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United partner Azul, a Brazilian low cost carrier, is adding flies to the United States in December 2014.
- December 1, 2014: Viracopos-Campinas (VCP) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- December 15, 2014: Viracopos-Campinas (VCP) to Orlando (MCO)
Note that Viracopos-Campinas is often called a Sao Paulo airport. It is about 50 miles from the city center and farther away than Sao Paulo’s other international airport (GRU.)
These new American destinations are in addition to the 100+ destinations served in Brazil.
You can book Azul flight with United miles. Azul’s planes are in an all-economy configuration, and United charges 30,000 miles each way between the United States and Brazil.
- How is the Azul experience?
- How can you book Azul flights with United miles?
- Where does Azul fly to from Viracopos airport?
Azul Experience
Azul was founded by the same guy that started JetBlue and offers some similar features including offering a free checked bag and live TV at every seat. Besides live TV, the other reason I love JetBlue is that every seat has 2-3″ more leg room than most American airlines. I don’t believe that’s the case with Azul.
How to Book Azul Flights
You can book Azul domestic flights online at united.com for 12,500 miles each way and modest taxes.
The problem is that while united.com seems to recognize the airport code VCP, searching for it brings an error.
Since both of Azul’s flights to the United States depart an airport that United can’t seem to search, you’d have to call 800-UNITED-1 to search and book award space on these Azul flights.
Where Azul Flies from VCP
Azul flies throughout Brazil from Viracopos-Campinas (VCP) including to Rio de Janeiro.
Bottom Line
United’s non-Star Alliance partner, Azul Brazilian Airlines will begin to fly two flights to the United States in December 2014, from Viracopos-Campinas (50 miles from Sao Paulo) to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.
The space should be bookable for 30,000 miles each way, but it is not appearing on united.com because united.com is unwilling to search VCP airport.
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I ended up flying 10 segments on Azul during the World Cup (all booked through United.com). From the branding and graphic design down to the service and seatback TVs, it’s very much like jetBlue… except, you’re right, the legroom is not like jetBlue’s.
I flew into and out of VCP several times and they actually have a free Azul shuttle service to and from VCP to a few locations in central Sao Paulo. It was easy and convenient the two times I used it.
Lastly, maybe its because I only booked intra-Brazil flights, but United.com had no problem finding and booking VCP flights. So maybe it’s a glitch with international flights? Hopefully it will be worked out soon.
Thanks for the First Hand report, Jake.
On the International flights Azul is offering Business Class seats.
Cheers!
Any info on it?
Actually you can look up azul space to vcp on united, just use SAO for the airport code and it will show the space to vcp.