Avianca-TAP Air Portugal Lounge Review (MIA)

Located in terminal J of Miami International Airport, the newly renovated Avianca-TAP Air Portugal Lounge offers a respite for Star Alliance business class travelers and Priority Pass members.

Accessing the Avianca-TAP Lounge at MIA

This is a welcome addition to the Priority Pass lounge network, as previously there was only lounge access in two of the seven Miami International Airport’s terminals. The Avianca-TAP Lounge is accessible to travelers with flights out of terminals J and I. 

With Priority Pass, you may access the lounge regardless of the class of travel as detailed in my article outlining airport lounge access. If you have Star Alliance Gold Status, then you and one guest on the same flight may also access the lounge.

As Miami is my home airport, I found the offerings similar to the other priority pass lounges, which are the Turkish Airlines Lounges. 

However, this time I gained access to the Avianca-TAP Lounge through my business class ticket on Condor (booked using Alaska Airlines miles). The full experience on Condor is in my business class review. 

Avianca-TAP Lounge Location

The lounge is located near J7 and is accessed via an elevator or set of escalators to take you to the upper floor. When you first arrive, the LATAM lounge is immediately in front of you and the Avianca-TAP lounge to the left. I was able to check in fairly quickly and took note of the WiFi password there as cell signal was very limited in the lounge.

Lounge Seating Areas

There are several sitting areas, including a main dining area, a quiet sitting area with a tv, a family area, and a work area with desks and a conference table. It was very full when I arrived, so I sat at one of the high top chairs near an outlet.

There is an area where you can see a view of the tarmac, but most of the time a was looking at a wall in from of the hightop. Outlets were conveniently located throughout along the walls and some in the floor, although there could definitely be more. 

Food & Drink

Drink options included coffee machines, soda, and self-serve beer, wine, and alcohol. Food consisted of small sandwiches, a salad bar, two soup options, muffins, and donuts. You could also order hot food via the QR code at the table but the only options were spaghetti and meatballs along with a gluten free version, wild rice, and steamed vegetables. 

Service

The staff was busy cleaning and restocking items during the several hours of my stay, which was great considering the high traffic. Announcements were made for flights regarding delays and boarding. I thought they would only announce Avianca flights, but they did also announce my Condor flight, so it seems they announce all flights relevant to their guests. There were restrooms inside the lounge, but no showers. 

Lounge Quality

Overall, this lounge held me over until my late flight and had a nice array of drinks. Its minimalist neutral style is not as nice as the lux touches throughout the Turkish Airlines Lounge in Concourse H/J, nor is there a bartender. This lounge is worth a visit, but the food alone won’t substitute for a meal. 

There’s a Starbucks, Earl of Sandwich, and Corona Beach House also in the terminal. The terminal was packed, so in the end I was happy to have a seat and snacks in the lounge before my flight.