Air carrier Captain reported GPS jamming/spoofing during cruise. Crew complied with SOP's and continued to destination.

Date: 2026-01 · Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-less-severe

Synopsis

Air carrier Captain reported GPS jamming/spoofing during cruise. Crew complied with SOP's and continued to destination.

Narrative

I reviewed Ops bulletin during the preflight briefing with the crew. We weren't on any of the TCDP (Terrain Critical Depressurization Procedures) routes; but it led me to discuss GPS jamming and spoofing. I told them I've had GPS jamming many times when I flew a lot to TLV. I described what to expect; indications; and ultimately reminded them of the procedures in our FOM. When I called Dispatch for the briefing; I asked if any reports of GPS issues? I was told there was a few; and that it didn't last long. I informed the pilots of what I was told. I had the middle flight rest break; and reminded the crew before leaving about approaching South America and the potential of GPS issues. When I returned; the two first officers briefed me that jamming happened before the coast of South America; and it lasted about 45 minutes. They informed dispatch and ATC; and continued on the flight plan route. They complied with SOP's. The flight was in radar service and where terrain was never an issue. ANP never exceeded RNP; but they told me it was nearing the max limit. They temporarily lost radio updating and was on Inertial. Eventually the IRS (Inertial Reference System) got DME/DME updating; and soon after the right GPS. They felt the situation was stable and not to wake me. I support their decision and think they did a great job!They also noted that the left transponder failed and switched it to the right side. That's when I looked at my clock. UTC was blank. I verified on the CDU (Control Display Panel) that the left GPS was still out and sent in a maintenance report. The flight had no further anomalies and completed safely.While I was at the hotel; I saw the outbound Captain for the same flight. I told him what happened; and he said the exact thing happened to his flight. However; it was his left GPS that came back in service. I also later learned that another flight lost both GPS's for the remainder of the trip. I feel fortunate that I got one GPS back; because GRU uses RNAV Stars (GPS required) exclusively. I can see this being challenging in mountainous terrain; thunderstorms; language barrier; being up all night; and then be asked to fly direct to a fix that we can't do. Side note. The First Officers reported that the GPS on the iPad was working. The Flight Deck Pro map was accurate; and showed them drifting from the blue course line when they zoomed in.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.