South America - GIG-GRU/GRU-JFK: Connection on different Airlines

I am returning from Brazil this coming week. I am flying from GIG to GRU on TAM airlines and then from GRU to JFK on Delta. When I arrive at GRU, will I need to exit security, check-in at Delta, and then go through security again? The GIG to GRU flight is a domestic flight and not connected with the Delta itinerary.

Yes. Make sure you leave at least 3hrs (2.5 hrs as a bare minimum) to do this as delays are common on the GIG-GRU route due to late inbound aircraft from international sectors... All the more so if checking luggage as luggage collection in GRU is a disaster and can take up to 1h.

Yes. Make sure you leave at least 3hrs (2.5 hrs as a bare minimum) to do this as delays are common on the GIG-GRU route due to late inbound aircraft from international sectors... All the more so if checking luggage as luggage collection in GRU is a disaster and can take up to 1h.

Thanks for the info. Luckily, I booked my flights so that I have almost 8 hours between flights, though I will probably get bored at the airport.

One other question. In the case TAM makes me check the bag, will they check it through to the US or will I pick it up in GRU?

The itineraries aren't connected, so I have a feeling that they wouldn't check it through to the US.

It doesn't look like it'll be possible. But in any case, considering the gap you have between flights, why take the risk? I would say picking it up in GRU is the more prudent option...

I just did this recently, and all I can say is that GRU sucks! Brazil, in general, doesn't seem to understand what a transfer is.

My itinerary included GIG-GRU and GRU-AMS. There was 90 minutes for the transfer.

I took TAM from GIG-GRU. Bags were checked through to my final international destination, and I got a boarding pass for the GRU-AMS flight.

At GIG I had to:

* Have my cabin baggage screened

* Go through passport control, which was heavily delayed due to staff shortage (30-45 mins)

At GRU I had to:

* Go through passport control (a special line was there for transit but you had to find/ask for it)

* Exit the baggage hall

* Re-enter departures, find my airline then check-in. Again. The boarding pass I got at GIG was useless. If you're lucky they'll have a separate line for transfers, otherwise look for "no bags" or similar. You'll navigate through chaos to find it. If you're changing to Delta, ensure they add your SkyMiles number to the flight when picking up the boarding pass as TAM don't affiliate with Delta so can't do it themselves when you first checkin.

* Go through passport control. Again. In my case it looked like school kids hanging out. My guy spent a minute drinking water before processing me (whilst I stood in front of him), then didn't bother to stamp out my passport or departure card.

* Have my cabin baggage screened. Again.

Once through all this pain you'll probably find yourself in Wing A. There's next to no food, it's terrible quality, and ridiculously overpriced. So join a very long queue and board your flight!