MATERIAL DE APOIO · MD

Documents by leg and assistance request

Reference worksheet with a worked example and explanations to adapt to your journey.

Documents by flight leg

Deslize a tabela para comparar as colunas →

Check	Departure	Connection	Destination/return
Accepted document and validity	fill in	fill in	fill in
Entry or transit required	fill in	fill in	fill in
Applicable visa/authorization	fill in	fill in	fill in
Child and accompanying adult	fill in	fill in	fill in
Official source and date	fill in	fill in	fill in

Reasoning case: a transfer requires collecting bags in the public area. Include that country in document research even without sightseeing. “Transit only” does not replace checking the physical route.

Adaptable assistance request: “I can walk ____; need help with ____; cannot use ____; carry equipment ____; my connection is ____; where should I present myself and how will the transfer work?”. Confirmation/reference ____; meeting point ____.

Keep personal details in your private copy. Do not publish document numbers, booking references or QR codes. Nationality- and age-specific sources appear in the explanations below.

An accepted ID is more than a document with your name

Identification connects the person present to the ticket. Ask three separate questions: is this document accepted on this route, can it identify you, and do its details match the reservation? A student card, a photograph of an ID and an official digital ID are not interchangeable.

Brazilian example: for Brazilian nationals aged 16 or over on domestic flights, ANAC lists civil photo identification such as an identity card or driving licence, alongside specific alternatives. Electronic documents must be shown in their official app; screenshots are not accepted. Electronic birth certificates have separate treatment. This does not make a driving licence valid for every international journey.

Check access to the official document before leaving and keep your device charged. A reference copy can help recover details but does not become an accepted document. For loss, name mismatch or damage, contact the airline beforehand and check the relevant authority’s guidance. Do not leave that discovery until the gate.

Entry, transit and passport validity

A ticket purchases transport; it does not grant permission to enter a country. A connecting country may have requirements even if you only intend to change planes. Research departure, transit and destination using nationality, residence, travel document, dates, purpose and length of stay.

Create one line per country: accepted document and required validity, visa or authorization where needed, transit conditions and additional evidence. TravelDoc and IATA tools help locate requirements; confirm decisive questions with immigration authorities or the consulate. A search result is neither a visa nor guaranteed admission.

Case: the cheaper itinerary requires collecting a bag and checking in again outside the transfer area. “I am not sightseeing there” does not remove a possible entry requirement. Check before buying. Do not apply the popular six-month passport rule to every destination: the exact condition depends on the route and document. Recheck requirements near departure.

Children: identification, permission and airline assistance

Separate the child’s identification, evidence of family relationship or guardianship, required travel permission and the airline’s escort service. They serve different purposes. Legal permission does not guarantee that an airline accepts that age travelling alone; a purchased service does not replace required permission.

Brazilian example: ANAC guidance for Brazilian children aged 12–15 on domestic flights requires photo identification. Travel with an adult aunt also requires evidence of the relationship. For a Brazilian under 18 travelling abroad with only one parent, permission from the other parent is a separate requirement to resolve, subject to applicable exceptions. Do not automatically extend these conditions to other nationalities or destinations.

Before buying, tell the airline the age on each leg, accompanying adults and any connection. Verify documents with the relevant authority, including custody or unusual circumstances; retain what is needed for both directions. Plan seating, food, pushchairs and airport assistance around the actual journey.

Request assistance by describing what you need

“I need assistance” is a starting point. Describe the situation so arrangements can match it: I can walk short distances, cannot use stairs, need guidance to the gate, or travel with a mobility device. Notify the airline early, request confirmation and find out where to present yourself at the airport.

In Brazil, ANAC guidance specifies at least 72 hours for an accompanying person or special medical care and 48 hours for other assistance. Short notice is not automatic refusal if travel with available assistance is possible and accepted by the passenger. Procedures outside Brazil follow local rules. Medical equipment and health conditions may require specific assessment; this checklist does not establish fitness to fly.

Example: you can walk inside the terminal but cannot climb stairs. Ask about remote boarding, transfer to the seat and help during the connection. Confirm how your wheelchair or mobility aid will travel and be returned. Keep the reference and reconfirm after a flight change; your need remains even if the booking changes.

References

Sources checked 2026-09-27.

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