This is a Azul Brazilian Airlines connecting flights guide.
This guide includes information about Azul connecting flights, baggage policy, air passengers rights and compensation regulations. Azul Brazilian Airlines (Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras) is considered to be a low cost airline. But despite that, Azul offers connecting flights, on-board meals and two seating classes (Economy and Business).
According to Skytrax, the service the airline provides sits between low-cost and full service airlines”. Azul offers a wide flight network within Brazil, and international flights to a few countries in the Americas and Europe.
Did you miss a connecting flight? File a compensation claim online.
1
Is It Protected?
Yes, it’s a protected connection.
Traditional airlines sell airline-protected connecting flights. It’s more convenient and more safe than self-transfer flights. You don’t need a visa for connecting flights like this.
Unless you book flights separately.
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2
Baggage Rules
Airline takes care of your baggage.
Mostly, you will check in baggage only once — you won’t have to recheck baggage for every flight. This is how it works with full-service airlines and airline-protected connecting flights.
Baggage allowance depends on the ticket, destination and occasionally some other factors.
3
Travel Insurance
Make your trip more safe.
Add travel insurance right away. Protect yourself against possible itinerary changes later right from the very beginning. Insurance must be for the duration of the trip.
Make your trip safe from day 1.
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1. Azul Brazilian Airlines Connecting Flights
Azul is considered to be a low-cost airline.
But, unlike many others, it offers connecting flights.
Azul Airlines connecting flight are protected, just like connecting flights operated by traditional airlines. On airline-protected connecting flights, passengers are protected against missed connections (if the flight was missed through no fault of your own), flight cancellation, flight delay and denied boarding.
Airline-protected connecting flights are better than self transfers.
Airline-protected connecting flights are:
- Safer. Your airline takes care of flight problems.
- More convenient. Baggage transfer is automatic.
- Easier to book. You book several flights as a single journey.
Yes, Azul sells airline-protected connecting flights.
1.1 Connecting Flights, One Airline
You have booked a connecting flight with Azul.
In some situations, your connecting flight will be operated only by Azul. All of the sections of your journey will be operated by the same airline — Azul. You will fly on Azul planes, manned by Azul staff. But it’s not the case with every connecting flight booked from Azul.
1.2 Azul Codeshare Partners
Sometimes airlines share their flights.
Azul also shares flights with other airlines. It is done to widen the flight network. So the airline is able to offer flights to destinations it doesn’t service, just because it has agreements with other airlines that service those destinations.
How does it work? You book a connecting flight with Azul. But a part of if (or even all of it) will be operated by another airline. You will fly with another airline, on their airplane. Connecting flights with different airlines is nothing unusual. These kind of flights are called codeshare flights, and airlines collaborating — codeshare partners.
What you should know is that:
- If you miss a connecting flight (through no fault of your own), it’s not your responsibility. Contact Azul to find out what are your options. In most cases, you will be offered a new flight. As long as it’s an Azul connection booked from Azul, you don’t have to worry. Even when a part of the connecting flight is operated by a partner airline.
- If your flight is heavily delayed, cancelled or overbooked, compensation is paid by airline operating this particular flight. If it’s operated by some other airline, not Azul, then they are called operating airline — they have to pay compensation when it’s due.
See a list of Azul codeshare partners here.
2. What If Azul Cancels a Flight?
Why is Azul cancelling flights?
Flights are cancelled every day. Unfortunately, it’s very common for flights to be cancelled. There are a number of reasons why flights are cancelled. The most common reasons are: bad weather, strikes, staffing shortages, security issues, airport congestion and various technical problems.
2.1 One of Your Flights Is Cancelled
Azul is a Brazilian carrier.
It’s not a European airline. But on some of its flights you are still protected by the European laws.
According to the EU Regulation 261/2004, Azul must:
- Offer you a choice between a new flight and full refund.
- Offer you assistance at the airport (you have a right to care).
This applies only to their flights departing from European airports.
If you miss your connecting flight because your previous flight was cancelled, Azul airlines has to offer you a new plane ticket free of charge. If your flight is departing from a European airport, you can ask for a refund instead.
