Founded in 1927 by German immigrant Otto Ernst Meyer, Varig was one of
Brazil's earliest airlines. Serving a domestic network that covered an
area roughly the size of the US, and an international network that
traveled to four continents, Varig was a leader in the Brazilian travel
industry. Its Air Bridge service linking Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
helped connect the country and made travel for its citizens easier.
Varig's onboard service levels were second to none, with caviar and
prime steak served in first class. Even the all-economy Air Bridge
services provided food and drink for passengers. However, this
prosperity was not to last. As a result of government regulations,
inflation and currency fluctuations, international events beyond its
control and, to some degree, its refusal to adapt to market conditions,
Varig was finally declared bankrupt in 2006. Illustrated with over 120
images, this book details Varig's extremely modest beginnings in a small
corner of Brazil, its journey to become one of the world's major
carriers and its ultimate demise, providing a holistic view of this
once-great airline.
