Brazil Flight Delay Compensation

Let’s talk about Brazil flight delay compensation.

So, you are flying to or from Brazil, and your flight has been delayed. What’s next? What should you do? Could you be entitled to Brazilian flight delay compensation? In short — yes, you are protected by law. Similar like in Europe, there are laws and regulations that protect passengers traveling to or from Brazil, as well as within the country. And that means you are entitled to assistance and, in some situations, compensation from the airline.

Read on to learn more about flight delay compensation in Brazil.

People looking at airport flight information screens
Flight information screens at the airport

Brazil Flight Delay Compensation (ANAC 400)

So, what are your rights in Brazil?

What are your rights in case of flight delay in Brazil?

1. What Happens If Your Brazilian Flight Is Delayed? For 2 Hours? 3 Hours? 5 Hours?

First of all, these rules apply to all Brazilian flights.

This means — flights to Brazil, flights from Brazil, and also domestic flights within Brazil. Whenever a flight to, from or within Brazil gets delayed, the airline has to take care of its passengers. The airline has to take care of you. If your flight has been delayed for more than 1 hour, you are entitled to receive certain services for free. Also you must be notified about your flight status.

According to the regulations, if a flight is delayed, the airline must:

  • Inform you about the flight status.
  • Inform you about the new departure time. You should be receiving updates from the airline every 30 minutes or more often. Most likely this is going to be a regular airport announcement, make sure to pay attention to them.
  • Offer certain services at the airport free of charge (food, drinks, and, in some situations, when an overnight stay is necessary, hotel accommodation and transfer). All according to the length of the delay.
  • Offer you a choice between a new flight and full refund – in case of a long delay or last-minute flight cancellation.

If a flight gets cancelled, you may opt for a refund instead.

In Brazil, air passenger rights are regulated by ANAC 400 (“Resolution No. 400”). It’s the Brazilian flight compensation law. It’s similar to European flight compensation regulation EC 261/2004 and Regulation UK261 in the UK. These rules apply to all airlines.

2. What Does Assistance at the Airport Mean? What Exactly Can You Receive?

If your flight has been delayed, you are entitled to receive certain services.

All of this must be offered completely for free by your airline. These services are provided according to the period a passenger has to wait at the airport. The longer you have to wait at the airport, the more you could be receiving.

These services are as follows:

  • 1-hour flight delay – assistance for communication. If you have to wait 1 hour extra, the airline must give you access to internet or phone calls. So, you can get in touch with your relatives or friends, or anyone else whom you might want to inform about this flight cancellation / travel changes.
  • 2-hour flight delay – free food. After 2 hours, you have a right to some kind of food and refreshments from airline. This as well must be arranged for free. Mostly you’ll be receiving a voucher for a meal or some snack, and drink.
  • 4-hour flight delay – free accommodation + free transfer. But only if it’s happening during the night. And only if it is abroad / away from your home. If it’s your place of residence, you’ll be offered only free transfer.
  • 4-hour flight delay – a new flight. If the delay is going to be 4 hours or more, you have a right to an alternative flight to your destination. The same applies both to domestic and international flights to or from Brazil.

3. Can You Claim Compensation for Flight Delay in Brazil?

In some cases, yes.

If you don’t get any assistance and care from the airline, you could be entitled to compensation of up to €1500. There are no specific compensation amounts according to the distance and length of the flight (as there are in the EU, EEA and UK). The compensation will depend on each passenger’s circumstances and several factors such as the distance of the flight, the reason why the flight was delayed and the type of services (that weren’t offered).

You can get compensation if your flight was:

  • Within the last 5 years – for domestic flights;
  • 2 years – for international flights.

Yes, you can get compensation for old flights too.

4. How Much Can You Claim for Flight Delay in Brazil?

You may get up to €1,500 per passenger.

EU Flight Compensation Regulation (in Brazil)

On some flights you are protected by the EU/UK laws, too.

If your flight departed from the EU, EEA or UK, you may be entitled to EU/UK flight delay compensation. And, in this case, there are more situations when you can receive compensation from the airline. In this case, it’s easier for you to get compensation for Brazilian flight delay. When a flight departs from Europe, these rules apply to all airlines, including non-European airlines, like Turkish Airlines.

What if your flight departed from Brazil?

If it’s a EU, EEA or UK airline, you are protected by EU and UK law.

You only have to make a claim for compensation.

You can do it on your own or via a flight compensation company.

How to Claim Brazil Flight Delay Compensation?

There are two best options that you have.

  1. You can do it on your own. You can contact the airline, and request a compensation for flight delay.
  2. You can work with a flight compensation company. At the moment, your best bet would be AirHelp. They are a market leader in Brazilian flight compensation claims. With them, it’s super simple, quick, and — if it doesn’t work out — you don’t pay anything for their legal services. So, it’s also safe.

Have you ever been in a situation like this? Has your flight from, to or within Brazil ever been delayed? Did the airline offer you assistance at the airport? Did you receive Brazilian flight delay compensation?


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