Brazilian low-cost carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes completed its first long-haul flight on July 9, 2026.
Flight G37000 departed Rio de Janeiro-Galeao (GIG) on July 8, 2026, at 22.15, bound for New York JFK, where it landed the following day at 06.53 (all times local).
Although it carried a GOL code, this inaugural flight was actually operated by Spanish carrier Wamos, which deployed an Airbus A330-200 (registration EC-NBN) fitted with 280 seats for this rotation.
Wamos Air – like GOL, part of the Abra Group – provides capacity with its fleet under an ACMI arrangement. This is as a stopgap solution until the Brazilian carrier receives the five new A330-900neos it has on order.
The A330neos are part of a larger order for seven aircraft placed by Abra Group, with delivery expected within the next couple of years. The remaining two aircraft will be allocated to Avianca, another carrier within the group.
Even though this new route is not yet operated by GOL’s own aircraft, it represents a significant milestone for the Brazilian carrier, which so far had only been operating flights within Brazil and South American with an all-B737 fleet.
GOL plans to operate the rotation between Rio de Janeiro and New York on a thrice-weekly basis. Lisbon (LIS), Portugal, will be the next long-haul destination to be operated by GOL in collaboration with Wamos, starting from September 16, 2026.