GIG Airport Rio
 

How long before my international flight at GIG airport in Rio, should I plan to arrive at the airport? Are the security and immigration lines usually very long? Is 2 hours sufficient?

It's Latin America. I'd give yourself three hours - you never know what can happen.

Sorry, I've never been to South America before. Why do I need more time than any other country?

Two hours is fine. There's an AA lounge that has some nice sugary treats if you have access and would like to spend some more time

Do we know if this person has any priority? Lounge access? Check in lines are often horrible in the regular line and then exit passport control, who knows how long. I have lovely status, fly in premium cabins, and rarely arrive less than 2.5 to 3 hours prior to an international flight departing deep South America.

You may have missed the IF in my post. I'm no stranger to an airplane and South America either and am comfortable with 2 hours

Please follow the discussion while the thread moves to the Brazil forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Senior Moderator.

You don't. Two hours for security and border control should be more than enough under normal circumstances. I've had much worse experiences in any given US airport.

3 hours should be fine. Definitely better than any experience at [enter any U.S. airport here].

I highlighted "normal circumstances" as 2 hours is generally sufficient. However, there are times when it isn't due to numerous various factors. I have flown back and forth enough to encounter several of these abnormal situations, some even resulting in missed flights. Consequently, I look for 3 hour connections, but if not available, will go with something less that approaches 2 hours.

Thanks everyone! I just wrapped up a trip to Brazil, and immigration at GIG airport moved very quickly.

quick international connection tip for GIG
 

There is a Priority Line for Immigration just as entering the processing area. It is intended for Vip and impaired people. However, having a short connection when processing is crowded on the other side can, usually, speed movement. Be Very very polite, if you are very old , disabled or traveling with infants i is routine. Be very polite, GIG, like everywhere in Brazil, is very kind with people who are polite too. First, always, greet the processor then make your request.

Those rules work almost everywhere, for that matter.

Baggage arrival is always an issue but the routine normally send transfer bags first at GIG, so long as the airline has loaded them properly.

Welcome back Mr. Green! I missed your insightful posts.

There is law in Brazil that grants priority access to people 60 and older (senior citizens) while going through security and passport control, and also during boarding, regardless of group number.

Ever since my wife threw her knee during the unending walk after arriving at GIG, I always request mobility assistance in my reservation when arriving internationally at GIG as the arrival gate is a good 10-20 minute walk to passport control. It’s customary practice to tip the person pushing the wheelchair.

When leaving Rio, we normally spend time at the lounge and take the electric cart to the far away gate.

The huge benefit in peak hours is that the wheelchair passengers have help with luggage and very fast processing, regardless of class. The note about tipping is especially relevant because those people work many flights every day and are invariably very helpful and considerate. I tip them exorbitantly because of that, usually R$20. On departures they load the taxis and almost always insist on loading the arriving in carts and then through customs.

My spouse has limited walking ability, but only began using the wheelchairs this year. It has been vastly easier. As with every location or airline it is very important to make the request with airline reservation.

Respect..

I remember one time all my bags (and those of the other passengers too) were arranged together by the carousel when I arrived in a normal amount of time..

I never had any problems there, aside from the time they weren't going to let me enter and a supervisor had to come over and I explained the rule to them, all politely, with respect. We resolved it within 2 minutes, no need for secondary...