free seats arranged in a configuration of four seats per row, with the first row also benefitting from the fact that it’s configured as a ‘Comfort Area’ with additional legroom (32-34″ pitch as opposed to 31″ down back).

As such, passengers can expect a EuroBiz-type layout on the 3-3-configured A321LR with middle seats blocked to create the neighbor-free Premium Economy experience.

The A330neo’s 2-4-2 configuration also lends itself well to this scheme as one seat in each seat duo can be blocked and two seats within the quad (alternating or the center two) can be blocked.

TAP's economy class cabin on the A330neo with Recaro seats in grey and green and grey headrests.

The first four rows of seats on TAP’s A330neo twinjets (pictured) and A321LRs will offer neighbor-free Premium Economy seating. Image: Mary Kirby

This product, says TAP, “responds to evolving travel trends and the growing demand for enhanced well-being, privacy and differentiated services.” TAP is on the money with this assessment. As both Panasonic Avionics and design house PriestmanGoode have predicted, inflight wellbeing is having a serious and lasting moment nearly five years after the COVIC pandemic.

Wellness, says PriestmandGoode, is the new wealth in travel “shifting from a desirable amenity to a foundational design principle.” And travelers are increasingly prioritizing their health.

TAP’s new Premium Economy offering is not just about the hard product. The experience includes premium check-in, priority baggage, fast track security, and priority boarding, as well as bonus miles and flexible rebooking and refund conditions.

The airline says it will also offer an enhanced onboard service for Premium Economy passengers including what it describes as a “premium main meal with two hot dish options,” meal pre-selection up to 24 hours before departure, an amenity kit, a premium pillow and enhanced headphones.

It will be fascinating to see how passengers respond to TAP’s new Premium Economy experience after its summer launch, and whether a more traditional recliner product will be adopted in time.