GOL Linhas Aéreas

GOL is one of Brazil's two largest domestic airlines, operating an all-Boeing 737 fleet of around 140 aircraft from bases at São Paulo's Congonhas and Guarulhos airports and at Rio de Janeiro. It emerged from a US Chapter 11 restructuring in June 2025 with $1.9 billion of exit financing and roughly $1.6 billion less debt, with Abra Group taking control of about 80% of the reorganised equity, and has since returned to fleet growth including Airbus A330-900 widebodies.

Flying for GOL

GOL does not run a sponsored ab-initio scheme. It recruits co-pilots directly through selection rounds opened as the fleet plan requires, typically for non-type-rated Boeing 737 First Officers holding an ANAC licence with ATPL theory complete and in the region of 500 hours. Brazilian pilots reaching those rounds have generally built their hours through instructing, air taxi work or a regional operator first, so the realistic path into GOL is a self-funded licence followed by a few years of hour-building rather than a direct entry from school.

Selection combines psychotechnical and aptitude testing with technical assessment, group exercises, interviews and a simulator check — the standard shape of Brazilian airline recruitment. Rounds open irregularly and close quickly, which puts a premium on being ready when one is announced rather than starting to prepare after it is.