Spotting in South America. Brazil. Rio de Janeiro Galeao & Santos Dumont & Sao Paulo Congonhas & Guarulhos
Rio De Janeiro Galeao
All International flights from the US and Europe use Galeao. At GIG alot of the usual domestic carriers can be seen. The US traffic tends to arrive early morning and sit on the deck till late evening, European traffic starts early afternoon.
Spotting from the Terminals
The only place I found to spot before making my way to Santos Dumont was from Level 6 in the Terminal. There is a cafe area which has views overlooking the main aprons. Here is the view.
Rio De Janeiro Santos Dumont
Other than Rio's main International airport. Santos Dumont Domestic is an excellent airport to visit for executive flights. The usual Domestic carriers such as TAM and GOL also operate from this small airport. The airport faces the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Hotel
Guanabara Palace. http://www.windsorhoteis.com.br/en-us/loca.asp?hid=20 - Prices range between £45-£75 per room per night.
The hotel offers an excellent roof top swimming pool area which looks out across the Guanabara Bay, From the roof top pool area you can see the end of the runway at Santos Dumont. Some good photos can be taken looking down on aircraft on finals over the bay. Note:- Only the end of the runway can be seen from this hotel meaning you can only read aircraft off when they are landing over the bay, or when they are lining up at the end of the runway for departure.
Spotting from the Terminal
The airport terminal is small. On the upper level above the departures is a cafe which has views looking across the apron. Here is the view taken from the cafe.
Sao Paulo Congonhas.
Sao Paulo's domestic airport Congonhas is 30-40 minutes away by road from the main International airport Guarulhos. Congonhas is TAM Brasil's main base. The airport also has alot of executive flights.
Hotel
Goldenflat Hotel - http://eng.ondehospedar.com.br/info/contato.php?uf=sp&fil=5067
Ask for a high floor room facing the airport. When I visited I stayed in room 916. From the room all movements could be read off day and night. Here is the view from room 916.
Places to eat around the hotel
I would not suggest walking around this area, at night or day looking for food outlets. The area isn't the safest. I would suggest either using the hotels own restaurant. Or take a walk across the road in to the terminal building and eat in the cafe area.
Spotting from the Terminal
The terminal is only a two minute walk from the hotel. Once inside, take the lift to the upper level and you will see a food court area. From inside you get partial views of the Domestic gates and runway.
Sao Paulo Guarulhos
From Congonhas, you can reach Sao Paulo's main airport Guarulhos in just under an hour. There are coaches which run between both airports every 30 minutes. The coach leaves from the arrivals area.
Spotting from the Terminal
From the main terminal is section D on the entrance level is a food court area. From inside Mc Donald's you can see across the main ramp areas. Here is the view.
