Identification is necessary to assure our airport passengers’ and users’ comfort and security. The Brazilian identification card is the most important document when travelling from domestic airports. Always keep your card handy after identification at the airline check in counter. It is also important to be aware of laws pertaining to the travel of children and adolescents. Children of up to 12 years of age, and unaccompanied must present judicial authorization prior to boarding. If accompanied by any person other than their parents or even with them, they must present written authorization from their father, mother or person responsible for them in addition to an original copy of their birth certificate. Adolescents from 12 to 18 years of age who are unaccompanied must present a copy of their original birth certificate.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

In the event that a flight is cancelled or delayed, the airline must accommodate the passenger on another flight of the same airline or another one within a maximum limit of four hours. If this term is not complied with, the user may choose to fly on another flight, request endorsement or reimbursement of the ticket. If one decides to travel on another flight, on the same day or the following day, the airline is obliged to provide accommodation, food, transportation to and from the airport as well as to reimburse the passenger for any phone calls necessary as a result of the delay.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

Except children of up to two years of age paying 10% of the ticket, any passenger may carry as hand luggage:

• One handbag, briefcase or piece of equipment than can be placed under the passenger’s seat weighing 5 kilos at most and size not to exceed 115 cm.
• One overcoat, wrap or blanket.
• One umbrella and/or cane.
• One small camera or pair of binoculars.
• Reasonable amount of reading material for the flight.

Children up to two years of age paying 10% of ticket:

• Baby food to be eaten during the flight.
• One basket or equivalent baby carrier (may also be transported in the luggage compartment of the aircraft).

Handicapped passengers that require the use of the items listed below:

• Crutches or any orthopedic devices.
• Wheelchair that can be fully dismantled. (This item is included in the hand luggage allowance and can however be placed in the luggage compartment).

These rules are valid only for flights in aircraft with a seating capacity of over 50. In the event of aircraft having a smaller seating capacity, each airline has its own specific regulations regarding permissible hand luggage size and weight.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

If a flight is cancelled by the airline, the passenger is entitled to choose to take another flight, request reimbursement or endorsement of the ticket. In the event that the passenger decides not to travel, they should notify the airline of the cancellation at least four hours prior to the scheduled flight time printed on the ticket. It is also important to check with the travel agent or airline, in view of the different ticket rates and a number of procedures that must be complied with in each event.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

On domestic flights
Baggage is considered lost when it is not delivered to the destination. When this happens, passengers should go to the airline counter and fill out the Lost Baggage Report (Registro de Ocorrência – RO). The ANAC Civil Aviation inspector, located in the Civil Aviation Section l (SAC) found in all major Brazilian airports, must be called in, in the event of any problems.
Once the loss has been confirmed, the airline has a 30-day term in which to locate and return the baggage. After this date has lapsed, the passenger must be indemnified by the airline. As a preventative measure, passengers must declare the values assigned to the luggage upon payment of a surcharge stipulated by the airline. In this event, the airline is entitled to verify the contents of the baggage and that the value of the indemnity is that declared and accepted by the company.
Objects regarded as valuables, such as jewelry, negotiable bonds or cash must be carried in the hand luggage and the company is exempt from liability for losses or damages. In the event of damaged baggage, the same rules apply. Only those objects destroyed or damaged that have been claimed shall be acknowledged for the purpose of indemnity.

On international flights
The Warsaw Convention limits airline liability to US$ 20 per kilo of lost luggage. The passenger can also opt to dispatch their belongings, safeguarding them based on the Special Interest Declaration (Declaração Especial de Interesse). This document lists in detail the contents of each bag. It is only possible to receive full indemnity based on this document and the liability of the airline prevails over all goods contained therein.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

If passengers believe that they received poor service from one of the airline employees, they should seek the ANAC Civil Aviation inspector in the Civil Aviation Section (SAC) located in major Brazilian airports. You can register a formal complaint with ANAC by completing a formal complaint form (Registro de Ocorrência - RO). A complaint can also be made by filing a document with the Regional Civil Aviation Management or at ANAC (Aeroporto Internacional de Brasília - Setor de Concessionárias, Lote 5, Brasília/DF - 71.608-900), or by e-mail at arus@anac.gov.br. The complaint will be forwarded to the chief executive officer of the airline involved or the responsible department at Infraero.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

