Ponta Delgada’s PDL Airport: Flying to the Azores
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL Airport) is officially known as João Paulo II Airport. It’s the main international gateway to the Azores Islands, which are part of Portugal.
PDL Airport is located on the largest island of São Miguel, in the largest city in the island chain.
In recent years, Ponta Delgada Airport underwent significant expansion and renovation projects to improve its infrastructure to accommodate the increasing number of tourists arriving in the Azores.
Renting a Car at Ponta Delgada’s Airport
I use Discover Cars to find car rentals in the Azores, and much of Europe. They do a great job finding and comparing all options available at the Ponta Delgada Airport.
Importantly, the list will include the local Azores-based car rental companies available at PDL Airport, like Ilha Verde, in addition to the internationally-known rental car companies.
🚘 Click to Book: Rental Cars in the Azores
PRO TIP: When you arrive at PDL Airport, get to the rental counter as quickly as possible! Long lines form when planes land in Ponta Delgada, and they can move pretty slowly.
If you’ve checked luggage, have one person wait for the bags and send the other one on to the car rental counter at PDL.
Car Rental Companies at Ponta Delgada’s Airport
Again, you’ll find the big name international car rental companies in the Ponta Delgada Airport, like Hertz, Enterprise, and Sixt, along with Azorean-based companies, like Ilha Verde, Way2Azores, and ANC.
Hotels Near Ponta Delgada’s PDL Airport
PDL Airport is about two miles west of the city center, so it’s very convenient for travelers looking to stay in Ponta Delgada.
You can use this interactive map to check out the hotels that are within a couple miles of the airport.
Direct Flights from the US & Canada to the Azores
Currently, you can find direct flights from New York, Boston, and Toronto to PDL Airport on São Miguel. There’s no need for a layover in Lisbon!
✈️ Click to Book: Flights to the Azores
New York to the Azores
Azores Airlines flies direct from New York’s JFK International Airport to the Ponta Delgada Airport several days a week.
In addition, United Airlines launched direct flights between New Jersey’s Newark International Airport (EWR) and Ponta Delgada (PDL) in 2022. Newark is just outside of New York City, and a convenient option for travelers from the tri-state area.
It’s about a six-hour flight from New York to the Azores.
Boston to the Azores
There’s a large Azorean population in Boston, MA, so you can usually find direct flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport to Ponta Delgada’s Airport.
Azores Airlines flies nonstop from BOS to PDL several days a week.
Prices tend to drop from peak summer season highs by mid-September.
It’s barely more than a five-hour flight from Boston to the Azores.
Toronto to the Azores
Toronto is also home to a large Azorean population, so Azores Airlines flies nonstop flights between Toronto and Ponta Delgada.
The nonstop flights takeoff most days of the week, but are subject to change depending on the season.
The flight time is right around six-hours from Toronto to the Azores.
Tours from Ponta Delgada
If you’re not renting a car at PDL, here are several tour options, each with all five-star-reviews:
➡️ Click to Book: Ponta Delgada to Sete Cidades
- Small group tour of São Miguel West, including Sete Cidades, Lake Fogo, Caldeira Velha, and Mosteiros.
➡️ Click to Book: Ponta Delgada to Furnas
- Small group tour of São Miguel East, including the volcanic landscapes, coastline and waterfalls.
➡️ Click to Book: Ponta Delgada Food Tour
- A guide will take you to local markets and restaurants on a tour which includes tastings.
➡️ Click to Book: Azores Whale Watching
- Cruise with a marine biologist, looking for sperm and pilot whales, dolphins, and other marine life around São Miguel Island.
Airlines Flying to PDL Airport in the Azores
Major carriers serve PDL Airport on São Miguel, including:
- Azores Airlines
- TAP Air Portugal
- Ryanair
- United Airlines
- Air France
- Lufthansa
The most common destinations for direct flights from Ponta Delgada include Lisbon, Porto, Funchal (Madeira), Paris, Boston, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam.
TAP Air Portugal
TAP might be unknown to a lot of American travelers, but it’s a world-class airline with a new fleet of nice planes. They fly the Airbus A321neo from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada.
While my last personal experience with TAP was sub-par in terms of customer service, it’s a solid airline with a good safety record.
If you have long legs, pay to upgrade to better seats on the flight from Lisbon over to PDL Airport. The planes are nice and new, but the back half of the A321neo’s seats are too close together in TAP’s configuration.
Azores Airlines
Azores Airlines, also known as SATA Air Açores, is the flagship carrier of the Azores. It offers both domestic and international flights to various destinations, including Lisbon, Porto, Boston, Toronto, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and several other cities.
Azores Airlines operates a fleet of modern aircraft, including Airbus A321neo, Airbus A320neo, and Bombardier Q200/Q400 planes.
Azores Airlines has a codeshare partnership with TAP Air Portugal, which is great especially if your flight is disrupted. You can more easily change flights and find another plane heading to your destination. I speak from experience on this one!
