TAP Portugal has unveiled a new retro livery this month, dressing an Airbus A330 in classic 1950s styling. The design revives the typography and color palette first seen on a Lockheed Super Constellation in 1955. The aircraft, emblazoned with Transportes Aéreos Portugueses, carries the name “Portugal” — making it the second TAP aircraft to bear the country’s name, following a Boeing 747-200 from 1972. The overall aesthetic draws primary inspiration from the 1950s era.
The vintage theme extends beyond the exterior. Cabin crew will wear retro-inspired uniforms created by French designer Louis Féraud, and the cabin environment is tailored to the period with coordinated interiors, classic-style meals, and in-flight entertainment featuring films and music from the decade. Some of the onboard food and beverage offerings include packaging that echoes 1970s branding, such as select Coca-Cola items and Sagres beer. Business-class amenity kits also reflect the throwback concept, offering period-style items like lavender-scented cologne.
While the retro livery and onboard experience are headline features, TAP is also celebrating robust passenger growth. In July the airline carried a record 1.4 million passengers, representing a 21 percent increase overall and a doubling of traffic originating from the United States compared with the previous year.
To support continued expansion, TAP has ordered 53 new aircraft, with scheduled deliveries beginning in 2018. The fleet renewal includes 14 A330-900neo widebodies and 39 A320neo-family narrowbodies, a mix intended to strengthen long-haul and short- to medium-haul capacity as the airline grows its network and passenger volumes.