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Neeleman's Newest Carrier Takes Off

Start applying for those visas: David Neeleman's newest blue airline, Azul, is now flying in Brazil. The first flight left Viracopos-Campinas International near Sao Paulo for Salvador de Bahia on Monday, and the carrier now has five planes in service. Neeleman promises to have 42 E-190s and -195s flying by 2012, all kitted out with seatback TVs and leather seats.

Besides the live TV, which won't be switched on until late 2009, there are other similarities to JetBlue: Azul jets will have extra legroom in the front of the plane, available for R$30 ($13). Snacks, though, will be free and served out of a basket carried through the cabin.

Azul only flies to Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Salvador, "Sao Paulo" and Vitoria right now, but plans call for service to 25 cities with 16 planes by the end of 2009.

A one-way flight between Viracopos and Porto Alegre will cost you R$374 ($157) all-in and takes just 90 minutes. You can do the same trip on a bus for around 50 bucks; it'll take you 18 hours.

Related Stories:
· Azul [Official Site]
· All You Ever Wanted To Know About Azul [Jaunted]
· Neeleman's Azul Cleared To Fly In Brazil [Jaunted]