Newark to Helsinki
Business Class

Polaris lounge access, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding

Nordic design, sustainable dining

Flagship A350 suites, German precision service

Istanbul lounge, DO&CO catering

Always check aircraft type before booking a long-haul TAP flight — the A330-900neo delivers a proper lie-flat business seat, while the A321LR/XLR (used on some U.S. and thinner transatlantic routes) offers only a recliner-style seat without full flat-bed comfort. For the best experience, prioritize routes operated by the A330neo and consider a Lisbon stopover to explore the city's growing food scene, which the airline's onboard dining tries to echo.

Always check your specific aircraft before booking a long-haul Austrian flight — the 787-9 offers a newer cabin than some of the airline's 777s, and the difference in seat comfort and privacy is significant. If you have a long Vienna layover, the Austrian Airlines lounges at VIE Terminal 3 are worth arriving early for, particularly for the Sacher torte and Austrian wine selection.

The single most important thing to check before booking is aircraft type: ITA's Airbus A350-900s carry the modern 1-2-1 business class seat with direct aisle access, while several remaining A330-200s still operate the older Alitalia-era 2-2-2 configuration without aisle access for every passenger. Use ITA's own site or a flight-tracking tool to confirm the equipment before ticketing, and where possible favor A350 routes such as Rome–New York JFK or Rome–Los Angeles for the newer cabin.