Business Class Flights to Azores, Portugal

An archipelago made up of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between

Europe and North America, the Azores are part of Portugal. The islands that make up the

Azores are Flores, Corvo, Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, São Miguel, Santa Maria, and

the small Formigas islands. Most residents of the Azores speak Portuguese and are Portuguese

citizens. The Azores are mostly rural, and agriculture, fishing, and tourism are the islands’ main

industries.

Most flights to the Azores arrive at Joao Paulo II International Airport (PDL), located on the

island of Sao Miguel in the city of Ponta Delgada, the islands’ largest municipality. Named after

Pope John Paul II, the airport is the islands’ largest and only commercial airport. Joao Paulo II

International Airport serves flights from several large cities in Europe and North America,

including London, Newark, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Madrid, Zurich, and Montreal.

Cheap flights to the Azores are sometimes available on low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and

Smartwings. Some Azores Islands flights are seasonal, operating only during the busy summer

tourist season, which is typically June through September.

Passengers who fly to the Azores whose final destination is on an island other than Sao Miguel

can book tickets to Azores islands departing from Joao Paulo II International Airport. These local

flights often depart a few times a day arriving at the islands’ small airports. Transportation

between the Azores’ islands is also available via ferry boat. Though flights can be quicker, ferry boats offer a scenic view that many tourists prefer. 

Tourists who fly to the Azores come to the islands to enjoy the region’s beach resorts and to

experience the local culture. The islands host several religious and cultural festivals each year.

The island of Pico hosts an annual wine harvest festival in September that is popular with

visitors. The islands’ Carnival festivities, held during the week leading up to Lent, also attract

many foreign visitors.

On the island of São Miguel is Lagoa das Sete Cidades, or “Lagoon of Seven Cities.” It’s a lake in the crater of a long-dormant volcano and a beautiful sight for visitors to explore. Tourists who fly to Azores can visit it, taking in its vivid green and blue color. 

On Terceica, the city of Angra do Heroismo is one of the three capital cities of Azores. Historically, it was the most important city of the cluster of islands, serving as the sea of various government entities, as well as maintaining a status of being a stopover destination between Europe, North America, and Africa. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Angra is rich in history and cultural context. At one point in time, the commercial port of Angra served as an important destination and launching point for trade between Portugal and the East Indies. 

For those taking Azores island flights between numerous destinations, the famous cheese of São Jorge is worth the trip to this lesser-visited location. What it lacks in accessibility and beachy resorts, São Jorge makes up for in beautiful scenery, rocky locations, and opportunities for spelunking. 

For mountain climbers, Pico has the highest top in all of Portugal. It’s also a famous destination for whale watching. Pico’s history with whales doesn’t end there. The island is also home to the Museu dos Baleeiros, or “Whaler’s Museum,” which offers a fascinating history of whaling in the Azores in a repurposed processing plant. 

Adventurers who book tickets to the Azores in search of floral explorations should look no further than the island of Flores, which literally gets its name from flowers. Formerly a hideout for pirates, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve has beautiful goldenrods, hydrangeas, waterfalls, and more.