Updated October 2026 • 9 min read
Almost every trip to the Azores starts with a flight into Ponta Delgada (PDL) on São Miguel. From North America, Azores Airlines flies non-stop from Boston and Toronto all year and from New York and Montreal on a seasonal or reduced schedule, with United, Air Canada and WestJet adding summer flights; the crossing takes about five hours. From mainland Portugal, TAP and Azores Airlines fly from Lisbon and Porto several times a day in about two and a half hours. From the rest of Europe, direct flights run mostly from spring to autumn, in four to four and a half hours. Ryanair stopped flying to the Azores in March 2026.
This page covers how to get to the islands. For flights between the nine islands once you are there, see our inter-island flights guide.
Which Airport to Fly Into
The Azores have five airports that receive flights from outside the archipelago, but one does most of the work. Ponta Delgada (PDL), João Paulo II Airport on São Miguel, handled about 3.3 million passengers in 2024 and receives nearly all transatlantic and European flights; it is five minutes from the centre of Ponta Delgada and the obvious arrival point for a first trip. Terceira (TER), at Lajes, receives flights from Lisbon and Porto and some North American services, and is the gateway to the central islands. Horta (HOR) on Faial and Pico (PIX) receive flights from Lisbon, mostly in summer. Santa Maria (SMA) has a few weekly flights from Lisbon. Flores and Corvo are reached only by inter-island flights.
For most visitors the rule is simple: fly into Ponta Delgada, and if you want to see more islands, connect onwards with SATA Air Açores, which runs the inter-island network.
Flights from the United States and Canada
The Azores are the closest part of Europe to North America, and the flight from the East Coast is shorter than a domestic flight from Boston to Los Angeles.
From Boston (BOS): Azores Airlines flies non-stop to Ponta Delgada all year, several times a week, in just under five hours. This is the main North American gateway to the islands, with connections from across the US via Boston. Some flights also continue to or from Terceira.
From New York (JFK and Newark): Azores Airlines flies from JFK, with more frequencies in summer, and United flies seasonally from Newark. Flight time is about five hours.
From Toronto (YYZ): Azores Airlines flies all year, and Air Canada and WestJet add seasonal summer flights. Flight time is five to five and a half hours. Toronto is home to a large Azorean community, so flights fill early around the summer holidays and Christmas.
From Montreal (YUL): Azores Airlines flies seasonally.
Schedules change from year to year, and the North American routes are the ones most often adjusted, so check the current season before planning around a specific day. The time difference is four hours ahead of New York and Toronto for most of the year.
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Lisbon is the busiest route to the Azores, with TAP Air Portugal and Azores Airlines flying several times a day to Ponta Delgada in about two and a half hours, and daily or near-daily flights to Terceira, Horta, Pico and Santa Maria. Porto has daily flights to Ponta Delgada and Terceira with the same two airlines. This makes a Lisbon stopover easy to build into any trip, in either direction.
Ryanair, which had flown from Lisbon, Porto, London Stansted and Brussels Charleroi since 2015, ended all its Azores routes on 29 March 2026. If you read an older guide that recommends Ryanair to the islands, that information is out of date.
Flights from the UK and the Rest of Europe
Direct flights from elsewhere in Europe are mostly seasonal, running roughly from spring to October:
- United Kingdom: British Airways flies from London Heathrow in season; otherwise connect via Lisbon or Porto.
- Germany: Lufthansa and Azores Airlines from Frankfurt; Eurowings from Düsseldorf.
- France: Azores Airlines from Paris Charles de Gaulle, all year.
- Netherlands and Belgium: Transavia from Amsterdam and, in season, Brussels.
- Spain: Azores Airlines from Barcelona; Iberia from Madrid in summer.
- Switzerland and Austria: Edelweiss from Zurich and Austrian from Vienna, in summer.
- Others: Smartwings from Prague, Binter from Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and Azores Airlines from Funchal (Madeira) and Praia (Cape Verde).
Flight times are four to four and a half hours from London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Outside summer, the reliable route from anywhere in Europe is via Lisbon or Porto.
When Flights to the Azores Are Cheapest
Fares follow the islands' tourist season and the travel patterns of the Azorean diaspora. The most expensive periods are July and August, Easter, and the Christmas and New Year weeks, when emigrant families fly home from the US, Canada and the mainland. The cheapest are November to March outside the holidays, followed by the shoulder months of April, May, late September and October, which also offer good weather. As a rule, book transatlantic flights three to six months ahead for summer and keep an eye on Azores Airlines and TAP sales, which run several times a year.
Booking flights as part of a package often costs less than booking flight and hotel separately, because packaged airfares are not sold publicly.
Getting from the Airport
Ponta Delgada airport is about 3 km from the city centre. Taxis wait outside arrivals and the ride takes 10 minutes; Uber and Bolt operate in Ponta Delgada with a small fleet; and every major rental company has a desk in the terminal. If you plan to rent a car, pick it up at the airport. Our guide to whether you need a car in the Azores explains why most visitors do.
Flying On to Other Islands
From Ponta Delgada, SATA Air Açores flies to all eight other islands, with flights of 30 to 50 minutes on small turboprops. Terceira and Pico are the most popular second islands. In the central group, Faial, Pico and São Jorge are also linked by Atlânticoline ferries all year. If you are flying from North America and want to start or finish on a different island, a multi-island ticket or package avoids paying for separate one-way flights.
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Are there direct flights from the US to the Azores?
Yes. Azores Airlines flies non-stop from Boston all year and from New York JFK, and United flies seasonally from Newark. All land in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel after about five hours.
How long is the flight from Boston to the Azores?
Just under five hours non-stop to Ponta Delgada. On the return, against the prevailing winds, it takes closer to six.
Are there direct flights from Canada to the Azores?
Yes. Azores Airlines flies from Toronto all year and from Montreal seasonally, and Air Canada and WestJet add summer flights from Toronto. Flight time is five to five and a half hours.
Which airport do I fly into for the Azores?
Ponta Delgada (PDL) on São Miguel for almost every trip. Terceira (TER) is the alternative for the central islands. Horta, Pico and Santa Maria have flights from Lisbon.
Does Ryanair still fly to the Azores?
No. Ryanair ended all its Azores routes on 29 March 2026. From mainland Portugal, fly TAP or Azores Airlines from Lisbon or Porto.
How long is the flight from Lisbon to the Azores?
About two and a half hours to Ponta Delgada, with several flights a day.
Can I fly direct from London to the Azores?
In summer, British Airways flies from London Heathrow. The rest of the year, fly via Lisbon or Porto.
When are flights to the Azores cheapest?
November to March outside Christmas and Easter, then April, May and October. July, August and the holiday weeks are the most expensive.
.jpg "Sete Cidades Caldera Lakes in São Miguel Island, Azores")
.jpg "Scenic View of Tea Plantations in São Miguel, Azores")
.jpg "Jeep tour through Cumeeiras, Sete Cidades, São Miguel Island")
.jpg "Pico Island’s Longitudinal Road (IS1) – Scenic Drive Through the Heart of the Island")