You also may have a right to compensation (more on this below).
Did you miss a connecting flight? File a compensation claim online.
2.2 All Your Flights Are Cancelled
Overall, for you as a passenger, the options are the same.
According to the EU Regulation 261/2004, Azul must:
- Offer you a choice between a new flight and full refund.
- Offer you assistance at the airport if it’s a last-minute cancellation and you are already at the airport (you have a right to care).
This applies to all their flights departing from Europe.
Refund must be paid within seven days.
You may have a right to EU flight cancellation compensation.
2.3 Azul Refund for Cancellation
Yes, in some cases, you have a right to ask for a refund.
If your cancelled Azul flight is departing from a European airport, you can choose either a new flight or full refund. The refund must be paid by bank transfer within 7 days. You don’t have to accept any coupons.
3. Azul Missed Connecting Flight
Why do people miss their connecting flights?
There are a number of reasons. From a silly mistake (e.g., waiting at the wrong gate) to a more serious issue like late incoming aircraft.
3.1 What Happens If You Miss Azul Connection?
If it’s your fault that it happened — it’s your responsibility.
If it’s not your fault, then your airline has to take care of that. If you booked a flight from Azul, it doesn’t even matter if the flight is operated by Azul or not, you should contact Azul. It’s their responsibility to find a solution. You missed a connecting flight, Azul must offer you a solution.
According to the EU Regulation 261/2004, they must:
- Take you to your final destination as soon as possible.
- Offer you assistance at the airport (you have a right to care).
Read more: Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay
3.2 Right to Compensation from Azul
Sometimes you have a right to compensation.
Even if your flight was with Azul. In some cases, you are still protected by the EU.
If your Azul flight:
- Departs from the EU, EEA or UK
- Is 3+ hours late and
- Is delayed or cancelled due to the fault of the airline
Then you may be entitled to compensation from Azul. Don’t forget that this applies only to Azul flights departing from Europe.
Flight cancelled less than 2 weeks before the trip?
You might be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
GET FLIGHT COMPENSATION
File a Claim Online
3.3 Right to Care from Azul
On all Azul flights departing from Europe you have a right to care.
According to the EU Regulation 261/2004 airline should provide:
- Free food and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time.
- Free hotel accommodation if a stay of one or more nights is necessary.
- Free airport transfer to hotel and back.
- Plus, two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails.
In case of Azul, the regulation applies only to flights departing from European airports (EU, UK, EEA).
When it comes to air passenger rights, unless otherwise stated, we talk about air passenger rights in the EU, EEA and UK. When we say Europe or European, we mean EU, EEA or UK. This is done for the simplicity, since the according laws in these countries are about the same.
4. How to Book Connecting Flights with Azul?
You can do it directly from Azul or via a third-party.
The best way is to book flights directly from the airline. But it’s not always the cheapest option. There are a number of third party flight booking sites that offer better flight deals than the airlines themselves. That’s why many people to choose to book flights using third party flight booking websites.
If you are booking your flight using a third party site, make sure it’s trustworthy.
How to Book?
Airline website (directly).
This is the easiest way to book a connecting flight. It’s also the safest way to book a connection. You make a single booking, have a single reservation code and the booking includes several flights. Sometimes they are all with one airline, other times – two or more. Anyway, in this case, you can be 100% sure that you have a proper connecting flight.
Other Option
Flight booking websites.
Few examples: skyscanner.net, expedia.com, momondo.com.
Pay attention to the details. Because some of these sites are only search engines, and sellers are other websites. Apart from that, they often sell both airline-protected connecting flights and self-transfer flights. If it’s a self-transfer, know that it comes with its own risks, and there are things you should take into account. Self-transfer is not the same thing as airline-protected transfer.
For extra protection, buy also a travel insurance covering flight disruptions, or book with sites like kiwi.com, who offer extra protection.
With kiwi.com you are more protected than normally.
Read more: How to Book Connecting Flights?
5. Azul Connecting Flights: Baggage
With Azul, everything’s very easy.
Baggage rules on connecting flights with Azul are simple.
