Flight Delayed or Cancelled in Brazil? How to Get Up to 600 EUR Compensation

Your Flight to São Paulo Was Delayed. Now What?

Flying to Brazil is exciting — until your flight gets delayed 4 hours, cancelled, or you get bumped from an overbooked plane. The good news? You may be entitled to up to 600 EUR in compensation, and claiming it is easier than you think.

Whether you're flying from Europe, the US, or anywhere else to São Paulo's GRU or Congonhas (CGH) airports, this guide covers everything you need to know about your rights.

EU Regulation EC 261/2004 — Your Best Friend

If your flight departed from an EU airport (or was operated by an EU airline), you're protected by EC 261. This means:

São Paulo flights from Europe are almost always 3,500+ km, so you qualify for the maximum 600 EUR.

This applies to: - TAP Portugal, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Swiss, Iberia, British Airways and any EU airline - Any airline (including LATAM) departing from an EU airport - Flights delayed, cancelled, or overbooked

What Doesn't Qualify

• "Extraordinary circumstances" like severe weather or air traffic control strikes
• You were informed of the cancellation 14+ days before departure
• Flights departing from Brazil on non-EU airlines (different rules apply — see below)

Brazilian Law — ANAC Resolution 400

If your flight is within Brazil or departing from Brazil, you're covered by ANAC (Brazil's aviation authority):

Important: Brazilian law gives you immediate assistance rights, but the cash compensation is lower than EU rules. If your flight originated in Europe, always claim under EU EC 261 — it pays much more.

How to Claim Compensation

Option 1: Claim Yourself (Free but Slow)

1. Collect your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and delay proof
2. Write to the airline's customer service
3. Wait 30-60 days for a response
4. If denied, file with ANAC (Brazil) or the relevant EU authority
5. If still denied, go to small claims court

Success rate doing it yourself: ~30% (airlines routinely deny valid claims hoping you'll give up)

Option 2: Use a Claims Service (Recommended)

Services like AirHelp handle everything for you: - Check if your flight qualifies in 2 minutes - They handle all paperwork and legal proceedings - No win, no fee — they only charge if you get compensated (25-35% fee) - Success rate: ~70% (they have legal teams in every EU country)

For a 600 EUR claim, even after the fee you keep 390-450 EUR — money you wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

Check if your flight qualifies →

Real Numbers: São Paulo Flight Disruptions

São Paulo has two airports:

GRU — Guarulhos International

• 40+ million passengers/year
• 70+ international destinations
• Average delay rate: 15-20% of international flights
• Most affected routes: European connections (weather + long-haul)

CGH — Congonhas

• Domestic flights only
• Higher delay rate: 20-25% (runway limitations, fog)
• Ponte aérea (SP-Rio shuttle) frequently delayed

If you fly through São Paulo regularly, the odds of experiencing a qualifying delay over a year of travel are very high.

What to Do Right Now

If Your Flight Was Recently Disrupted:

1. You have up to 3 years to claim under EU law (2 years under Brazilian law)
2. Check your flight with AirHelp — it takes 2 minutes and is free
3. They'll tell you instantly if you qualify and how much you can get

For Future Flights:

• Always keep your boarding pass (physical or digital)
• Screenshot any delay notifications from the airline
• Note the actual departure and arrival times
• Consider AirHelp+ subscription if you fly frequently (covers all your flights automatically)

Other Essential Guides for Your São Paulo Trip

• Where to Stay in São Paulo — Best neighborhoods for every budget
• Airport Transfer Guide — GRU to city center options and prices
• Travel Insurance — Required for most visas
• Safety Guide — Stay safe in South America's largest city
• My Perfect SP Quiz — Get your personalized neighborhood + itinerary in 60 seconds