Cheapest Flights to PDL Airport in the Azores
I’d always check TAP Air Portugal and Azores Airlines first, but if you’re looking for the cheapest flights to the Azores, check Ryanair.
The low-cost carrier is popular in Europe, and has direct flights from Ponta Delgada Airport to Lisbon, Porto, and London.
In the past, Ryanair has also flown from PDL to Dublin, Frankfurt, Milan, and other cities in Europe.
It’s a thrifty option if you’re in a place like London and want to take a trip to the Azores. It’s a four-hour flight from London to São Miguel (Ponta Delgada).
✈️ Click to Book: Flights to the Azores
Flights from Sao Miguel to the Other Islands
Island-hopping is a convenient and efficient way to explore the diverse landscapes and unique characteristics of each island in the Azores.
When it comes to inter-island flights, Azores Airlines (SATA) operates between Ponta Delgada and:
- Horta Airport (on Faial Island)
- Terceira Airport (on Terceira Island)
- Pico Airport (on Pico Island)
- Santa Maria Airport (on Santa Maria Island)
The flight duration between Ponta Delgada Airport and the other islands varies depending on the distance and specific routing. For example, flights between Ponta Delgada and Terceira Island typically take around 40 minutes.
Flights to Santa Maria Island take only 30 minutes, while flights to Flores take 90 minutes.
Distances Between PDL Airport and Top Sites in Sao Miguel
If you’re renting a car on São Miguel, which I recommend, this should give you an idea of how close some of the most popular sites are from PDL Airport:
- PDL to Ponta Delgada City Center: 3 kilometers
- PDL to Furnas: 48 kilometers
- PDL to Sete Cidades: 25 kilometers
- PDL to Nordeste: 60 kilometers
- PDL to Santa Barbara Beach: 22 kilometers
- PDL to Mosteiros: 30 Kilometers
- PDL to Gorreana Tea Plantation: 30 kilometers
Other Info on Arriving at PDL Airport
Food & Amenities at Ponta Delgada’s PDL Airport
Ponta Delgada’s airport features a modern and recently-expanded terminal building with more amenities for travelers.
The options aren’t extensive, but you can expect a restaurant, duty-free shop, and a souvenir shop.
The terminal is equipped with free Wi-Fi access throughout.
Ponta Delgada Airport Bus & Transportation
- Taxis are readily available at the airport. Taxis can be found just outside the arrivals area. They operate on a metered fare system, and the rates may vary based on the time of day and the destination.
- Public buses operated by the company “Empresa de Transportes Urbanos de Ponta Delgada” (ETPD) connect the airport to the city center of Ponta Delgada and other locations on the island. Bus routes and schedules may vary, so it’s recommended to check the official ETPD website or inquire at the airport for the most up-to-date information.
- Some hotels in Ponta Delgada offer complimentary shuttle services to and from PDL Airport for their guests.
FAQs About Ponta Delgada’s Airport
Let’s tackle a couple remaining questions about Ponta Delgada’s airport:
Why is PDL Airport named after Pope John Paul?
Ponta Delgada Airport is named João Paulo II Airport in honor of Pope John Paul II, who was the head of the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005. The decision to name the airport after him was made as a tribute to his visit to the Azores and Ponta Delgada in 1991.
During his visit, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in Ponta Delgada, attracting a large crowd of faithful followers. His visit had a significant impact on the local community, and naming the airport after him was a way to commemorate his visit and honor his contributions to the Catholic Church.
Is there Uber in the Azores?
Uber is an option on São Miguel, but mostly just in the city of Ponta Delgada. Certain times of the day you might not have a driver available. It’s best to book a ride in advance, or hail a taxi to get to PDL Airport.
How many runways are there at PDL Airport?
The airport has a single asphalt runway, designated as 12/30, which measures approximately 3,048 meters (10,000 feet) in length.
Ponta Delgada Airport has the capacity to handle more than 2 million passengers annually.
How early should you arrive at PDL Airport?
If you’re flying domestically back to Lisbon or Porto, you should arrive at PDL at least an hour before your flight.
The airlines would suggest arriving a full two-hours before your flight, or even three hours before an international flight from PDL. Practically speaking, you’ll be fine getting through the lines in less than the airlines’ recommendations.
How much is a taxi from PDL Airport to Ponta Delgada’s city center?
The drive from PDL to the city center in Ponta Delgada will take about 10 minutes, and cost around 15 Euros.
Is there WiFi at Ponta Delgada’s PDL Airport?
Yes, the WiFi is free at PDL Airport. After turning on the WiFi on your phone or tablet, connect to the network named “_VINCI Airports WiFi”. After you accept the terms and conditions, you’re good to go.
Is there a lost and found at Ponta Delgada’s Airport?
Yes, you can contact the lost and found at PDL Airport by phone or email:
- pontadelgada.airport@ana.pt
- +351 296 205 400
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER GUIDES TO THE AZORES:
