en.Wedoany.com Reported - GOL Linhas Aéreas (GOL Airlines) received its first long-haul aircraft bearing the company's livery—an Airbus A330-200—on July 6, which will be used to operate direct flights between Rio de Janeiro International Airport (RIOgaleão/GIG) and New York (JFK), with international operations scheduled to begin on July 8.

The aircraft, registered as EC-NBN, arrived in Brazil from Madrid, marking the start of GOL Airlines' intercontinental operations from Rio de Janeiro. This model can accommodate up to 300 passengers and has a range of up to 15 hours.

This aircraft is being used temporarily under an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) agreement between GOL and Spain's Wamos Air (part of the Abra Group). Under this model, Wamos provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, while GOL crew members will also board to offer customer support. The company stated that using the A330 aligns with its international expansion strategy, allowing for increased capacity in the short term until its own aircraft of the same model are added to the fleet.

On long-haul flights, GOL will introduce the INSIGNIA business class, featuring seats that recline into beds, amenity kits, and an in-flight meal service customized by two-Michelin-star chef Felipe Bronze. The economy class also offers upgraded in-flight entertainment systems and meal options. GOL Airlines stated that the Rio-New York route marks the beginning of its international network expansion, with plans to launch more long-haul routes from major Brazilian cities to North America and Europe in the future.