Overbooking occurs when a passenger cannot board a flight for which there is a reservation due to excess passengers. In this event, the airline is obliged to accommodate the passenger on another flight within a maximum time limit of four hours. If the terms are complied with, passengers can choose to take another flight with the same airline, endorse the ticket or request reimbursement for the ticket. If passengers choose to take another flight, the airline must provide food, lodging, communications and transportation to the hotel and back to the airport.
The passenger can also choose to be a volunteer passenger and accept travel on a flight other than the original one reserved. In this event the airlines must offer compensation, which may be in the form of seating in an upgraded class or a credit, which may be used for payment of excess baggage, purchase of another ticket or converted into cash within a maximum period of 30 days. Additionally, the passenger can also retain the right to use the original ticket and any expenses for food, transportation, lodging and phone calls resulting from the overbooking shall be at the expense of the airline.
The passengers are entitled to all these rights provided they have a confirmed and reserved seat and arrive for check-in at the airline at least 30 minutes prior to domestic flights and one hour before international flights.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

In the event of any aircraft disaster all airlines operating in Brazil and for Brazil must provide assistance to the families of passengers that were on board. The airlines must provide 0800 service access to information related to the accident, notify in person the families of the victims prior to disclosure in the press of the passenger list and extend transportation to the families to the location of the disaster as well as lodging, food, and medical and psychological aide.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

The air ticket, including e-tickets (bought over the internet) guarantees the passenger credit. Therefore, if it is still valid, the user shall be reimbursed for the amount effectively paid and price level restated based on the rate used on the date on which the reimbursement is requested. In relation to international tickets, the amount will be calculated on the basis of the foreign exchange rate of the day. The terms for reimbursement may vary according to the rate and form of payment established with the airline. The maximum reimbursement term is 30 days after the date of the request.
Passengers are entitled to endorse the ticket ensuring that they can exchange the ticket from one airline to another. Endorsement depends on the convention signed by the airlines.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

Airlines must assure priority in passenger service to those who are 65 years of age or older, are ill or have physical or mental handicaps, pregnant women and passengers with children under 12 years of age (Ordinance 676/GC-5, dated November 12, 2000 - Art. 18).
Passengers must identify themselves at the airline counter before boarding. Identification must be in the form of presentation of a legally recognized document.
The airline or travel agency must inform the passengers about this requirement at the time that they purchase their tickets.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

Live animals may be transported on non-cargo aircraft in special compartments dedicated to cargo and baggage. The transportation of pets (cats and dogs) in the passenger cabin is allowed, provided that they are safely transported in approved carriers and do not bother the other passengers. Specially trained dogs for the sight or hearing impaired are also allowed in the passenger cabin. These passengers must present a health declaration provided by the Animal Defense Department Post of the State Secretary of Agriculture or by a veterinarian.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

Requirements for transportation of minors (under the age of 8) on domestic and international plane flights.
Airlines must, in the event of an unaccompanied child (under the age of 12) and/or adolescent (from 12 to 18 years of age) traveling on a domestic flight, require a legal document, as established by the child and adolescent legal authorities or their representative, in compliance with Articles 83, 84 and 85, of Law 8.069, issued on July 13, 1990 – Children and Adolescent Act.
In cases in which there are unaccompanied children traveling on domestic flights, Authorizations can be issued by the Children’s District Court by a Notary with witnessed signature. In the case of children traveling on domestic flights accompanied by at least one twice removed relative, this relation must be proven by producing a Birth Certificate and identification that corroborate the family tie.
In the event of an adolescent traveling on domestic territory, the document may be a Birth Certificate (original or notarized copy) or Brazilian Passport, or Identification Card (RG) issued by the Public Security Secretary of one of the States or the Federal District or Identification Cards issued by the Ministries or agencies subordinate to the President of the Republic including Navy, Army and Air Force Commands and the Defense Ministry.
The document presented in relation to international travel must be a Passport. Adolescents traveling internationally who are unaccompanied must have authorization from their father and mother in writing in addition to the Passport. If travelling with one of the parents, grandparents or other relatives which are no more than twice removed, children or adolescents must have authorization from one of the parents.
Source: ANAC - http://www.anac.gov.br/anac/FAQOuvidoria.asp

