Domestic flight booking and planning

When flying to Brazil with Ethiopian Airlines (e.g., from Moscow via Addis Ababa): Aircraft are acceptable, not new. Onboard WiFi is paid and can be unreliable. Meals are standard (two on long flights), drinks are unlimited (including beer, wine). Long-haul flights (e.g., Addis Ababa-São Paulo) can be full. Passengers can bid for 'no neighbor' seats (empty adjacent seats) via upgrade offers sent after ticket purchase. This option typically costs around 200 for one seat or 335 for two seats (currency unspecified) and requires payment with a foreign credit card. Booking prices varied: ~153,000 RUB (2 weeks before departure, one-way), ~63,000 RUB (one-way from Abu Dhabi).

Cabo Verde Airlines is reportedly resuming operations, with rumors of significantly reduced ticket prices to Europe (half price). A past travel experience with the airline was described as challenging but worthwhile due to the cost savings. The airline is currently operating twice weekly flights from Recife. This could be a cost-effective option for travel to Europe.

When purchasing flight tickets directly on LATAM or GOL websites in Brazil, users often encounter difficulties. A common solution is to use flight aggregators. These platforms can process purchases for the same airlines, often bypassing the direct website's complications and ensuring a smoother transaction.

Royal Air Maroc offers a free hotel voucher, airport transfer, breakfast, and lunch for layovers exceeding 8 hours (e.g., on flights from Moscow to São Paulo via Casablanca). If booking on the official website fails, tickets can be successfully purchased by calling the airline's customer service office.

Inquire about the possibility of direct flights between Russia and Brazil in 2026. Historically, direct connections have been limited, with recent examples including flights to Venezuela and Cuba. This information is relevant for family travel planning, especially for birth tourism.

A budget-friendly travel option to Brazil from Istanbul via Casablanca on Royal Morocco Airlines is described. The total cost was approximately 556 units of currency plus 140 for a cat traveling in the cabin. The itinerary included a 19-hour layover in Casablanca with complimentary hotel accommodation, breakfast, and airport transfers. In-flight internet was also available. While service quality may differ from premium airlines, the value for the price is highlighted.

Online check-in for joint flight itineraries often fails when tickets are issued via different booking sources or separate transaction references. If online check-in fails, the passenger must complete the process at the airport check-in counter.

When airfare from São Paulo (SP) to Rio de Janeiro (Rio) is excessively high (e.g., during weekends, prices can triple), consider alternative travel options. A common choice is the overnight bus service, offering comfortable 'leito' or 'semi-leito' seating for sleeping. Another strategy for expensive flights (e.g., up to $300 savings) is to stay in an Airbnb near the airport for a couple of nights and fly out on a weekday when prices are lower.

Provide advice on booking domestic flights in Brazil, specifically from Sao Paulo to Foz do Iguacu. Discuss current price trends, recommended airlines (Gol, Latam), airport choices (GRU vs. CGH), and strategies for finding better prices, including monitoring and potential price drops closer to the date.

When an airline like Gol cancels a flight shortly before departure (e.g., one hour prior), passengers may face issues with accommodation and rebooking, especially if the original ticket was a non-refundable, advance purchase at a lower fare. Low-cost carriers are known for such sudden cancellations. While airlines might rebook passengers for a later flight, compensation for consequential losses like hotel bookings may depend on the airline's specific policies and the fare rules. It is advisable to check the airline's terms and conditions or contact their support for resolution. If the cancellation is significant, seeking alternative arrangements or compensation according to passenger rights might be necessary.

On Royal Air Maroc flights from Moscow to São Paulo via Casablanca, some seats (e.g., row 7) are premium economy with more space, while others (e.g., row 20) are standard with less comfort. It is possible to request seat changes at the check-in counter or at the RAM representation office during transit (e.g., 2nd floor in Casablanca airport). Success may vary; some report easy changes, others faced issues with changes for connecting flights at origin.

Ethiopian Airlines flights to Brazil (e.g., ET506 Addis Ababa to São Paulo) have been observed to make unscheduled stops in African countries like Cameroon or Togo. These diversions are not always related to health emergencies like Ebola outbreaks but can be for routine technical stops, refueling, or passenger boarding. While it's prudent to stay informed about health advisories, such intermediate stops are a known operational pattern for the airline on this route.

Ethiopian Airlines flights from Russia to Brazil depart from Moscow Domodedovo (DME) with a layover in Addis Ababa. Service frequency is typically 2-3 times per week; schedules should be verified directly on the airline's official website.

To book flights and specific seats (e.g., extra legroom) with some airlines, direct communication via email may be required. Airlines can provide payment links for credit card transactions, including for Brazilian Real transactions via local bank accounts (e.g., in Alfa-Bank). Changes to return dates can also be arranged via email.

Experiences with Brazilian airlines LATAM and Gol. One user reported significant overbooking and delays with LATAM, affecting a group of 16 people across multiple flights (Sao Paulo-Brasilia, Brasilia-Cascavel, Cascavel-Rio). Another user had a positive experience in October with LATAM and Gol, experiencing only minor delays of about 20 minutes.