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Proposals for Free and Discounted Air Travel for Seniors Advanced in Committees in 2025, But They Still Lack a Final Vote and Do Not Yet Guarantee Rights for Passengers.
The discussion about the creation of free seats on commercial flights for seniors regained momentum in 2025 in the National Congress.
Despite the expectation generated by statements from lawmakers and the circulation of excerpts from proposals under discussion, no definitive rules have been approved so far.
The topic, however, has progressed on different fronts throughout this year, mainly with movements on projects already underway and with new initiatives related to air transportation.
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Right at the beginning of 2025, the Committee on Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship recorded important changes in the report on the set of projects addressing the expansion of benefits for seniors in interstate transportation, including air transport.
In May, Deputy Leur Lomanto Júnior took over the reporting of PL 3833/2004, the main text to which PL 3912/2019 is attached.
This reassumption of the report reignited expectations that the topic could advance this year, although no opinion was presented by November.
What Does PL Propose Regarding Free Air Tickets and Discounts for Seniors?
The most frequently cited point in the public debate is the content of PL 3912/2019, which is attached to the set of projects that amend the Statute of the Elderly.
Although it was introduced a few years ago, it continues to serve as a basis for current discussions by proposing the inclusion of air transport in the existing rules for free travel on buses, trains, and boats.
The proposal adds two paragraphs to Article 40 of the Statute.
The first determines the reservation of three free seats per flight for seniors over 60 years old who have a monthly income of up to two minimum wages.
The second establishes that, once these seats are filled, all other seniors would be entitled to a minimum discount of 50% on the airfare.
The text also provides for a 50% discount for low-income individuals who need to travel to another state for health treatment, extending to an accompanying person when justified.
Although PL 3912/2019 remains without a vote, it continues to serve as a reference for lawmakers advocating for federalization of a right similar to what already exists in interstate land transport.
Progress and Movements Recorded in 2025
The progress of this set of proposals is concentrated in the Committee on Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship.
There, PL 3912/2019 is not analyzed in isolation: it is attached to PL 163/2007, which is linked to PL 3833/2004, organizing all the changes related to the Statute of the Elderly.
In March 2024, Deputy Eduardo Bismarck was appointed as the reporter for this legislative tree.
In May 2025, the reporting passed to Deputy Leur Lomanto Júnior.
The substitution renewed expectations that the subject would advance, but as of November, the project remains formally awaiting opinion, with no report presented and no voting schedule.
The accumulation of proposals on the topic in the CCJC also contributes to the slowdown.
As the analysis is joint, any opinion needs to evaluate not only PL 3912/2019 but all proposals addressing free travel and discounts for seniors in interstate transport, which increases the complexity of the report.
New Proposal in 2025 for Retirees in Medical Treatment
Alongside the discussion on free general seats for seniors, a second topic gained traction in 2025: the possibility of securing free air tickets for INSS retirees who need to travel for health treatment.
This is the central proposal of PL 1439/2025, introduced by Deputy Neto Carletto.
The text provides that retirees who present a report issued by SUS proving the necessity of the trip are entitled to tickets funded by the federal government, with a limit of two round-trip tickets per year, with the possibility of expansion in exceptional cases and a ceiling on the fare per segment.
In addition, the project requires airlines to reserve seats in an integrated system managed by INSS in partnership with the Ministry of Health.
There is also a provision for an accompanying person for beneficiaries with limitations requiring assistance during the trip or for those over 70 years old.
In August, the Commission on Transportation and Infrastructure recorded the start of the analysis of the project by appointing a reporter and opening a deadline for amendments.
Since then, the progress has been stalled, awaiting the presentation of the opinion.
What Applies Today for Seniors and Retirees Traveling
While these proposals are slowly progressing in Congress, the rules currently in effect remain the same.
In interstate transportation, the Statute of the Elderly guarantees, for those with an income of up to two minimum wages, two free seats per vehicle and a minimum discount of 50% after these seats are filled.
This rule applies only to buses, trains, and vessels.
In air transportation, there is no law requiring airlines to offer free travel or specific discounts for seniors.
Reduced fares, special conditions, or rebooking facilities depend on each company’s commercial policies or temporary public programs.
Among these programs is Voa Brasil, which offers tickets on domestic flights at a capped fare of 200 reais per segment, using empty seats, and benefits INSS retirees who did not travel by plane the previous year.
Although it is a significant measure to expand access to air transportation, it is an administrative initiative and does not create a permanent right.
In addition to Voa Brasil, there are regulations from the National Civil Aviation Agency aimed at passengers needing special assistance, which can include seniors under certain circumstances, especially when there is a requirement for an accompanying person.
These rules, however, address specific situations and do not establish broad free travel.
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