Airlines and services The Azores

Ponta Delgada is linked to the USA, Canada, Madeira, Portugal, France and other European countries by SATA Azores Airlines, which also has a monopoly on inter-island connections. For flights to and within the archipelago, visit their website (many departures daily). In winter, one or two direct flights (4h) a week between Paris and Ponta Delgada. In summer, there are many more. Unquestionably professional staff, tinged, not least, with a friendliness that is becoming rare in the age of low-cost flights.

TAP Air Portugal is one of the airlines able to take you to the Azores from Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille or Nice. After a stopover in Lisbon or Porto, you can choose to land in Ponta Delgada (island of São Miguel), Horta (island of Faial), Madalena (island of Pico) or Lajes (island of Terceira). You can then fly to other islands with SATA Azores Airlines. Inter-island connections are relatively good, but flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

From Ponta Delgada International Airport, all the islands in the archipelago are served. This is also where you will land with your international flight. More connections are provided by TAP via Lisbon or Porto from Paris. It is the largest airport in the archipelago. You will find car rental companies, ATMs, souvenir shops and food and drink. It is 4 km from the city centre and it will take you 15 minutes by car to reach it.

TAP Air Portugal is one of the airlines that can take you to the Azores from Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille or Nice. After a stopover in Lisbon or Porto, you can choose to land in Ponta Delgada (island of São Miguel), Horta (island of Faial), Madalena (island of Pico) or Lajes (island of Terceira). You can then travel to other islands with SATA. Inter-island connections are relatively good, but flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

Faial airport is well equipped for international flights. SATA Azores Airlines (regional) and TAP Air Portugal (national) operate daily. It is the most important civil airport in the central group of the Azores archipelago. From Faial, you can fly direct to almost any island in the archipelago. The airport is less than 10 km from Horta town center. On site: car rental, cash dispenser, snack bar... Wifi is available throughout the airport.

From France, Azores Airlines, the regular Azorean airline, operates up to 3 direct flights a year between Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, in just 4 hours, aboard a 186-seat Airbus 321 Neo (meals served on board). Inter-island connections are then operated by SATA Air Açores. From mainland Portugal, daily flights are operated from Lisbon and Porto to various islands in the archipelago. There are also flights to Canada, the USA, Cape Verde and Madeira.

A small airport, like almost all the islands of the archipelago, but an airport nevertheless! In winter (and even sometimes in summer), it is not uncommon for planes to be unable to land or take off because of the wind. It is possible to be stuck on the island for a few days: the record is five days, but in general two days of waiting are not impossible. Above all, don't complain, these small problems will make good memories later. The few shopkeepers in the hall live to the rhythm of arrivals and departures and open according to that.

Small airport on the island of Santa Maria. You'll land in the main town, at Vila do Porto. So it's easy to get to the city center. Likewise, on the day of departure, there's no need to leave hours in advance, as the airport is only a few minutes from town. There are a number of amenities in the concourse, including car rental. The airport is bustling with arrivals and departures. Once you've disembarked, you'll be immediately immersed in the atmosphere of Santa Maria, where everything is small and simple.

Connections include Lisbon and Porto, and most of the islands of the archipelago. Lajes is the former major US base, which has been somewhat sidelined in recent years, even though the "coalition" of Americans, British and Spanish met here on March 16 and 17, 2003 to discuss the "Iraq affair", just before deciding to bomb Baghdad. The best way to get to the airport from downtown Angra is by cab. You can also leave your rental car here, as there are numerous car rental agencies.

Graciosa airport (or rather aerodrome!) is very small, but large enough to accommodate the regular flights of the local Azorean airline SATA. Don't be frightened when you see the runway from the window - the pilots are used to it. The arrivals and departures hall does house a couple of car rental stands. The airport is just 2 km from the island's main town, Santa Cruz de Graciosa. So you're within easy reach of all amenities, and on the day of departure, you'll be at the airfield in no time!

From France, SATA Azores Airlines only flies to Ponta Delgada (by direct flight or via Lisbon or Porto): you'll then need to take another inter-island flight to Faial (Horta). From Ponta Delgada, it's about a 1-hour flight to Faial. The route operates several times a day, depending on the season, and it's even possible to make the round trip in the same day. Please note that flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

TAP Air Portugal is one of the airlines that can take you to the Azores from Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille or Nice. After a stopover in Ponta Delgada (on the island of São Miguel), you'll land in Lajes, on the island of Terceira. You can then fly to other islands with SATA Azores Airlines, which has a monopoly on inter-island flights in the archipelago. Inter-island connections are relatively good, but flights can be cancelled or delayed due to the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

From France, the SATA flight to the Azores is only to Ponta Delgada (often via Lisbon or Porto): you'll then need to take another inter-island flight to Pico. From Ponta Delgada, it's about a 50-minute flight to Pico (non-stop). The route operates several times a week, depending on the season, but you can't make the round trip in a day. Please note that flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

Terceira is linked to the USA, Canada, Madeira, Portugal and other European countries by SATA Azores Airlines, which also has a monopoly on inter-island connections. From France, however, you can only fly to the Azores from Ponta Delgada: you'll then need to take another flight to Terceira. Terceira has direct flights to all the other islands in the archipelago, except Santa Maria and Corvo. Inter-island flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

The first studies were carried out in 1946 and it was only on 5 May 1976 that the airstrip and terminal building began to be built on the island of Pico, under the initiative of the Portuguese army, but under the administration of the Regional Government of the Azores. Today, Pico Airport's recent infrastructure allows it to fully embrace the modern tourist era. On site: car rental companies, ATMs, snack bars, souvenir shops... A "real" little airport!

From France, SATA Azores Airlines flies direct to the Azores only to Ponta Delgada. To get to the other islands, you'll need to either take an inter-island flight from Ponta Delgada, or fly via Lisbon or Porto to the other islands. Inter-island passes available at reduced rates. For travel to and within the archipelago, visit the airline's website. Please note that flights to the Azores are always highly dependent on weather conditions. It is sometimes impossible to take off!

From France, SATA Azores Airlines only flies to Ponta Delgada (often via Lisbon or Porto): you'll then need to take another inter-island flight to Graciosa. This route is operated several times a week, most of the time with a stopover; direct flights are few and far between. Please note that flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores. You won't always be sure of taking off!

From France, SATA Azores Airlines only flies to Ponta Delgada (direct or via Lisbon or Porto). You will then need to take another inter-island flight to reach São Jorge. From Ponta Delgada, it's about a 1-hour flight to São Jorge (direct flight). The route is operated several times a day, depending on the season, and it is now possible to make the round trip during the day. Flights can be disrupted by the sometimes capricious weather conditions in the Azores.

Ponta Delgada airport's convenient shuttle service is provided by Agence ANC. When you arrive, ask directly at the orange counter located inside the airport. The line serves 21 stops, including the main hotels (Hotel Marina Atlantico, Hotel Azoris Royal Garden, Hotel VIP Executive...) and the city's points of interest (São Bras fort, São Pedro church...). See the complete list on the Internet. Please note that the shuttle operates on reservation only: contact the company to arrange a time.

From France, SATA Azores Airlines only flies to Ponta Delgada (direct or via Lisbon or Porto): you'll then need to take another inter-island flight to Corvo. In summer, there's an almost daily service, with at least one stopover. In winter, there are only a few flights a week, with two stopovers. The journey is long! Flights can be disrupted by weather conditions: you can't always be sure of getting off the ground!