It’s an interesting time for aviation in South America, on a variety of levels. Here’s the latest example of that, as Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes intends to start flying wide body planes.
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GOL will fly at least five Airbus A330-900neos
GOL has announced plans to lease at least five Airbus A330-900neos from aircraft leasing company Avolon, marking a major step in the the carrier’s long haul expansion strategy. The planes are all expected to be delivered in 2026, and the company has the option to lease two additional aircraft.
GOL’s controlling shareholder is Abra Group, and it’s part of the company’s strategy to expand its aviation portfolio across Latin America. The company also owns Avianca, and has a stake in Wamos Air, among other carriers.
Now, it’s noted that Abra Group is maintaining the flexibility to place these aircraft with other airlines, based on market opportunities and financial considerations. So in theory the planes could also end up at Avianca, though the intent is for these planes to fly for GOL.
For those not familiar, the A330neo is the updated version of the A330, featuring improved range and fuel efficiency. The A330-900neo is the larger of the two new variants (with the other being the A330-800neo). The plane has a range of 7,200 nautical miles, plus a capacity for 287 passengers in a standard three cabin configuration.
What will GOL do with its Airbus A330-900neos?
For context, GOL currently has a fleet of over 140 Boeing 737s (both NGs and MAXs), with another 75 Boeing 737 MAXs on order. The airline flies those primarily within South America and to the Caribbean, though the carrier’s service does stretch as far as Florida (representing some of the world’s longest 737 MAX routes).
With the A330-900neos, GOL intends to expand its long haul service, so presumably these planes would be used for expansion to North America, and possibly even to Europe. One would assume that the airline will operate flights out of Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), and perhaps we’d see nonstop flights to markets like Miami, Lisbon, etc.
I’m very curious to see what kind of a passenger experience the airline offers, since historically GOL hasn’t had a business class (though the airline does have a premium economy product). I would assume the airline will introduce business class on wide body planes, but I guess we’ll see.
What’s interesting is that earlier this year, there were talks of GOL possibly merging with Azul. This would’ve allowed the airlines to combine to become the biggest carrier in the country. However, in recent weeks, those talks have been called off, so it appears that’s no longer happening.
It’s still noteworthy that GOL is now getting A330-900neos, since those are exactly the same planes that Azul uses for its long haul service. I suppose if merger talks do resume at some point, at least the airlines would have compatible wide body fleets!
Bottom line
Brazilian airline GOL intends to acquire at least five Airbus A330-900neos, and the aircraft will be delivered in 2026. That’s major news for the airline, given that it has historically otherwise only operated Boeing 737s.
I would imagine that these planes will be flying from Sao Paulo to North America and Europe, so I’m curious to learn all the details soon, including about the passenger experience.
What do you make of GOL acquiring Airbus A330neos?
Those planes will most certainly fly with Avianca. On the statement it says that the a339 were acquired under Gol’s name but they will fly on any airlines of ABRA holding - controller of the two companies. By the time of delivery they will choose the most fitting airline.
Oh boy. Another good way for a good South American airline to go bankrupt. It's a big bankruptcy party for the airlines in South America.
Well, if they'd say nice things about our Dear Leader, they could probably get $20 billion, no $40 billion! in bailouts... while our people lose healthcare, and our farmers go bankrupt...
One finds that we might share common ground on the subject of our respective “Dear Leaders”, 1990.
Yours appears to be a ‘tango-tart’ who is trying to bankrupt the U.S. While ours is a failed ‘uman rights lawyer and anti-Semite who just so happens to be married to an unfortunate Jewish lady.
Whatever is the western world coming to?
Farmers by and large voted for dear leader. Why are they going bankrupt?
Arajet has a flight from Punta Cana to Santiago de Chile, that has to be one of the longest MAX flights.
Take that Azul!
Speaking of A330neos, an A339 in Hainan Airlines livery was spotted a few weeks ago at Toulouse. There was little information available on this topic but apparently the airline will be introducing twenty of the type.
The new 900's range it increased to 7,350 nm.
goes to show that LCCs around the world are pivoting to longhaul international travel.
Gol has the potential to add a whole lot of routes w/ widebodies.
The real kicker will be when WN adds widebodies and even moreso if they add the 330NEO. Airbus is looking to mess up the orderbooks of these 737 only airlines.
GOL, it would appear to one of the first of many independent airlines who can see the writing on the wall when it comes to Boeing products.
I don't think it is anything against the 787 which would be the only other logical choice.
It is that the 787 backlog is long and Airbus built a decent enough airplane in the 330NEO for TATL and S. America to US flights and even to Africa; it is doubtful that many of these LCCs that expand into longhaul service will fly to Asia.
And the 330NEO is a lower cost aircraft for acquisition...
I don't think it is anything against the 787 which would be the only other logical choice.
It is that the 787 backlog is long and Airbus built a decent enough airplane in the 330NEO for TATL and S. America to US flights and even to Africa; it is doubtful that many of these LCCs that expand into longhaul service will fly to Asia.
And the 330NEO is a lower cost aircraft for acquisition because it is a derivative.
The 350 is a great plane but costs more, does more than most of these airlines need and still has a decently long backlog. Airbus can probably deliver new 330NEO orders in 3 years.
Oh geez, Tim, here we go again about Southwest... there's no way they're doing widebodies anytime soon, if ever.
Is Gol really an LCC? They operate lounges, they offer free drinks and snacks on all flights, and have Premium Economy, which is identical to European business class on international routes. All fares include full sized carry-ons, and they have comprehensive customer service, especially in the case of IRROPS. Domestically they don't offer much, but that's typical of the Brazilian market. Their wifi us fast, cheap, and fleet-wide. Azul positions itself as the most upmarket...
Is Gol really an LCC? They operate lounges, they offer free drinks and snacks on all flights, and have Premium Economy, which is identical to European business class on international routes. All fares include full sized carry-ons, and they have comprehensive customer service, especially in the case of IRROPS. Domestically they don't offer much, but that's typical of the Brazilian market. Their wifi us fast, cheap, and fleet-wide. Azul positions itself as the most upmarket carrier in Brazil, but even they don't have Gol's wifi coverage.
Jerry, I'd argue that those European carriers operating the 3-3 'blocked middle' as 'Business' class are committing a false-marketing scam by claiming that as such; it's Economy with a blocked middle and better food/beverage, usually. First/Business in recliner, like US domestic, is the only thing that should even be considered 'Premium' Economy. First/Business really should include lie-flat if it's on a wide-body or long-haul (6+ hours).
We’ll blow me down with a feather …. I find that I must agree with 1990 on one point …. European Business Class seats are generally miss classified. A bit like some U.S. carriers really who bull-up their domestic First Class seats beyond reality.