Travelers in the United States are getting new nonstop access to one of South America’s most vibrant cities beginning this summer.
In July, Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas will launch a historic new route between Rio de Janeiro and New York City.
Beginning July 8, GOL will operate three nonstop flights per week between New York JFK and Brazil’s Rio/Galeão Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG).
The new flight will mark GOL’s first route to the U.S., as well as the carrier’s first-ever long-haul flight. The route is part of a larger international expansion plan for the Brazilian airline, which includes flying larger planes across longer intercontinental routes.
As part of that expansion plan, GOL recently announced it would add five Airbus A330-900 jets to its fleet. The widebody jets seat nearly 300 passengers and can fly routes up to 15 hours long, which will allow the carrier to expand its route network into the U.S. and Europe. Previously, GOL operated an all-Boeing 737 fleet, a plane that can fly only shorter distances.
The carrier will use its first A330-900 aircraft on its new nonstop route to New York, with the remaining four widebody planes joining GOL’s fleet throughout 2026 and 2027.
GOL is planning to use some of the newer, larger jets to launch its first transatlantic routes to Paris and Lisbon from Rio later in 2026. The carrier is also reportedly looking at adding more transatlantic destinations—like London and Porto, Portugal—to its route map in the near future.
Fares for the New York to Rio route are now on sale on GOL’s website and mobile app.
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