Flights to Fortaleza

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

There are regular flights to Fortaleza from all major Brazilian Cities. Your Best Brazilian Airline choices are VARIG (The National Airline), TAM or GOL If you are planning on taking multiple flights within Brazil TAM offers an 
Air Pass and may be your best choice for Domestic Travel!

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

FROM EUROPE:

Most direct flights to Fortaleza from European cities such as Madrid, Milan, London, Paris, Amsterdam and others, connect in Lisbon with Air Portugal flight 0163, before going on to Fortaleza. TAP Flight 0163 arrives daily in Fortaleza International Airport at 
7:40 PM.                                   

As of December 2007 these are 
the only regularly scheduled direct flights from Europe.

Fortaleza also receives charter flights from Amsterdam, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary and Poland.

 FROM THE UNITED STATES:

As of November of 2007 there are no direct flights to Fortaleza from 
North America. You must catch a connecting flight to Fortaleza in Rio or Sao Paulo.

The main departure points from the United States are New York 
(American, Delta orTAM), Atlanta (Delta), Miami (American or TAM) 
and Houston (Continental).

 American Airlines                    

 Delta Air Lines                               

FLIGHTS TO FORTALEZA FROM THE UNITED STATES

Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 27, 2008

United States and Brazil Agree to Expand Air Services 

The United States and Brazil have reached agreement on a package of significant liberalization measures in our air transportation relations, 
which will strengthen and expand our already strong trade and tourism links with this important Latin American partner. 

The agreement will provide for a nearly 50 percent increase in passenger flights between the two countries and eliminate a number of restrictions on U.S.-Brazil air service. The agreement was initialed on June 26, after three days of negotiations in Washington between a Brazilian delegation, led by Ronaldo Seroa da Motta, Director of the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil, and a U.S. delegation, led by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, which included officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Any number of U.S. or Brazilian airlines may now serve the market. The agreement will permit additional weekly flights, phased in over the next four years, from 105 to 154 for each country’s carriers. Under the new accord, U.S. and Brazilian carriers for the first time will be able to provide some services on a code-share basis with their third-country partner airlines. The agreement also allows U.S. carriers to serve five new cities in Brazil, including Fortaleza and Curitiba.

Both countries intend to meet again before the end of 2010 to discuss further expansion of air service opportunities and to continue to work on eliminating restrictions on carrier operations.
Questions concerning this agreement may be directed to Ms. Terri Robl, Director, Office of Aviation Negotiations, U.S. Department of State, telephone: 202-647-5843

Released on June 27, 2008
 
                                                                                                 
 

Various South American carriers such as Aerolinas Argentina and LAN Airlines(Chile) have regular flights to Rio and Sao Paulo as well.

Having to make a connection in Rio or Sao Paulo is a hassle. BUT Fortaleza's year-round perfect climate and the best beaches in South America make it worth the effort!

There have been direct flights to Fortaleza from the United States and probably will be again sometime soon. In the past the direct flights were more expensive than discounted fares that went through Rio and Sao Paulo.

GOOD ADVICE: Having made the trip to Fortaleza many times from both Europe and the United States. What makes the difference between a tiring long trip and a relatively easy one...

FIRST TIP: If you are going through Rio or Sao Paulo, book an overnight flight and get some sleep on the plane. Leave yourself a little extra time to make your connection to Fortaleza. It's better to be a little early than to miss the flight completely.

SECOND TIP: Make sure your connecting flight to Fortaleza is a direct flight that does not make stops. Two good examples of this are: Flights to Fortaleza from Rio or Sao Paulo often stop in Recife or Natal. You get to stay aboard but it still adds hours to an already long trip.

If you can accomplish that, you arrive in Fortaleza before 1 pm in the afternoon!

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT: Take extra care in checking the details on all of your flights and connections when traveling in Brazil. When booking your trip ask for flights that DO NOT MAKE STOPS!.

Try to book your flights as far in advance as possible. Especially if you are traveling between December and March or July and August...This will give you more options. Usually the Non-Stop Flights are booked first!

To make the best flight choices to Fortaleza, start by going to the major carriers that fly internationally from your city of departure. Make a note of flight numbers, schedules and rates.Then do the same with a few of the online discount sites like Trip Advisor or Cheap Flights. Again making a note of the details.

But BEFORE you book your flight you may want to call a local agency that specializes in discount airfare to Brazil! Most often you will find your best deal there! And it gives you the opportunity to ask about any restrictions, penalties, or unwanted STOPS!