Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport Lounges
Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG) is the city's international gateway, and all six of the lounges we track sit in Terminal 2. The field mixes the Plaza Premium and GOL Smiles independents with the American Airlines Admirals Club and a Star Alliance Lounge, so DragonPass, Priority Pass, SkyTeam, oneworld and walk-in routes are all in play.
Content updated June 23, 2026
In a hurry? Skip the research.
Three bookable lounges at GIG, picked fresh each day — or browse the full directory below.
Sourced, never sponsored.
This guide is compiled from airline, alliance and lounge-operator sources plus published access rules from Priority Pass and DragonPass — we haven't independently visited every Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport lounge yet. Nothing here is a paid placement, and the guide is updated as lounges open, close, renovate or change access policies. Read more about how we verify lounge data.
Last updated June 23, 2026
Where we'd actually go.
Plaza Premium Lounge
The Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 2 is the most reliable all-rounder at GIG — it sits airside in the south pier on the 3rd floor, opens on SkyTeam access, and follows the familiar Plaza Premium template of a hot and cold buffet, a bar and comfortable seating before a flight.
American Airlines Admirals Club
The American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal 2 is the most consistent branded-airline experience at Galeão, serving eligible American Airlines and oneworld premium-cabin passengers and status holders airside on the south pier 3rd floor.
GOL Smiles (Domestic)
The GOL Smiles domestic lounge on the 2nd floor opposite gates B36 and B37 is the Priority Pass option at GIG — well placed for the domestic gates and a dependable way in if you carry Priority Pass.
Plaza Premium Lounge Gig Terminal 2
The Plaza Premium arrivals lounge — known locally as Plaza Premium Lounge Pública — sits outside security in Terminal 2 as a touchdown space after a long-haul landing, and also takes departing passengers before they clear the checkpoint.
Every lounge. 5 bookable right now.
The GOL Smiles domestic lounge at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG) sits airside in Terminal 2 on the 2nd floor, opposite gates B36 and B37. It's the Priority Pass option at Galeão — GOL's…
Lounge GOL Smiles at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG) sits airside in Terminal 2 on the south pier 3rd floor, reached after security through the duty free shop and up the stairs or elevator.…
Plaza Premium Lounge at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG), airside in Terminal 2 on the south pier 3rd floor after the security check. It follows the familiar Plaza Premium template — a hot and…
The Plaza Premium arrivals lounge at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG), known locally as Plaza Premium Lounge Pública, sits landside in Terminal 2 outside the security check. It is built…
The Star Alliance Lounge at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG) is the airport's Star Alliance home in Terminal 2, serving the alliance's member carriers and their eligible premium-cabin and status…
The American Airlines Admirals Club at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG) sits in Terminal 2 on the south pier 3rd floor, after the security check. It's the most consistent branded-airline lounge…
Participating dining venues (3)
Not lounges — but eligible Priority Pass members can trade a lounge visit for a food and drink credit at these participating venues.
A Saideira
Grand Cru
Palaphita
Dining benefits are set by Priority Pass and each venue and can change without notice. LoungeDeal passes are not valid at these venues.
Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport lounges by terminal.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is Galeão's main passenger building and holds every lounge we track at GIG. Most sit airside after the security check — the Plaza Premium, GOL Smiles and American Airlines Admirals Club lounges cluster on the south pier and upper floors — while the Plaza Premium arrivals lounge sits landside, outside security, for passengers who have just landed. Access spans SkyTeam, oneworld, DragonPass, Priority Pass and walk-in routes.
- —Holds all six GIG lounges, most airside after the security check
- —Plaza Premium and Admirals Club cluster on the south pier, 3rd floor
- —GOL Smiles lounges cover DragonPass and Priority Pass access
- —A separate Plaza Premium arrivals lounge sits landside, outside security
How to get into lounges at GIG.
Galeão's lounges are reachable through a mix of routes. Independent memberships DragonPass and Priority Pass open the two GOL Smiles lounges, SkyTeam status reaches the Plaza Premium Lounge, and oneworld access covers the American Airlines Admirals Club. A couple of lounges also take walk-in paid entry. Because almost everything is airside in Terminal 2, clear security first — the exception is the Plaza Premium arrivals lounge, which is landside.
DragonPass
DragonPass opens the Lounge GOL Smiles in Terminal 2, airside on the south pier 3rd floor. Check the per-lounge page before you travel to confirm current terms and capacity.
