By Plane to Brazil

The largest country in South America attracts every year anew numerous Brazil vacationers. Paradisiacal sandy beaches, tropical rainforest, the unique Pantanal, sights such as the Cristo Redentor, the Iguaçu waterfalls or the historic Pelourinho district in Salvador are among the favorite destinations.

If you don't want to spend days traveling by car or boat, then flying is the only alternative to get to Brazil quickly. Flights are a great way to get from one place to another quickly in Brazil, as Brazil is anything but small.

The largest airport in Brazil can be found in the metropolis of São Paulo. Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is responsible for nearly 30 percent of Brazil's air traffic. Around 40 national and international airlines serve more than 100 destinations in Brazil and worldwide. It is also home to a major cargo hub and the second-largest cargo terminal in South America after Mexico City.

Rio de Janeiro is home to the Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim Airport. It is also called the "gateway to Brazil", as around 40 percent of foreign tourists arrive here and head for other destinations throughout Brazil. The airport is located about 20 kilometers outside the city center of Rio. It furthermore has the longest runway in the entire country and is one of the most important cargo airports in Brazil. The history of the airport began with the relocation of a flight school to the current airport building in 1924. In 1945, it became a base for the Brazilian Air Force and an international commercial airport, a function it still holds today.

Although Brasília is the capital of Brazil, the city does not have the largest airport. However, the Aeroporto Internacional de Brasília - Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek is one of the most modern in the country and was named after former President Juscelino Kubitschek. After the new presidential residence in Brasília was completed, construction work on the new airport also began in November 1956. Just one year later, on May 3, 1957, the airport was opened. Did you know that the new capital of Brazil looks from above like an airplane?
Other major airports can be found in Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Manaus and Belém.

Discovering Brazil by rental car is a real adventure and you can get to know authentic Brazil! But from the Iguaçu waterfalls to the Amazon Rainforest you can not drive in one day. If you want to see as many highlights as possible on a Brazil round trip, domestic flights offer fast and uncomplicated travel.

Among the largest Brazilian airlines is Azul with over 100 destinations in Brazil, followed by Latam (LATAM Airlines Brasil) with 73 and Gol (Gol Transportes Aéreos) with 68 destinations in Brazil.

To get directly from Rio de Janeiro to the tropical rainforest, domestic airports such as Manaus or Alta Floresta are ideal. There is also always an airport near Brazil's most beautiful national parks: Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (São Luís Airport), Pantanal (Cuiabá Airport), Chapada Diamantina (Salvador da Bahia Airport) or Iguaçu National Park (Foz do Iguaçu Airport).

There are numerous flight connections from the USA to Brazil. Direct flights depart from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Washington. LATAM Brasil is currently the only Brazilian airline serving the U.S. but is supported by American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. However, Air Canada, Japan Airlines and Korean Air also carry passengers between the U.S. and Brazil. Most flights go either to Rio or São Paulo. If you want to fly somewhere else, there are a few options. LATAM flies from Miami to Manaus, Belém, Recife, Belo Horizonte and Salvador; American, also from Miami, to Belo Horizonte; and Delta from Atlanta to Fortaleza, Manaus and Recife. If your destination is not one of these cities, it is usually best to change planes in Rio or São Paulo.

And here some important facts about flying in Brazil:
- Normally, luggage is not passed through at Brazilian airports for onward flights. It must be collected from the baggage carousel, pass through customs and be rechecked at the check-in counter.
- 4 airlines offer direct flights from the U.S. to Brazil: LATAM Brasil, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines.
- The flight time from Dallas to São Paulo is about 10 hours and from Chicago to São Paulo about 12 hours.

Have you already decided how you will spend your next Brazil trip? Get to know a certain region of Brazil authentically by rental car or see as much as possible in one trip with domestic flights? Now you know the most important information about Brazilian air travel. Here's a little tip for you: pack a warmer piece of clothing in your hand luggage as well, since the air conditioning is usually turned up on the plane.

Sources: www.fluege.de, www.flughafendetails.de, www.brasilien.de, www.travelmath.com