GRU Connection
May 30, 2013 | 11:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3
GRU Connection
Hi All!
Longtime lurker here, decided you guys were the most informed on all things flying, so I thought I would give my questions a chance to be answered by the pros:
I'm going to flying YYZ-ORD-GRU-AEP in a few weeks, and was wondering about a couple things, mainly involving GRU.
I'm going to be taking the overnight flight from ORD-GRU (on UA) with arrival at around 09:00 and then making a connection to an AEP bound TAM flight at about 10:45. My question is as follows:
How does immigration work in Brasil? If I am flying in to GRU only to connect to another international flight, do I need to go through immigration and customs control?
Secondly, is UA & TAM international flights in the same terminal? Will 1:30 +/- be enough time to get my bags?
Thirdly, I've never booked a flight before with a third party, so I'm trying to figure out how baggage works: If I fly UA to ORD, UA to GRU, and TAM to AEP will I need to re-collect my bags everytime? Or only at GRU?
Lastly, If I miss my connection at GRU due to customs/immigration/late arrival on UA's end, will I be put on the next flight? Like I said, I'll be booking with a third party travel site since UA/TAM can't get the flights/rates I want.
Sorry for the long first post, and thanks everyone in advance fo the help!
Longtime lurker here, decided you guys were the most informed on all things flying, so I thought I would give my questions a chance to be answered by the pros:
I'm going to flying YYZ-ORD-GRU-AEP in a few weeks, and was wondering about a couple things, mainly involving GRU.
I'm going to be taking the overnight flight from ORD-GRU (on UA) with arrival at around 09:00 and then making a connection to an AEP bound TAM flight at about 10:45. My question is as follows:
How does immigration work in Brasil? If I am flying in to GRU only to connect to another international flight, do I need to go through immigration and customs control?
Secondly, is UA & TAM international flights in the same terminal? Will 1:30 +/- be enough time to get my bags?
Thirdly, I've never booked a flight before with a third party, so I'm trying to figure out how baggage works: If I fly UA to ORD, UA to GRU, and TAM to AEP will I need to re-collect my bags everytime? Or only at GRU?
Lastly, If I miss my connection at GRU due to customs/immigration/late arrival on UA's end, will I be put on the next flight? Like I said, I'll be booking with a third party travel site since UA/TAM can't get the flights/rates I want.
Sorry for the long first post, and thanks everyone in advance fo the help!
Jun 1, 2013 | 11:34 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CNF
Programs: Priority Club, TAM Fidelidade, BAEC, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,205
Hi and welcome to FT!
Generally UA should check your bags through to AEP, so no need to collect them at GRU, also you won't have to go through immigration, just follow "Flight connections" signs.
Generally UA should check your bags through to AEP, so no need to collect them at GRU, also you won't have to go through immigration, just follow "Flight connections" signs.
Jun 1, 2013 | 5:17 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP>2m, Alaska MVP, Virgin Gold, Delta Gold, Starwood Gold, Cathay Pacific Silver
Posts: 599
I'm at GRU now on my way back to the US after a visit to Brazil. Although the terminals have different numbers, as far as I can tell they are all attached. I passed both TAM and UAL as i wandered around on my way from GOL to AA. I've heard horror stories about this airport but I found everything easy and quick. Maybe I was just lucky.
Jun 2, 2013 | 1:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,187
When you get off the plane, and are walking with everyone else, you will see airline or airport personnel asking who has an international connection (conexo internacional), and these passengers are directed off to a different corridor. I haven't done it (I've arrived for domestic connections). Just to be 100% sure, I'd check with the airline (United?), and make sure you don't need a Brazilian visa. I don't think you will, though if you miss your connection you may have a long stay in the secure area (be prepared to fly to EZE if that's the only feasible option). I think Americans need to fill out an online form in advance when flying into one of the two Buenos Aires airports, but I can't recall if it's EZE or AEP. A friend ran into that. There was no fee.
I assume your two flights were booked together. You'll need to show your full itinerary to make sure can board a flight to Brazil without a Brazilian visa. It would be at the airline check-in counter that you'd be asked to show such a visa if you were flying to just Brazil. I'm sure they've run into this before.
I assume your two flights were booked together. You'll need to show your full itinerary to make sure can board a flight to Brazil without a Brazilian visa. It would be at the airline check-in counter that you'd be asked to show such a visa if you were flying to just Brazil. I'm sure they've run into this before.