Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
'RPHVWLF$LU7UDYHO
The sheer size of Brazil makes air
travel the preferred mode of trans-
portation. The country has an
excellent network of airlines and
most airports have been modernized.
Air travel is an important means of transportation to
reach remote areas in Amazônia and the interior of
Brazil. All towns in the country have at least an
airstrip, and all cities have an airport, usually some
distance from the city, or located fairly centrally, as
in the case with São Paulo City and Rio City.
A travel agent can explain the
detailed terms and conditions,
or else, check the airline's
website for more information.
HIGH SEASON
Gol logo
High season for domestic air
travel corresponds with the
major holidays and vacation
periods in Brazil. The peak
season is in the Brazilian
summer, from the week of
Christmas until Carnaval in
mid-February or early March.
The month of July is also peak
season when schools and
universities are off on their
winter break. Other popular
periods are Easter, Corpus
Christi, and Independence
Day (September 7).
TAM offers significant
discounts for those who take
night flights. As unpleasant as
departures and arrivals in the
wee hours may be, the savings
can be significant. It is also
advisable to book well ahead
of time when planning to take
flights Friday evening or
Monday morning between
major cities.
Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes aircraft taxi at Congonhas airport, São Paulo
DOMESTIC AIRLINES
AIRPASS
AIR TAXI
Domestic air travel within
Brazil is a well organized and
efficient form of transport-
ation. There are currently
two major airlines that fly
both international and dom-
estic routes - TAM and Gol
(see p437)
. Domestic bargain
airlines include
OceanAir
,
Webjet
,
Gol
, and
Trip
. Smaller
airlines, such as
Pantanal
,
operating flights between
São Paulo and Mato Grosso
do Sul, have recently built
up a wide and inexpensive
network throughout the
Amazon region.
Non-residents of Brazil who
arrive on an international
flight are entitled to buy an
airpass with TAM, making
long-distance flights within
Brazil quite affordable. The
airline sells the pass for
US$479, for which you are
allowed four domestic flights
within a 21-day period.
Additional segments can be
purchased. No direct return
flights are allowed. For
example, Rio-Manaus-Rio-
Salvador is not allowed but
Rio-Manaus-Salvador-Rio is.
Many parts of Brazil, and
particularly Amazônia,
feature air taxi companies.
Air taxis, known locally as
teco-tecos,
are not the most
reliable form of transport-
ation. Before taking one, be
aware that the airstrips are
often dangerous. These small
planes routinely fly over-
loaded, and are very often in
questionable condition. There
are no checks made on the
qualifications of pilots, so
taking an air taxi is at the
traveler's own risk.
CHECKING IN
Check-in for domestic flights
is normally 60 minutes prior
to departure. A valid ID is
required, and foreigners are
required to show their pass-
port upon check-in. Make
sure to keep the luggage
claim tags handy upon arrival,
as airport staff will check
for those when exiting the
baggage claim area.
Teco-teco
(air taxi) in the Amazon region
