Mark Garretson

Whats the best way to get access to the lounge for one day? (GOLs Smile Lounge since that's apparently the only one open right now?)

Wembleygal

Any updates on the GIG T1 lounges?

C010T3

Nothing's happening at GIG until the new airport operator takes over in August.

bedrocked

I'd like to know to. Will *A Gold or Amex Plat Priority Pass get one in to any of the lounges with showers?

Wembleygal

Can you please confirm what GIG T1 lounges are open this month? Thanks!

jbcarioca

Usually they honour almost anything from participants, but YMMV because not all Smiles lounge staffers have equal information. I have observed people entering with other *A day passes so you'll probably be OK with a UA one.

BTW, the AAdmirals lounge is on your left as you enter the Smiles lounge and has separate entrance. It follows the global AAdmirals Club rules.

Both sides are normally not too busy but are also somewhat devoid of nice facilities. However, at peak times both are overly saturated and often there are no seats at all. For the next few weeks (the remainder of June and July, I'd wager they'll be quite busy most of the time.

The T1 lounges are even more saturated.

All the lounges are to be renovated and/or replaced sometime in mid-2012. Nobody knows when mid-2012 will arrive but IMHO it probably will be in mid-2015 by non-Brazilian calendars.

In the meantime the BRT (express bus corridor) was inaugurated yesterday by President Dilma. Great! As she did that wonderful thing she stood on the bridge leaving the GIG area, which is not finished. We are promised quite a few stations to be open for the World Cup, which will probably happen because we have almost two weeks before it begins.:roll eyes:

The news is not all bad. Baggage service, customs and immigration are working very well at GIG. Maybe not so much at some other airports.

C010T3

Air France and ProAir.

jbcarioca

BTW, the AF lounge is normally so full near flight times that there is not even much room to stand. much less sit. I do not know about ProAir.

Wembleygal

Which do you think is the better lounge? Thanks !

jbcarioca

I found that a couple of weeks ago too. I prefer the TAM lounge if it is not crowded, but the Smiles one if TAM is crowded. I have no idea how long we'll have a choice, but the new lounges seem to be delayed. I know you cannot believe a delay is possible especially when President Dilma assured the international press that "everything will be ready [when the World Cup begins]"

bedrocked

Is Terminal 2 accessible if you land in T1?

jbcarioca

airside international no. You must clear outbound border control prior to going airside. Landside it's a few minutes walk, less if the escalators are working.

SoCal

There are electric golf carts from the end of T1 to T2. Saves a few minutes' walk. The moving sidewalks were not working the last time I was there (being repaired), but I assume they will be for the WC. International airline check-in counters in T2 usually open about 3-4 hours before the flight departs. A lot of folks waiting around, some sitting on the ground (few if any chairs in the vicinity of the counters) beforehand. Info counters also don't open until the same time.

flatlander_48

I am flying back to the US from Rio this Saturday. According to Delta.com, they use the GOL Lounge at GIG. Does anyone know what their current status is? Also, I am not a Sky Club member, but you can enter with an international Business Class ticket; at least in the US you can. Is that also true for the GOL Lounge?

zackery149

If flying Delta business elite out of GIG , yes you will be invited to the Smiles (GOL) lounge. Have not been in it at GIG nor current status.