Children and Adolescents Statute
Section III – Authorization to travel
Art. 83 – No child may travel outside the district in which they reside, unless in the company of the parents or the person responsible, without the express judicial authorization.
§ 1º - Authorization will not be required:
a) - in relation to the district contiguous to that of the residence of the child within the same state of the union, or included in the same metropolitan region;
b) – if the child is accompanied:
1) by a relative no more than twice removed and bearing documental corroboration of the relationship;
2) if with an adult who has been expressly authorized by the father, mother or person responsible.
§ 2º - Judicial authorization at the request of the parents or the person responsible can be granted and remains valid for two years.

Art. 84 – When traveling abroad, authorization can be exempted if the child or adolescent:
I – is accompanied by both parents or person responsible;
II – if traveling in the company of one of the parents, who has been expressly authorized to do so by the other, on the basis of a document bearing a notarized signature.
Art. 85 – No child or adolescent born on national territory shall leave the country in the company of a foreigner resident or domiciled abroad, without prior and express judicial authorization.
Source: Infraero - http://www.infraero.gov.br/guia.php

Customs is an official government agency that controls goods entering the country and goods exiting the country and is responsible as well for the collection of the appropriate duties.
Pay attention to the goods that cannot be brought in and taken out by travelers. Check the section related to travelers arriving in Brazil, which you need to know and travelers leaving Brazil, which you need to know and clarify any doubts you may have.
Source: Internal Revenue

Depending on where the traveler is going certain precautions must be taken to prevent getting ill. Therefore, necessary information and orientation to travelers must be part of travel planning. Some measures must be taken prior to traveling, such as vaccine against yellow fever which is mandatory to enter some countries and must be taken at least 10 days before traveling.
The vaccination must be recorded on the International Certificate of Vaccination, which is issued at any of the ANVISA posts at Ports, Airports and Borders. In the event of any health problem, which would make vaccination inadvisable consult your physician, request a declaration and present it at one of the ANVISA posts so that an International Certificate of Vaccination Exemption can be issued.
Other vaccinations are recommended as a preventative measure for travelers who will be visiting another country such as the measles, mumps and German measles vaccine and the diphtheria and tetanus vaccine or hepatitis B and when traveling countries endemic to polio, influenza and meningococcal meningitis. The main guideline provided by ANVISA is that the traveler keeps up all vaccines as scheduled by the Health Ministry’s National Immunization Program.
Source: Anvisa - http://www.anvisa.gov.br/paf/viajantes/antes_viajar.htm

Click here to learn the addresses of several consulates.
Source: MRE

Passport
The Brazilian passport is an official document, issued by the Federal Police Department (DPF, in the Portuguese acronym), which identifies Brazilian citizens before the authorities of other countries and allowing notations of entries and exits through the ports, airports and international access ways. It also enables entry visa authorizations to be entered. Without a passport, entry of Brazilians to foreign countries will not be permitted, except Mercosur countries, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, provided that the traveler presents a Brazilian identification card which is not older than 10 years from the date that it was issued and is in good state of repair, issued by the public security secretaries of one of the states of the union and no other identification documents issued by other agencies and government offices shall be acceptable even if they are acceptable in Brazil.
Source: DPF

Visas
A visa is a document issued by a country extending a given person permission to enter the country for a certain period of time and for certain purposes. Many countries require that travelers are in possession of a valid visa as a term for the entrance to foreigners, but there are exceptions. Visas are generally stamped or attached to the passport of the holder. Entry into a country without a valid visa or valid exemption to conduct activities that are not covered by a visa (for example, working with a tourist visa), shall result in the individual becoming an illegal immigrant, generally subject to deportation to their country of birth.

Common types of visa include:
Transit: generally valid for three days or less to pass through a country on the way to a third location.
Tourist: issued for a period of time limited to travel for pleasure and no business activities are permitted. Generally this is the only visa extended free of charge.
Business: for persons working abroad.
Student: enabling studies at learning institutions.

To acquire a visa, passengers must seek out a consulate or embassy of the country they wish to visit, present the documents required and in some cases pay a fee for the issuance of the visa.

Click here to find the addresses of several consulates.
Source: MRE