Inter-island flights in the Azores: SATA and the nine airports

The Azores stretch across hundreds of kilometres of ocean, and flying is the only way to reach every island all year round. Visit Azores sums up the choice simply: between islands you travel by boat or by regional flight. Ferries cover the central and western groups; for everything else, and for any jump between island groups, you will be on a SATA Air Açores plane.

One airline, nine islands

The SATA Group runs two airlines. Azores Airlines flies to and from the archipelago, while SATA Air Açores flies between the islands. On SATA's booking site all nine islands appear as destinations: São Miguel (Ponta Delgada), Terceira, Faial (Horta), Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa, Santa Maria, Flores and Corvo. Ponta Delgada is the main hub, with direct links to most islands, and Terceira has links of its own to islands such as Pico, Faial and São Jorge. Some pairs of islands have no direct flight, so you may connect through a hub.

The inter-island fleet is made up of Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft, smaller than the jets you arrive on. In its summer 2026 plan SATA added flights on busy routes from Ponta Delgada, a sign of how full planes get in high season.

Booking and baggage

Book inter-island legs on SATA's own site, ideally when you book your arrival flight, especially for summer travel. Fares change with demand, so compare dates. SATA Air Açores has its own baggage rules, different from Azores Airlines and from many international airlines, including how excess weight and sports equipment are charged. Read the checked baggage page before you pack for a multi-island trip.

You may come across SATA's free inter-island connecting flights scheme. It is meant for residents, equivalent residents and students travelling to or from mainland Portugal or Madeira, not for visitors, so plan to buy your inter-island tickets separately.

Who runs the airports

• ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, part of the VINCI Airports network, runs Ponta Delgada (João Paulo II), Santa Maria, Horta and Flores. Ponta Delgada airport is less than 3 km from the city centre.
• Terceira: civil flights use the Lajes air terminal (Aerogare Civil das Lajes), an official service of the Governo dos Açores, near Praia da Vitória.
• Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Corvo have regional aerodromes managed by SATA Gestão de Aeródromos, part of the SATA Group.

On the smaller islands, arrange your car hire or a taxi before you land rather than hoping to find one waiting at the terminal.

Weather, delays and planning slack

Atlantic weather shapes island flying: wind, low cloud and storms can delay or cancel flights, and small airfields leave little room for a quick catch-up. SATA also posts notices about operational disruptions on its website, so check it in the days before you travel.

If you are hopping around the Triângulo of Faial, Pico and São Jorge, compare the plane with the ferry: for these short distances the boat is often simpler, and you can take a car.