VARIG PP-VND 1.1.0

The Airbus A300 is a "wide body" aircraft designed for short and medium distances. VARIG operated two A300 aircraft from June 1981 to June 1990 on domestic lines and in Latin America. In addition to VARIG, Cruzeiro also operated two A300 units. This aircraft was known as the "silent giant" as its acoustic technology was developed to minimize sound effects as well as air pollution. This in terms of Brazil was very significant, since most of our airports are located within urban perimeters. With the acquisition of the A300, VARIG could boast of operating the three most modern and sophisticated wide bodies at the time: Airbus A300, Douglas DC-10 and Boeing 747. The first two units were received by Cruzeiro on June 26, 1980. The first flight took place on July 1, 1980 between São Paulo and Buenos Aires. From the 15th of the same month, the A300 also started to operate on the São Paulo - Rio de Janeiro - Salvador - Recife - Fortaleza - Belém route. Later, the A300s also started to connect São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Brasília, Manaus, Caracas and Miami. A curious fact is that when the A300s with Cruzeiro colors started operating in Miami, VARIG was informed that the route belonged to VARIG and not Cruzeiro and that it would be better for the A300 that landed in Miami to be in VARIG colors. The A300s soon established a new standard of comfort for domestic flights, with two classes (first and economy), eight bathrooms, six galleys, 12 flight attendants and four channels of music for all passengers. The first unit in VARIG colors arrived on July 3, 1981 (PP-VND), the second (PP-VNE) arrived on June 23, 1982. The first route was between São Paulo and Santiago. With the arrival of more units of the Douglas DC-10 and Boeing 767, the A300s began to operate only domestic flights and to South America, mainly to Buenos Aires. After the inauguration of Guarulhos International Airport, the A300's advantage of taking off from Congonhas Airport is no longer so relevant. Therefore, VARIG decided to standardize its fleet with Boeing aircraft and began looking for buyers for its A300s. PP-VNE was sold in December 1989 to Japan Air System and PP-VND was sold in June 1990 to Air Jamaica.