GOL Linhas Aéreas: your traveler's guide to flying Brazil

Everything for a GOL trip in one place, the São Paulo, Rio and Brasília hubs and their routes, fares from Basic to Flex plus Premium Economy and INSIGNIA Business, baggage, check-in and Smiles, plus how to reach GOL directly or get help from a live BargainAirTicket agent, 24/7 in English and Spanish.

BargainAirTicket is an independent travel agency. We are not GOL Linhas Aéreas and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by GOL Linhas Aéreas. This guide is for information only. You can manage your booking yourself at voegol.com.br at no cost. If you'd rather we handle it, our agents assist for a service fee, quoted before you're charged.

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About GOL Linhas Aéreas

A quick profile of the carrier.

GOL Linhas Aéreas (IATA code G3) is Brazil's largest low-cost carrier, built around São Paulo's Guarulhos and Congonhas airports with strong bases in Rio de Janeiro and Brasília. It flies an extensive domestic Brazilian network plus international routes across South America and to the United States. GOL is low-cost but not ultra-stripped: a 10 kg personal item is free on every fare, including Basic. Its fares run Basic, Light, Classic and Flex, with Premium Economy and the INSIGNIA Business cabin above them. GOL is not part of a global alliance, though it has interline and codeshare partners including American and Air France-KLM. Its loyalty program is Smiles. The legal entity is GOL Linhas Aéreas S.A., headquartered at Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro.

Model

Low cost

Main hub

São Paulo GRU

Loyalty

Smiles

Alliance

None

Hubs & route network

Where the airline is based and where it flies.

GOL is built around a handful of strong Brazilian connecting points. Your GOL trip most likely routes through one of these:

GRU

São Paulo, Guarulhos

Largest hub

CGH

São Paulo, Congonhas

Domestic hub

GIG

Rio de Janeiro

Hub

BSB

Brasília

Hub

REC

Recife

Northeast focus

MIA

Miami

US gateway

São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) and Congonhas (CGH) are GOL's busiest connecting points, anchoring its domestic Brazilian network. Many trips within Brazil, and between Brazil and the rest of South America or the US, route through São Paulo.

GOL Linhas Aéreas route network

Schematic of the airline's main hubs and popular routes we book, not to scale. For the full current network, see voegol.com.br.

Popular routes we book

Call for phone-only fares.

São Paulo → Rio de Janeiro GRU-GIGCall for fare São Paulo → Brasília GRU-BSBCall for fare São Paulo → Miami GRU-MIACall for fare Rio → Buenos Aires GIG-EZECall for fare

Fares & cabins, what's included

GOL's fares and cabins, from the lowest up. Exact inclusions vary by route and whether you fly domestic or international.

Basic

The lowest, most restricted fare, non-refundable with no checked bag and no second cabin bag. It still includes the free 10 kg personal item. Best only when price is all that matters.

Light

A step up from Basic, adding the free second cabin bag on tickets that qualify, but still without a checked bag included.

Classic

Adds a first checked bag and more flexibility, a common middle choice for travellers with luggage.

Flex

GOL's most flexible economy fare, fully refundable with no change fee, plus a checked bag. Best when your plans may move.

Premium Economy

A more comfortable cabin above economy on eligible aircraft, with a checked bag included.

INSIGNIA Business

GOL's flagship cabin, the most spacious seat and service, with first and second checked bags on the Classic and Flex versions.

Not sure which fare fits your trip and budget? An agent can compare them for you on the call.

Not sure which fare or route is best?

Tell an agent your dates and we'll find the right option, plus phone-only fares across 500+ airlines.

Call +1 (833) 667-2918

Baggage, the essentials

General guidance. Your exact allowance depends on your fare, route and Smiles status.

Personal item, every fare:

A personal item up to 10 kg, about 32 x 43 x 22 cm, is included on all fares including Basic and goes under the seat in front of you. That is unusually generous for a low-cost carrier.

Second cabin bag:

A second small bag up to 12 kg is included free on tickets issued from October 2025 on every fare except Basic. On Basic you would add it separately.

Checked bags climb with the fare:

A standard checked bag is up to 23 kg, maximum 80 x 50 x 28 cm. Basic and Light include none; Classic, Flex and Premium Economy include the first; INSIGNIA Business includes the first and second.

Smiles status can add a bag:

A qualifying Smiles tier can unlock a free checked bag on a fare that otherwise would not include one. Add your Smiles number so it isn't missed.

We can confirm your exact allowance and pre-pay bags for you, just call.

Check-in & boarding

How to be ready on the day.

GOL online check-in on voegol.com.br and the GOL app is the easiest way to check in and usually opens well before departure. Brazilian domestic travel needs valid photo ID: an RG, passport, or driver licence (the physical card or the CNH-e app version, though screenshots are not accepted). A child travelling needs an accompanying birth certificate, and old, laminated or damaged IDs are rejected.

For international departures, Mercosur citizens may use an original ID card or passport, while other foreigners need a passport or a Brazilian immigration document. Boarding closes firmly before departure, and international flights need extra time for documents, so arrive well ahead.

Smiles loyalty program

The airline's frequent-flyer program.

Smiles is GOL's loyalty program, where you earn and redeem miles on GOL and its partners for flights and more. A qualifying Smiles tier can unlock benefits such as a free checked bag on a fare that otherwise would not include one. GOL is not part of a global alliance, but it has interline and codeshare partners, so ask us how your trip earns. If you have a Smiles number, give it to us when booking and we'll add it to your reservation.

GOL Linhas Aéreas: frequently asked

Quick answers, call us for anything specific to your booking.

Is a carry-on free on GOL, even on the cheapest fare?+

Yes. A personal item up to 10 kg, about 32 x 43 x 22 cm, is included free on every GOL fare, including Basic, and fits under the seat in front of you. A second small cabin bag up to 12 kg is also free on most fares except Basic. That makes GOL more generous with cabin baggage than many low-cost carriers.

Can my child fly alone on GOL?+

Only within limits. GOL's Voe Junto unaccompanied-minor service is mandatory for children aged 8 through 15 years and 11 months flying without an adult, and it runs on GOL-operated flights only, not on connections or partner flights. A child under 8 is not carried as an unaccompanied minor at all and must travel with a responsible adult. Brazilian authorization documents are strict, so call us and we'll walk you through it.

Can I bring my pet to the United States on GOL?+

No. GOL does not carry pets to or from the United States, Europe, or Fernando de Noronha, in the cabin or the hold. For those destinations, the only path is GOL's GOLLOG cargo service, arranged separately. If your trip touches any of them, call us before you book so we can plan around it.

Does GOL have a 24-hour refund rule?+

Yes. Under Brazil's consumer-law regret rule, you can cancel for a full fee-free refund within 24 hours of buying, provided the ticket was purchased at least seven days before departure. Timing is strict, so tell us right away if you just booked.

Does GOL accept emotional-support animals?+

No. GOL does not accept emotional-support animals at all. Only certified guide or hearing service dogs travel free in the cabin. If you were counting on an ESA, call us before you book and we'll tell you what is actually possible.

Is GOL in an alliance like Star Alliance or oneworld?+

No. GOL is not part of a global alliance. It does have interline and codeshare partners, including American and Air France-KLM, on certain routes, and its own loyalty program is Smiles.