In short, Azul takes care of your baggage. You check your bag in only once, before your first flight, and the airline takes care of your luggage throughout the journey. You don’t have to collect and recheck baggage between flights. Unless you have a self-transfer flight, or you’re traveling through a country that requires everyone to collect and recheck their baggage (e.g., US).
Ask the staff if you aren’t sure about the destination of your bag.
5.1 Baggage Transfer: Different Airlines
What happens if there are several airlines?
What if one of your flights is operated by different airline, not Azul? As we already talked, you may experience this, because Azul does share some of its flights with its codeshare partners. In this situation the rules are the same — your baggage is being taken care of by an airline. In most situations you won’t have to worry about it. Ask the staff if you aren’t sure about the destination of your bag.
Read more:
- Connecting Flight Baggage Transfer: Different Airlines
- Lost Baggage on Connecting Flights
- Delayed Baggage on Connecting Flights
- What is Checked Baggage?
5.2 Azul Free Baggage Allowance
Baggage allowance varies — it’s not the same on all flights.
Free baggage allowance depends on travel class, ticket type and destination. You can see baggage allowance when booking a flight. If you have already booked your flight, but don’t know what is the baggage allowance, go to “Manage my booking” section on the airline’s webpage. Log in using your booking confirmation number and last name. You’ll see all the information about your flight.
5.3 Economy Light
This is the cheapest option for long-haul flights.
Economy Light comes without free baggage allowance.
We see this all across the industry. Full-service traditional airlines are offering also tickets without free checked baggage allowance. The wording is also often the same — Economy Light. So, if you see this, most likely it’s without checked baggage (carry on baggage only).
When you see cheap Azul flights, check if the cheap fare includes baggage allowance. The cheapest fare (Economy Azul) doesn’t offer free baggage allowance. The next ticket fare, Economy maisAzul, includes free checked baggage.
Read more: What Is Carry-on Bag / Baggage?
6. Connecting Flight Examples
Here are two connecting flight examples with Azul.
6.1 Protected Connecting Flights with Azul (Most Common)
For this example I’ll use the website of Azul.
For example, I want to fly from Sao Paulo (GRU) to Los Angeles (LAX).
I have found flights for November 15, and these are some of the options:
On their website Azul sells protected connecting flights. However, as we can see, not all of the flights are operated by Azul. In our case, all of the flights are operated by United. There are no Azul flights at all. But it’s OK, because United is Azul’s codeshare partner. They have an agreement, and such connecting flights are protected by the airline, even if these connecting flights are operated by a partner.
Also note that total flight duration, number of stops and price also vary.
6.2 Self-Transfer Flights with Azul
Now, let’s assume, that my itinerary is slightly more complex.
I want to go to San Francisco. Los Angeles is not my final destination. I am flying to San Francisco after spending a couple of days in Los Angeles.
- I can book a connecting flight to Los Angeles, like in the example above. For example, I am booking the cheapest option (the second one). It lands in LA at 10:26 am.
- And then I will visit kiwi.com, or some other flight booking website, and book a flight from LA to San Francisco. Leaving myself, let’s say, 2 days in Los Angeles.
Until LA, you have an airline-protected connecting flight. If your first flight is delayed or cancelled, Azul will take put you on another flight for free. However, the last leg, Los Angeles – San Francisco, is not a part of a connection. It’s a separate flight, and you will need to check in for this flight separately. Take this into account and don’t risk with short layovers / stopovers.
What is your experience with Azul Brazilian Airlines? Have you ever missed a connecting flight with Azul Brazilian Airlines? How did the airline solve this? Did you receive compensation from Azul Brazilian Airlines?
Featured photo by Lukas Souza on Unsplash
About the author:
Una is an organized globetrotter and foodie who’s been living a digital nomad lifestyle since 2013. She always starts her day early with a good book before diving into work. Apart from traveling and aviation, her other passions include gym, hiking and cycling. Una is also a strong proponent of AI technology. She firmly believes in its potential to simplify life and has often advocated for its wider adoption in our day-to-day activities. Her favorite airlines are Qatar Airways, Emirates, and KLM.