DragonPassPriority Pass
Priority Pass is accepted at the GOL Smiles domestic lounge on the 2nd floor opposite gates B36 and B37. Confirm your specific lounge on its page, as Priority Pass covers a narrower set at GIG than the overall field.
Priority PassAirline & alliance lounges
SkyTeam status reaches the Plaza Premium Lounge, oneworld and American Airlines access the Admirals Club, and the Star Alliance Lounge serves Star Alliance partners. Access follows your ticket and frequent-flyer tier.
SkyTeam
oneworld
Star AllianceWalk-in day pass
Some Galeão lounges sell entry at the door, including the Star Alliance Lounge and the Plaza Premium arrivals lounge, so you can pay per visit without a membership. Booking ahead online, where offered, is usually cheaper than paying on arrival.
Business & First class ticket
A premium-cabin ticket on American Airlines or another oneworld carrier gets you into the Admirals Club directly — the simplest route if you're flying business or first out of GIG, with no membership needed.
American AirlinesoneworldKnow before you go.
Everything is in Terminal 2
- —All six GIG lounges sit in Terminal 2, so you won't be changing buildings to reach one.
- —Most are airside after the security check — clear the checkpoint first.
- —The Plaza Premium arrivals lounge is the exception: it's landside, outside security.
Match the membership to the lounge
- —DragonPass opens the Lounge GOL Smiles; Priority Pass covers the GOL Smiles domestic lounge — they're different lounges, so check which one your card matches.
- —SkyTeam status reaches the Plaza Premium Lounge, and oneworld reaches the Admirals Club.
- —If you only hold a paid pass, the Star Alliance Lounge and Plaza Premium arrivals lounge accept walk-in entry.
Find the south pier
- —The Plaza Premium Lounge and American Airlines Admirals Club both sit on the south pier 3rd floor — follow signs there after security.
- —The GOL Smiles domestic lounge is on the 2nd floor opposite gates B36 and B37, handy for the domestic gates.
- —Allow a few extra minutes to find the upper-floor lounges, especially on a tight connection.
Arrivals vs departures
- —The Plaza Premium arrivals lounge is built as a touchdown space after an international landing — a place to freshen up before leaving the airport.
- —Departing passengers can also use it before security, but two more Plaza Premium lounges sit airside and are more convenient once you're through.
- —Don't confuse the landside arrivals lounge with the airside departure lounges when you plan your time.
Frequently asked, frequently answered.
We track six lounges at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG), and all of them are in Terminal 2. They include two Plaza Premium lounges, two GOL Smiles lounges, the American Airlines Admirals Club and a Star Alliance Lounge.
Yes. Priority Pass is accepted at the GOL Smiles domestic lounge in Terminal 2, on the 2nd floor opposite gates B36 and B37. If you carry DragonPass, that opens the separate Lounge GOL Smiles airside on the south pier.
Yes. Some GIG lounges sell walk-in paid entry, including the Star Alliance Lounge and the Plaza Premium arrivals lounge, and the GOL Smiles lounges accept DragonPass and Priority Pass — so you don't need an airline ticket in a premium cabin to get in.
Yes. The American Airlines Admirals Club is in Terminal 2 on the south pier 3rd floor, after security. It serves eligible American Airlines and oneworld premium-cabin passengers and status holders flying out of Rio.
Every GIG lounge is in Terminal 2. The Plaza Premium Lounge and Admirals Club sit airside on the south pier 3rd floor, the GOL Smiles domestic lounge is on the 2nd floor near gates B36 and B37, and the Plaza Premium arrivals lounge is landside, outside security.
Yes. The Plaza Premium arrivals lounge, known locally as Plaza Premium Lounge Pública, sits outside security in Terminal 2 as a touchdown space after an international landing. Departing passengers can use it too, though the airside lounges are more convenient once you're through.
For most of them, yes — the Plaza Premium, GOL Smiles and American Airlines Admirals Club lounges are airside, after the security check. The Plaza Premium arrivals lounge is the exception, sitting landside outside security.
Yes — two. One Plaza Premium Lounge sits airside in Terminal 2 on the south pier 3rd floor on SkyTeam access, and a second Plaza Premium arrivals lounge sits landside, outside security, primarily for passengers arriving on international flights.