Brazilian low-cost carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas began operating direct flights between Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport (GIG) and Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) on 16 September 2026. The service runs four times weekly — currently Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday — and represents GOL’s first transatlantic route.
The Route
The GIG–LIS route is operated by Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft in a single-cabin configuration. Flight time is approximately 9 hours 40 minutes eastbound and 10 hours 30 minutes westbound, in line with other direct Rio–Lisbon services. GOL positions the route as a direct competitor to LATAM and TAP, which both operate on the corridor.
Introductory fares at launch were listed from around R$1,500 (approximately €280) one-way in the basic economy fare class, which includes a personal item but charges for carry-on luggage and checked baggage separately. Business class seats are available on selected departures.
What This Means for Travellers
The addition of a fourth carrier on the Rio–Lisbon corridor increases direct seat capacity significantly. Brazil is Portugal’s largest source market for long-haul arrivals, and limited seat availability — particularly during the school holiday windows in January, July, and over Christmas — has historically pushed prices on this route well above €500 one-way.
For travellers planning to base themselves in Lisbon and explore from there, GOL’s new service is worth comparing against existing options. The airline’s low-cost structure means the headline fare can increase substantially with baggage and seat selection fees; factor those in before comparing to full-service alternatives.
Planning Your Visit
Lisbon handles an average of 180 direct arrivals from Brazil weekly across all carriers, and the city’s Humberto Delgado Airport sits directly on the Metro’s Red Line — a 20-minute ride to Marquês de Pombal in the centre. No additional shuttle is required.
If you are combining Lisbon with the rest of Portugal, our practical travel guide covers transport between cities, regional rail options, and intercity bus services. Lisbon to Porto takes around 3 hours by Alfa Pendular; Lisbon to Faro, serving the Algarve, is around 2 hours 45 minutes by AP train.
GOL’s schedule for October–December 2026 is live on the airline’s website and on global booking platforms. Fares on the GIG–LIS sector vary considerably by departure date; booking at least six weeks in advance currently yields the lowest published fares.