Europe

How to Fly to the Azores from the US

Flights to the Azores from the US

Despite their relative proximity to the US, the Azores have not yet come close to attaining the level of trendiness and popularity that Iceland has reached in recent years.  The Portuguese archipelago, located about 850 miles off the coast of mainland Portugal, receives its fair share of European visitors, but options for traveling to the Azores from the US have historically been very limited. That has somewhat changed recently, but there are still only a couple of direct routes for getting to the Azores from the US. All flights will be in/out of Ponta Delgada (largest city in the Azores located on Sao Miguel Island) and once there, SATA offers short flights to each of the eight other Azorean islands.

how to fly to the azores from the us
Boca del Inferno

Read More: Top Things to do on Sao Miguel Island


Where are the Azores???

how to get to the azores from the US
The Azores are located in the North Atlantic, 850 miles off the coast of Portugal.

Option 1: Boston – Ponta Delgada (Azores Airlines)

 
Flying nonstop from Boston to Ponta Delgada on Azores Airlines (the international arm of SATA) has historically been the easiest way to get from the US to the Azores. Given Massachusetts’ huge Azorean/Portuguese population, it makes sense that there would consistently be direct flights connecting the two regions. Flights from Boston to Ponta Delgada only last about 4.5 hours and the only available flight is a daily redeye that leaves at 9:20 PM and arrives in the Azores at 6:00 AM (expect to be tired on your first day). Prices vary widely depending on dates and season. We flew round-trip in February for about $500 each, but summer flights (peak season) are routinely north of $1,000 per round-trip ticket.
how to fly to the Azores from the us
SATA route map
 

Option 2: NYC – Ponta Delgada (Delta)

 
Delta started flying direct from JFK to Ponta Delgada in May, 2018. This is a major development that, for better or for worse, is expected to significantly boost tourism from the US. As the program currently stands, this route will only be offered May-August, but Delta has indicated that this could become a year-round route in the future. Prices range from the $600’s to well over $1,000 for a round-trip ticket depending on travel dates.
 

Option 3: Oakland – Ponta Delgada (Azores Airlines)

 
Direct flights from Oakland to Ponta Delgada are only offered from June – September. This is a long flight and not in the least bit inexpensive.
 

Option 4: Providence – Ponta Delgada (Azores Airlines)

 
Azores Airlines offers nonstop flights from Providence, Rhode Island’s T.F. Green Airport to Ponta Delgada every Friday between June 8 and September 8. Flights tend to be expensive (usually over $1,000 round-trip, although sometimes you can find flights in the $600’s if you’re lucky). The one advantage this route has over Boston is that it is an afternoon flight rather than a redeye.
 

Option 5: Connecting flight in Lisbon

 
Flying from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada is only about a 2 hour flight and is generally inexpensive. The more expensive leg of the flight is obviously getting to Lisbon from your point of origin in the US. RyanAir, Azores Airlines and TAP Air Portugal all offer nonstop flights from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada.
how to fly to the azores



If you happen to live in New England, then you have the clearest, most direct path to getting to the Azores any time of the year. New York, Providence, and Oakland are all additional summer options, and if you live anywhere else in the US, you’ll need a connecting flight in one of these cities (or Lisbon).  Azores Airlines also offers nonstop flights from Toronto and Montreal for our neighbors north of the border. While finding affordable flights to the Azores can be difficult, particularly in the summer, it isn’t impossible; however, you might have to be flexible in terms of dates.
fly to the azores from the US
Sao Miguel Island from the plane

17 Comments

  4. liolesen

    The Azores have been a popular destination among European tourists for some time now, but unfortunately I haven’t been yet. I looks like it is a beautiful place.

  5. Mei & Kerstin 👭🌍 (@_travelwithmk)

    We live in Europe, so wouldn’t think about flying to the Azores from the US. However, we must say that Lisbon Airport is one of the best! We’ve been there twice, once for a connecting flight to Miami, and one with Lisbon as final destination, and loved taking time to walk around in this airport. Lots of interesting shops and restaurants, and especially not crowded at all!

  6. pinkcaddytraveloguegmailcom

    I’m currently planning a trip to Portugal from the U.S. I’d love to go to the Azores as part of the trip, but the flights are definitely out of my price-range right now!!

  7. Chris Behrsin

    The Azores has always been an appealing location for me and reading this, I’m kind of glad I’m European :). No flights from the northwest and the southeast is a bit of a bummer, really. That’s a beautiful photo of the lagoons, by the way.

  9. Mel Butler

    I have never been to Azores but it is definitely on my bucketlst and even though I am based in London it is still not an easy way of getting there for us. Those lagoons look stunning and what an amazing view from Boca del Inferno

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