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Azul / New Airlines / New Routes / David Neeleman / E-190s / Skyteam / → All Tags

Azul Is Flying And Now Looking For Friends

It’s been just over a month since Azul began flying around Brazil, but they’re already looking forward to bigger and better things. Not content with serving only domestic routes, the airline is reportedly looking to buddy up with the Skyteam alliance.

Although nothing is official yet, this would possibly allow for international connections and would certainly strengthen Skyteam’s network in South America.

Unfortunately, we haven’t heard any first-hand reports of flight experiences on David Neeleman’s new baby. We know there’s no TVs yet, so at least the trip reports won’t include complaints about the service dropping out and people missing their favorites telenovelas.

Have your own trip report to share? Send it our way.

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·Crisis May Reduce the Azul Fleet [Portal Exame]
·Neeleman's Newest Carrier Takes Off [Jaunted]
·New Airlines coverage [Jaunted]

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Azul / New Airlines / New Routes / David Neeleman / E-190s / → All Tags

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]