It is not often that I am able to accept an invitation from a reader, but when 27-year-old First Officer Will Romualdo offered me a jumpseat view with Avianca Brazil, I could not refuse. For the last two months, I had been flying the daytime trip to São Paulo. The layover would afford me the opportunity not only to observe the operational intricacies of a non-U.S. airline but also to experience the Brazilian equivalent of the New York/Washington shuttle.
The Brazilian shuttle is between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro — a 40-minute flight. When I was new to the 777, I actually flew this trip with my airline. The flights were between the two international airports of Guarulhos and Galeão. The real shuttle is between São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport and Rio’s Santos Dumont Airport, both situated just to the south of their big brothers.
