Brazil’s Gol Is Flying Its Biggest Summer Ever, and Alaska Wants In

Brazil’s Gol is heading into the southern summer with the largest schedule in its history. For December 2026 and January 2027 the airline plans roughly 45,000 flights and more than 7 million seats, about 5,500 more flights than the same period a year ago and 2% more seats than its previous record, set last summer. Flights and seats are up around 15% on the 2026 low season, and the Northeast of Brazil gets 43% of the extra seats. Gol’s commercial chief, Mateus Pongeluppi, framed the plan as a response to growing leisure demand and a push to link its hubs more tightly with tourist regions.

A good share of the growth points south. Gol’s January seats to Argentina are up 30% on its October schedule, with Rosário up 160%, Córdoba up 130% and Mendoza up 70%. New routes include Rio de Janeiro Galeão to Salta, Brazil to El Calafate and Ushuaia, and Manaus and Fortaleza to Miami, alongside seasonal links such as Galeão to Mendoza, Florianópolis to Córdoba and Rosário, and several routes to Punta del Este. Lisbon capacity rises 22% and Santa Cruz de la Sierra 29% compared with the low season.

The same week, Alaska Airlines named Gol a global partner in Atmos Rewards, the loyalty programme it shares with Hawaiian Airlines. Since November 10, select Gol flights can be booked on alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com and earn Atmos points, with Alaska, Hawaiian and Gol segments on one ticket and bags checked through. Redeeming points on Gol is planned for early 2027. From March 28, 2027, West Coast travellers will be able to fly Alaska or Hawaiian to New York JFK and connect to Gol’s flights to Rio, where Gol links to more than 35 cities.

Alaska is also widening its tie-up with American Airlines for South America, starting with connections via JFK, Dallas and Miami to Rio and São Paulo, with more destinations promised in 2027. For travellers, the practical upshot is more ways to reach Brazil and Argentina this season and, for Atmos members, a new place to earn and eventually spend points. Gol fares are on sale through its website, app, the Smiles programme and travel agents; anyone planning to use Atmos points should wait for the redemption launch next year before counting on award seats.

Sources: Alaska Airlines Newsroom, PANROTAS