Not quite as simple as the title, actually looking at LHR ->ORD-> GRU -> IAD in one continuous run on UA (in biz if I can upgrade, although that would'nt include the last leg to IAD). Would then have a couple of days in IAD before back to LHR.
My point is - is the first leg a killer or will I cruise it? Will mean a 5am rise on day one, a near 12 hour wait in Brazil after landing on the overbight flight, then the overnight back to the USA.
Interested any any experiences/comments etc on any aspect of this.
Thanks!

Just, for god's sakes don't drink the ice at GRU. Personally shut down a business class lavatory for the duration of the flight coming back from GRU.

I've never done the flight to GRU in coach, but the overnights from ATL in DL business elite aren't bad. GRU is a pretty crappy airport to wait around in, if you aren't in a lounge. And good look getting wifi to work.

I've done IAD-GRU-ORD in an immediate turnaround in coach (E+ though). It wasn't a mileage run - I had a full day of work in Campinas (just outside of S.P.), and then back to the airport. GRU is a pretty crappy airport, IMO - if you can arrange to do a tour or something and get into the sun, that would help. I felt pretty wiped when I came back, but the flights really are well-suited for sleeping - they turn the lights off quickly, and most folks settle right into sleeping by about 1-1.5 hours after wheels up.

Not sure which passport you will travel on, but be aware that Brazil requires a visa for citizens of a number of countries--- may be an added expense/hassle that you might not want to deal with. As far as sterile transit, it can be done in GRU, although there is a security check--- but I don't know how well they will favor boarding a passenger traveling US-Brazil-US as it may not look like just a transit.

And good look getting wifi to work.

Find PizzaHut express, and you have found wireless, open AP and not too bad at speeds. In the UA Lounge, nothing.

Edit: Directed another 2 people to this, while I was waiting to check in, as they asked me for free wireless.

(first post, yay!)

Just, for god's sakes don't drink the ice at GRU. Personally shut down a business class lavatory for the duration of the flight coming back from GRU.
I've never done the flight to GRU in coach, but the overnights from ATL in DL business elite aren't bad. GRU is a pretty crappy airport to wait around in, if you aren't in a lounge. And good look getting wifi to work.


Well, as Bingo already said, GRU isn't the awesomest airport to kill time, but as someone already mentioned, the RCC there is one of the best (I have never been there personally, but thats what people say).

Also, at this particular airport, they used to have a painfully confuse legislation about eletronic devices. I mean, if you were Brazilian, they would ask to see the store reciept to confirm the gadget was really bought in Brazil; if you were a foreigner, they would ask to fill a of "temporary entrance declaration" and hand it back to the authorities on your way back home. I say "used to" because people in a huge blog are commenting it's not being enforced anymore ( :rolleyes: )

I will run a little research on goole and see what's going on there.
I recommend you to do the same if you plan to carry your brand new uber complete laptop ;)