It is widely referenced in the classic film Casablanca, whose plot revolves around an escape attempt to Lisbon airport.

Although Portugal was neutral, the airport was used by allied flights en route to Gibraltar, North Africa and Cairo.

A large new shopping and restaurant area, new airbridges and parking positions, a more efficient use of currently existing structures, and a new underground Lisbon Metro station were inaugurated in July 2012.

[35] The expansion project is expected to be completed by 2027 and increase the airport's capacity to receive up to 50 million passengers per year.

In 2007, an independent study coordinated by the Portuguese Industry Confederation (CIP) suggested a site in Alcochete Municipality as an alternative location.

A second government-contracted study led by the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC)[39] concluded in late 2007 that Alcochete was the best location.

[40][41] The location of Alcochete as the construction site of the future Lisbon Airport was confirmed by the government on 8 May 2008,[42] but the contract was shelved as part of Portugal's cost-cutting austerity measures, and completely dismissed from Portugal's transportation strategy plans in July 2013, with investment being concentrated on expanding and further improving the existing Lisbon Airport infrastructure.

The proposal, tabled by the Socialist leadership under former Mayor António Costa, was agreed to by councillors from across party lines.

"He was an opposition figure to the dictatorship regime... and had a very important role in the field of civil aviation," Minister of Planning and Infrastructure Pedro Marques said at a press conference after the meeting of Council of Ministers, stressing that it was Humberto Delgado who presided over the foundation of Portugal's flagship airline TAP and "so it is very fair this assignment name to the airport".

2016 marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of Humberto Delgado, who was also known as the "Fearless General" due to his staunch opposition to Salazar's rule and his participation in the 1958 Portuguese presidential election.

[48] Terminal 1 is the main building and features large landside and airside areas containing several shops and service facilities.

Most airlines use Terminal 1, including TAP Air Portugal, its Star Alliance partners, Oneworld and, exceptionally, easyJet.

It has 22 check-in desks (201–222), designated to each particular low-cost carrier, and 15 departure gates (201–215) using mainly walk boarding but also bus.

[192] Carris city buses stop at the airport arrivals section, and connect to Marquis of Pombal Square, and Amoreiras.

Night routes run to downtown Baixa, as well as Cais do Sodré and Gare do Oriente train stations.

[196] Two bicycle paths connect the airport roundabout, situated 300 m south of Terminal 1 to the city's 70 km cycle infrastructure network.

do Brasil to the University of Lisbon main campus, passing through the central neighbourhoods of Alvalade, Campo Grande and Entrecampos and connecting with other paths to Telheiras, Colégio Militar, Benfica, and Monsanto Forest Park.

The other bicycle path heads east from the roundabout towards Olivais, Gare do Oriente train station and Parque das Nações Expo 98 site, connecting with the riverside bicycle path Southwards along Lisbon harbour to Santa Apolónia train station, cruise ship and ferry terminals, and the historic centre, and north to the Caminho do Tejo pilgrimage trail to Fátima and Santiago de Compostela.

[201] Sociedade de Gestão e Serviços, S.A. (TAPGER), another TAP subsidiary, has its head office on the 8th floor of the same building.

[202] Building 19 has the head office of Sociedade de Serviços e Engenharia Informática, S.A. (Megasis), a TAP information services subsidiary.