Traveling to Florianópolis

Traveling to Florianópolis takes some planning, but it is very doable. Most flights from Los Angeles take around 15–24 hours, depending on the airline, layovers, and route.

This guide is here to help you choose the route that fits you best — whether you care most about comfort, points, price, or the easiest travel day.

Quick Recommendation

The Main Flight Routes

Most routes from LAX to Florianópolis follow one of these patterns:

Brazil Connection Route

LAX → São Paulo or Rio → Florianópolis

This is common with LATAM, United, Delta, and American.

You will usually go through immigration, collect your bags, recheck them, and go through security again before your final domestic flight.

Panama Connection Route

LAX → Panama City → Florianópolis

This is the main Copa route.

This is usually the simplest connection because you do not go through customs or recheck bags until you arrive in Brazil.

Airline Options

LATAM Airlines

Best for: Comfort and arriving well-rested
Typical time: ~15–18 hours
Typical layovers: 1–2
Cost: Higher
Points: Delta / partner points
Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Common Routes

• LAX → São Paulo → Florianópolis
• LAX → Lima → São Paulo → Florianópolis
• LAX → Santiago → São Paulo → Florianópolis

Why We Like It

LATAM is our favorite airline for this trip. The economy seats feel more comfortable, the entertainment is good, and the route usually gives you one long overnight flight where you can actually sleep.

The best version of this route is:

LAX → São Paulo → Florianópolis

That gives you one long flight followed by a short final flight into Floripa.

Things to Know

If your connection is in São Paulo, you will need to go through immigration, pick up your checked bags, and recheck them for the domestic flight to Florianópolis.

LATAM may also charge extra for checked bags or seat selection, so check the fare details before booking.

Our Take

Choose LATAM if you want the most comfortable travel experience and do not mind paying a little more.

United Airlines

Best for: United points and reliable routing
Typical time: ~18–24 hours
Typical layovers: 2
Cost: Medium
Points: United miles
Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Common Routes

• LAX → Houston → São Paulo → Florianópolis
• LAX → Houston → Rio de Janeiro → Florianópolis
• LAX → Newark → São Paulo → Florianópolis
• LAX → Chicago → São Paulo → Florianópolis

Why We Like It

United is a solid option if you have United miles or prefer booking with a U.S. airline. The entertainment is good, the experience is reliable, and checked bags are often included depending on the fare.

Things to Know

United usually adds a U.S. layover before the long flight to Brazil. This makes the trip longer and can make sleeping harder because the longest flight is shorter than the LATAM nonstop to São Paulo.

You will usually still need to deal with immigration, customs, and bag recheck in Brazil.

Our Take

Choose United if you are using points or want a familiar U.S. airline. It is not our favorite for comfort, but it is practical and reliable.

Copa Airlines

Best for: Price and easiest connection
Typical time: ~15–20 hours
Typical layovers: 1–2
Cost: Usually lowest
Points: United-compatible
Comfort: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Common Routes

• LAX → Panama City → Florianópolis
• LAX → Panama City → São Paulo → Florianópolis
• LAX → Panama City → Porto Alegre → Florianópolis

Why We Like It

Copa is often the cheapest option and can be the easiest travel day. Since the main connection is in Panama, you usually do not need to go through customs or recheck bags until you arrive in Brazil.

This is a huge convenience.

Things to Know

Copa is not as comfortable as LATAM or United. Seats can feel tighter, and some flights may not have seatback screens. The route can also feel like two medium-long flights instead of one long overnight flight.

Return flights from Florianópolis can also leave very late at night.

Our Take

Choose Copa if you want the cheapest route or the simplest connection. It is not the most comfortable, but it is very convenient.

Important Travel Tips

If You Connect in São Paulo

Plan for at least a 2–3 hour layover.

You will likely need to:

• Go through immigration
• Pick up checked bags
• Recheck bags
• Go back through security
• Continue to your domestic flight to Florianópolis

São Paulo is a large airport, so give yourself extra time.

If You Connect in Panama City

This is usually much easier.

You typically:

• Stay inside the airport connection area
• Do not go through Brazil immigration yet
• Do not pick up checked bags
• Continue directly to your next flight

Our Final Recommendation

If you are unsure what to book:

• LATAM is best for comfort and sleep.
• United is best if you have United points.
• Copa is best for price and the easiest connection.

Our personal favorites are LATAM for comfort and Copa for simplicity.