Published
June 21, 2025
Updated
August 1, 2026
TAP Air Portugal's settlement paid full refunds plus 7% on approved pandemic-era canceled-flight claims. The court granted final approval in October 2025, and the administrator confirms payments were sent May 15, 2026.
Current Status
Claims are closed. The deadline was August 5, 2025, the court granted final approval after the October 23, 2025 hearing, and cash settlement payments were sent to class members with complete and valid claims on May 15, 2026. This is no longer an open refund application. A former claimant with a payment question should use the administrator information on the official site rather than submit documents to OpenClassActions.StatusPayments Sent on Valid Claims
Payment DateMay 15, 2026
Former BenefitFull Eligible Refund Plus 7%
Claim DeadlineAugust 5, 2025 — Passed
What Was the TAP Air Portugal Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit concerned flights canceled by Transportes Aéreos Portugueses, commonly called TAP Air Portugal, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plaintiffs alleged that TAP did not provide full cash refunds after customers requested them and instead delayed, denied, or provided other remedies. TAP denied wrongdoing and liability. The settlement resolved the disputed refund claims without a trial and required cash relief for approved class-member submissions.Who Was Included?
The settlement class generally covered people who purchased TAP airfare from March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, whose flights TAP canceled, and who requested but did not receive a full refund. The definition excluded specified company insiders, governmental entities, court personnel, and people who validly excluded themselves. A traveler whose flight operated normally, who canceled voluntarily under unrelated fare rules, or who already received a full refund did not automatically qualify.What Was the Settlement Benefit?
TAP agreed to provide approved claimants a full refund for eligible canceled travel plus an additional 7% cash payment. For example, a verified $1,000 unpaid eligible ticket amount produced a $1,070 benefit under the formula. The example did not guarantee that every traveler had a $1,000 claim; the calculation depended on the unpaid qualifying ticket purchase and administrator review.What Proof Was Required?
The claim process asked for information and documentation showing the TAP purchase, the airline's cancellation, the request for a refund, and the amount that remained unpaid. Records could include booking confirmations, receipts, carrier correspondence, payment statements, or prior refund information. Documents could be redacted where appropriate. A claim had to be complete and timely by August 5, 2025, so finding an archived form now does not create eligibility.What Did Claimants Release?
A class member who stayed in the settlement was bound by the release covering the resolved canceled-flight refund claims. Submitting a valid claim was the only route to a payment. A person who did nothing received no cash while remaining subject to the settlement judgment, unless they had timely excluded themselves. The exclusion and objection deadline was September 15, 2025.Final Approval and Payment Timeline
The court held the final approval hearing on October 23, 2025 and granted final approval the same day. The administrator later updated the homepage and FAQ to confirm that payments to class members with timely, complete, and valid claims were sent on May 15, 2026. That direct update supports a payments-sent status rather than the older language describing only a proposed settlement or future hearing.What If a Traveler Expected a Payment?
A payment issue may involve claim validity, the amount previously refunded, contact information, or delivery method. Former claimants should preserve their confirmation and supporting travel records and follow the current instructions on the official administrator site. Do not pay a third party to release a TAP settlement payment, and do not send passport, card, or itinerary records to OpenClassActions.Where to Verify the Current Status
The official TAP Air Portugal settlement site confirms the class definition, approval date, former deadlines, benefit formula, and May 2026 distribution. Its FAQ and court documents control over older articles that still display a claim button or describe the October hearing as upcoming.Official Information
Review the latest information on the official TAP Air Portugal settlement website.
Case
Tower v. Transportes Aéreos Portugueses, S.A.
Case Number
2:22-cv-06746-JKS-SDA
Court
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Class Period
March 1, 2020–December 31, 2021
Claim Deadline
August 5, 2025
Final Approval
October 23, 2025
Payments Sent
May 15, 2026
Official Website
official TAP Air Portugal settlement
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