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VARIG has rebranded to GOL Airlines
VARIG (VRG) rebranded to GOL Airlines in 2014. Search and find flights with GOL Airlines.
About VARIG
VRG (Viação Aérea Rio-Grandense) Airlines (also known as Varig) operated flights to 15 cities within Brazil and four international destinations. The airline served Brasilia, Manaus, Fernando de Noronha, Fortaleza, Recife, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Vitoria, Curitiba, Florianopolis, Londrina, Porto Alegre and Salvador da Bahia. To find out more about Salvador da Bahia and plan your trip, see our Salvador da Bahia travel guide. Outside Brazil, it operated flights to Frankfurt, Toronto, Buenos Aires, Bogota and Caracas. In 2008, Varig was purchased by Gol Airlines. For updated information on the airline, please visit see Gol Airlines.
Baggage Allowance
Carry-on Baggage
Passengers in Economy Class were allowed to carry one piece of hand luggage on board, with specific weight and size restrictions. The weight limit was around 5 kg (11 lbs) and the dimensions were limited to certain measurements.
Passengers in Business or First Class had a more generous allowance for carry-on luggage, with the option to bring additional items or larger-sized bags.
Checked Baggage
Passengers travelling in Economy Class were allowed to check one or two pieces of luggage, depending on the route and fare type. The weight limit per piece was between 23 kg (50 lbs) and 32 kg (70 lbs).
Passengers in Business or First Class had a higher baggage allowance, with the option to check more pieces of luggage and higher weight limits per piece.
Check-In Information
Online Check-In
For VRG flights, passengers could check in online. Online check-in opened 48 hours before the scheduled departure time and closed a few hours before the flight.
Airport Check-In
VRG passengers could also check in at the airport counters if they preferred or if online check-in was not available for their specific flight or destination. The check-in opening and closing times varied depending on the route.
Cabin Classes
VRG offered 3 cabin classes onboard - these were Economy, Business and First.
Economy Class
VRG's Economy Class was the standard cabin class available to most passengers.
It offered comfortable seating with reasonable legroom and a range of amenities for a satisfactory travel experience. Economy Class passengers received complimentary meals or snacks, depending on the duration of the flight, along with a selection of beverages. In-flight entertainment systems were often available, offering a variety of movies, TV shows and music options. Passengers could also purchase additional snacks and beverages during the flight.
Business Class
VRG's Business Class offered a premium experience for passengers seeking comfort and added services.
Business Class passengers enjoyed priority check-in and boarding, spacious seating with ample legroom and a range of amenities for a more relaxed journey. The seats were designed to recline into comfortable sleeping positions. Passengers in Business Class received enhanced meal options, including gourmet dining and a selection of beverages. In-flight entertainment systems and other amenities were also provided to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable flight.
First Class
VRG's First Class was the most luxurious and exclusive cabin class.
Passengers travelling in First Class enjoyed spacious seating arrangements with extra legroom and enhanced privacy. The seats were designed for maximum comfort and could be converted into fully flat beds. Passengers in First Class received personalised service, gourmet meals, a wide selection of beverages and access to exclusive airport lounges. Additional amenities, such as amenity kits, premium entertainment systems and priority services, were also provided to enhance the travel experience.
Frequent Flyer Program
VRG had a frequent flyer program called VARIG Smiles.
VARIG Smiles
VARIG Smiles was designed to reward loyal passengers with various benefits and privileges based on their travel activity with VRG and its partner airlines. Members of the VARIG Smiles program could earn miles for their flights and redeem them for a range of rewards, including free flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals and other travel-related services.
The program offered different tiers of membership: Smiles Silver, Smiles Gold and Smiles Diamond. These tiers provided additional benefits and perks to members, such as priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, access to airport lounges and dedicated customer service.
After VRG's rebranding to GOL Airlines, the VARIG Smiles program was integrated into GOL's own frequent flyer program, which is now known as GOL Smiles. The program continued to provide similar benefits and rewards for loyal passengers of GOL Airlines and its partner airlines.
Destinations that VARIG flew to
Before rebranding to GOL Airlines, VRG had an extensive international route network, serving destinations across North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. It connected major cities such as New York, Paris, Frankfurt, Buenos Aires, Tokyo and many others. It also had a strong domestic network in Brazil.
Alternatives to VRG
Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes to VRG / VARIG:
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Hub Airport
São Paulo-Congonhas Airport
São Paulo/Congonhas Airport is one of the three commercial airports serving São Paulo, Brazil. The central hall of the passenger terminal is considered one of the most outstanding examples of modern architecture in São Paulo. Airlines that fly from and to São Paulo–Congonhas Airport include MAP Linhas Aéreas, Avianca, Azul Conecta and AZUL.
Fleet
The VRG airlines fleet included Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8.