All Azores Airports (2024) + Map
The Azores archipelago has two international airports to welcome travelers from the U.S. and mainland Europe. João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island and Lajes Airport on Terceira Island.
All of the nine Azores islands have an airport. Several airlines fly from Europe and the United States to the international ones, but SATA Air Açores is the only airline that operates inter-island flights.
All Azores airports offer modern facilities and services that make getting to and from the Azores easy and enjoyable.
Azores International Airports
Azores archipelago consists of nine islands: Corvo (the smallest), Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico (with the highest peak), Santa Maria (the oldest), São Jorge, São Miguel (the largest), and Terceira, but only two islands welcome international tourists.
João Paulo II Airport (São Miguel Island)
João Paulo II Airport (code: PDL) is the largest airport in the Azores, located in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island. It serves both international and domestic flights, with connections to large European and U.S. cities.
Azores Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and United Airlines directly fly here from multiple U.S. and Canadian airports (New York, Boston, Oakland, Montreal, and Toronto).
You can also reach the airport via connecting flights through European hubs like Lisbon, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and more. If you want a budget alternative, Ryanair offers direct flights from Europe. Here is the list of all airlines serving routes to/from Ponta Delgada.
Since it is the main airport in the Azores archipelago, SATA Air Açores services all eight islands from this base.
The airport is less than 2 miles from Ponta Delgada’s city center. Travelers can take a bus, ride a taxi, or pick up their rental cars.
READ ON – How to Rent a Car in Ponta Delgada? (Review, Info, Steps, Photos)
Lajes Airport (Terceira Island)
Lajes Airport (code: TER) serves both civilian and military flights. The airport welcomes international and regional flights, even from transatlantic destinations.
As of 2024, direct flights connect Terceira Island with Toronto (Canada), Boston (U.S.), Oakland (U.S.), London (U.K.), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Madrid (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), and Porto (Portugal) via Azores Airlines, TAP Portugal, Ryanair, Air Europa, and charter flights via TUI. Here is the list of airlines flying from/to Terceira Island.
Apart from Santa Maria Airport, the island is connected to all other Azorean islands with the help of SATA Air Açores.
The airport is well-equipped with essential amenities and provides an easy gateway to the island.
Azores Regional Airports
Horta Airport (Faial Island)
Horta Airport (code: HOR) is a popular airport for intra-island travel. SATA Air Açores connects Faial island with mainland Portugal via Lisbon and with four other Azores islands, São Miguel Island, Corvo, Flores, and Terceira.
Flores Airport (Flores Island)
Flores Airport (code: FLW) connects the island with four other Azores islands, São Miguel Island, Corvo, Faial, and Terceira, with SATA Air Açores services.
Corvo Airport (Corvo Island)
Corvo Airport (code: CVU) lies near Vila de Corvo, the largest city on the island. The airport does not have a website, but SATA Air Açores operates it. The airline connects the island with São Miguel Island, Flores, Faial, and Terceira.
Pico Airport (Pico Island)
Pico Airport (code: PIX) is a small airport near the town of Magdalena and welcomes flights only from São Miguel and Terceira islands. The airport does not have a website, but you can book flights on SATA Air Açores’s website.
São Jorge Airport (São Jorge Island)
São Jorge Airport (code: SJZ) is another small airport only connected to São Miguel and Terceira islands. You can book flights there via SATA Air Açores’s website.
Santa Maria Airport (Santa Maria Island)
Santa Maria Island has a small airport (code: SMX), only handling flights from Lisbon (mainland Portugal) and Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island) via SATA Air Açores.
Graciosa Airport (Graciosa Island)
Graciosa Airport (code: GRW) is located on one of the small islands and thus only connected to São Miguel and Terceira islands via flights. You can book flights there via SATA Air Açores’s website.
Airlines and destinations
The Azores are accessible from various international destinations, with several airlines offering direct flights from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
The islands have their own airline, Azores Airlines, a subsidiary of SATA Air Açores. They offer the most extensive portfolio of flights and destinations, including large U.S., Canadian, and European cities, as well as Cape Verde and Bermuda.
TAP Air Portugal connects Lisbon and Porto on mainland Portugal to several Azorean islands. It also partners with United Airlines to offer flights between the U.S. and the archipelago.
Ryanair offers affordable flights from European cities. As of 2024, travelers can book flights from Brussels (Belgium), Lisbon (Portugal), London (U.K.), and Porto (Portugal) to Ponta Delgada. They only service Terceira from Lisbon and Porto.
The only way to explore the Azores by hopping between islands is by using SATA Air Açores, which offers regular flights.
Air Travel Tips for the Azores
Visiting the stunning Azores is a dream for many travelers. To make your journey as smooth as possible, here are a few essential air travel tips to remember.
The Azores has several airports, but the busiest ones include João Paulo II Airport (PDL) on São Miguel Island and Lajes Airport (TER) on Terceira Island since they are crucial to connecting to mainland Portugal and other international destinations. VINCI Airports, which operates four of the nine island airports, welcomed almost 3 million passengers in 2023.
Peak travel times in Azores airports are typically between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for arrivals. But since all airports are small, it takes approx. ten minutes to leave the airport if you travel with a carry-on only.
Since you can only fly with SATA Air Açores between the Azores islands, I recommend booking your ticket in advance, especially during peak travel season, which is summer, as flights can fill up quickly.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.