Flying to Sao Tome and Principe

September 16, 2010 12:28 PM

How best to fly to São Tomé and Príncipe? Airlines, routes?

I'm trying to book a flight to the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe for later this month and it's proving (as I expected) a little difficult.

Has anyone ever flown there and would be able to recommend any of the few airlines that actually service this small country?

posted by fso to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

TAP flies there apparently.
posted by gyusan at 12:50 PM on September 16, 2010

Not a lot of options. You don't say where you are flying from.
TAP is an OK airline which operates mainly from Lisbon.
posted by adamvasco at 1:50 PM on September 16, 2010

This is the perfect situation for a real live travel agent.
posted by bgrebs at 1:54 PM on September 16, 2010

Iberica Travel Agency would seem a logical choice in Ottawa.
posted by bgrebs at 1:57 PM on September 16, 2010

Assuming you're coming from North America, I wouldn't assume you'd be using it — but TAAG Angola was banned from EU airspace not too long ago due to safety concerns. The ban was partially lifted in 2009 and completely lifted earlier this year, so in theory you shouldn't be worried about it. All the same, if I was in your position and all other things were equal, I'd avoid flying with them.
posted by Johnny Assay at 2:54 PM on September 16, 2010

Moreover, CEIBA Intercontinental is banned in the EU for similar concerns, and Air Service Gabon ceased operations last month. STP is technically banned from EU airspace too, but their flights are operated by a Portuguese charter company so they can still sell flights to Lisbon.

If I were you, I'd go with TAP.
posted by Johnny Assay at 3:01 PM on September 16, 2010

Regarding how to get to Lisbon: SATA flies direct to Lisbon (LIS) from Toronto (YYZ) year-round with seasonal flights from Montreal (YUL).
posted by armage at 5:17 PM on September 16, 2010

Beware of TAP. While it is my country's airline, they are practicing crazy overbooking in flights to Africa. I got royally screwed by them not a week ago. The Visa for the african country I am in right now only allowed a 3 day period for entry, cost a lot of effort and money (regular costs and bribes) and I nearly lost it all because TAP are some greedy bastards.
posted by CautionToTheWind at 2:21 AM on September 17, 2010

Also, if you are get screwed by overbooking like I was, you are entitled to an alternate flight, hotel for the waiting period, meals and taxi to the hotel and back to the airport. You are also entitled to an immediate 600€ compensation, to be paid right there in cash as soon as the flight situation is decided. But you have to ask for it at customer service, or they will "forget".
posted by CautionToTheWind at 2:29 AM on September 17, 2010