The Route of Emotions is a stretch of approximately 700 kilometers along the coast of northeastern Brazil that connects tourist destinations in three states: Ceará, Maranhão and Piauí. There are 14 cities, bringing together places such as Jericoacoara, Delta do Parnaíba, Barreirinhas, among others.
Some of these destinations have direct flights from some capitals, such as Jericoacoara, which has a connection with São Paulo via Congonhas and Guarulhos, Fortaleza (CE) and Confins (Belo Horizonte – MG).
Those wishing to travel between destinations on the route can do so either by land or by flights provided by Azul Conecta, the Azul subsidiary that operates regional flights. In this case they are panoramic, and allow you to see the postcards of the region up close.
Our made the entire air travel of the route in November and now brings you the experience of flying between tourist points, connecting Fortaleza to São Luís (MA).
More footroom and visibility for the rider
The aircraft flying the route is a nine-seater Cessna Grand Caravan. While it’s not possible to stand fully inside the aircraft, as its ceiling is lower, there is no shortage of legroom. A person with a height of 1.86 cm and a weight of more than 100 kg can sit comfortably in one of the seats without being crushed.
Don’t get in the way of the commander! But you can share the same vision as the pilots
Image: Alexandre Saconi
Since the internal space is open, it is possible to have the same view that pilots have of the runway when approaching for landing. Additionally, the windows are large and the wing of the aircraft is located at the top of the fuselage, allowing for a wide view of the exterior.
The flight is much lower than other aircraft, so the cabin is not pressurized. While a commercial jet is around 12km above sea level, the Caravan on this route is around 1,800m above sea level flying at around 260km/h, which allows for better views of the landscape.
We set off: Fortaleza and Canoa Quebrada
Impossible to ignore the view along the road
Image: Alexandre Saconi
The first flight of the Route of Emotions made by Azul takes off from the Fortaleza airport at 6:30 for the city of Aracati, where Canoa Quebrada is located. Standing on the left side of the aircraft, you can watch the sun still rising between the ocean scenery and the first beaches.
After a few minutes of flight it is already possible to see several wind turbines, which are very common throughout the trip. In less than 45 minutes we were already in Aracati, where a quick stop was made for the passengers to enter.
The return flight also took a few minutes. However, returning to Fortaleza, the x-ray had to be re-x-rayed due to airport security requirements to continue the journey.
First stop: Jericoacoara
our first stop
Image: Alexandre Saconi
The next stop is at the Jericoacoara airport, which is about 10 km from the coast and about 22 km from the town of Jeri. It is located in the city of Cruz, but is named after the tourist attraction of the neighboring city.
Although being a little further from the coast at that time, it is possible to observe the houses of the residents of the region and, after a few moments of flight, the village of Jericoacoara itself.
Transfer and car rental services are available at the airport for those who go to the beach, or wait, for example, for another flight to some capital.
Parnaiba: dunes and ponds
We saw wind turbines in action ‘up close’
Image: Alexandre Saconi
Another place of incredible beauty seen from above, Parnaíba attracts attention for its long stretch of beach accompanied by wind generators lined up with the coast.
Taking off from the region, halfway towards Barreirinhas, some dunes and pools of sea water can be deceiving, but we are not yet at Lençóis Maranhenses.
Barreirinhas: the famous sheets
The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a major attraction of the region.
Image: Alexandre Saconi
The stretch between Barreirinhas and São Luís is one of the most beautiful of the trip. Immediately after boarding the plane, it is already possible to see the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, with the view extending to the edge of the sea.
This is the last major landscape seen on flights. From there the scenario returns to being urban, with the arrival in the capital of Maranhão, which took place around 3 pm.
We have seen beaches, cities and dunes throughout the Route of Emotions
Image: Alexandre Saconi
Consult the summary of the flights made and the estimated duration of each one:
- Fortaleza – Aracati: 45 mins
- Aracati – Fortress: 45 min
- Fortaleza – Jericoacoara: 1h10min
- Jericoacoara – Parnaiba: 45 min
- Parnaiba – Barreirinhas: 45 min
- Barreirinhas – Sao Luis: 50 min
Each trait can be done individually or purchased in sequence. It is also possible to do the route in the opposite direction, flying from São Luís to Fortaleza.
memorial painting
This week, Azul received the first aircraft with a commemorative painting of the route. It was built in the Tam Aviação Executivo hangar in Jundiaí and features details that reference the sun and summer.
And is it worth it?
The windows are large, and the wing of the aircraft is located at the top of the fuselage, allowing for a wide view out.
Image: Alexandre Saconi
More than going to just one of the destinations on the Route of Emotions, traveling the entire route is like a panoramic flight in landscapes considered “instagrammable”.
Anyone wishing to fly to just one of the destinations using Azul’s operations is not obliged to purchase a ticket for the entire route. Anyone who wants to try the route to enjoy the view can do so too, but bear in mind that there is little stopping time at airports and there are no bathrooms on planes.
Many take advantage of the route to enjoy the low flights and record it in photos and videos.
Image: Alexandre Saconi
That’s why it is recommended to go to the bathroom whenever the operation allows and to have an extra snack if you stay longer on the plane.
Inflight service is simpler, with airline snacks (such as airplanes and jelly snacks) as well as water and soda, which passengers can consume themselves during the flight.
Baggage is carried in the rear of the aircraft or in the bottom compartment, but allowance rules must be observed, which are different for jets.
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