Terminal 1

Five minutes from the Aeroporto CPTM station, Terminal 1 is Azul’s home base at GRU.

Terminal 1 sits right beside the Aeroporto–Guarulhos Line 13‑Jade train station and handles mostly Azul domestic and regional flights across just 9 gates. It feels more like a satellite building than a full terminal, and frequent GRU flyers mostly treat it as a transit point to get to Terminals 2 and 3 for longer layovers, better food, and any lounge time.

Layout and getting around

The building has one main hall with check‑in counters for Azul and a compact security area feeding into the single concourse of 9 gates. Arrivals and departures are on different levels, and the free GRU Transfer shuttle stops on the arrivals curb, so look for the clearly signed bus stop if you’re heading to T2 or T3. Walking distances are short here; you can get from the entrance to the furthest gate in under 10 minutes at a normal pace.

Arriving by train or shuttle

The CPTM Line 13‑Jade Aeroporto station sits directly next to Terminal 1, connected by a short, signed walk of just a few minutes. Many rail users step straight off the train into T1, then grab the free GRU Transfer bus or people mover toward Terminals 2 and 3 if their flight isn’t on Azul. If you land in T1 and need another terminal, plan around 15–20 minutes for the shuttle plus walking and security on the other end.

Check‑in, security, and Azul operations

Azul is the only airline here, so check‑in is straightforward, with its counters grouped in one zone just inside the entrance. Morning banks for Azul domestic flights can spike security wait times to 20–30 minutes, but off‑peak you might be through in under 10. Azul often uses buses to remote stands in addition to the 9 gates, so build an extra 10 minutes at boarding time in case your flight leaves from a remote position.

Food and drink

A Ventana – Bar & Café anchors the food options in Terminal 1, sitting near the gate area and serving espresso, basic sandwiches, and beers, with prices typically around R$15–R$20 for coffee and R$25–R$40 for snacks. The Heineken bar offers bottled and draft beer and a few bar bites if you want something stronger before an Azul hop. Empório de Comidas near gate D5 has grab‑and‑go salads, packaged snacks, and soft drinks that work for quick connections or train rides.

Shops and basic services

Shopping here is minimal, with Farmais providing a small pharmacy selection of over‑the‑counter meds, hygiene products, and travel extras like toothpaste and painkillers. Protec Bag on the departures level offers baggage wrapping and sells plastic covers and locks if you want extra protection before checking a suitcase. Don’t expect electronics or large duty‑free here; for that, you’ll need to ride over to Terminal 2 or 3 after arriving by train or shuttle.

Lounges and where regulars go instead

No lounges are catalogued in Terminal 1, and Azul’s premium passengers typically head to Terminals 2 or 3 for lounge access tied to other airline or card programs. Regulars who know GRU’s layout will often arrive by CPTM train into T1, immediately catch the free GRU Transfer shuttle from the arrivals level, and then eat and wait in T2 or T3, only returning to T1 about 45–60 minutes before boarding if they are flying Azul.

Ground transport and app rides

On the arrivals level outside T1, the GRU Transfer shuttle stops at the signed bus bay and runs regularly to both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, with typical ride times of 5–10 minutes. App‑ride pickups at T1 happen at the second curb, not the first curb outside the door, which keeps you away from the more crowded immediate pickup area. If you’re meeting a car, tell the driver explicitly “second curb, Terminal 1” in your app chat to avoid back‑and‑forth calls.

One last tip

If you’re connecting from a CPTM Line 13‑Jade train to an Azul flight from Terminal 1, grab a quick coffee or sandwich at A Ventana, then clear security at least 45 minutes before departure to leave a buffer for possible bus boarding to a remote stand.