In September 2001 VARIG became the first airline in Latin American to operate Boeing 737-800 with winglets. The first aircraft, PP-VSA, arrived in September and the second, PP-VSB, in October. Winglets had been recently released and increases aircraft performance and reduces fuel consumption. Some of advantages include 4% reduction in fuel consumption, lower maintenance costs, less engine noise and better performance on takeoff, flight and landing.

VARIG’s Boeing 737-800 operated on domestic routes and South America flights, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima. The original order, in 1997, included the receipt of 10 Boeing 737-800, with an option for up to 32 Boeing 737NG aircraft. However, due to the financial crisis faced by the company, only two units were received. The two Boeing 737-800s remained in VARIG's fleet until the end of operations in June 2006. Both aircraft were transferred to Gol, PP-VSB in December 2006 and PP-VSA in April 2007.

VARIG's Boeing 737-800 internal configuration:

1st: 156 seats
Business Class: 12 seats (2+2 seats per row)
Economy Class: 144 seats (3+3 seats per row)

2nd: 162 seats
Business Class: 12 seats (2+2 seats per row)
Economy Class: 150 seats (3+3 seats per row)

3rd: 157 seats
Business Class: 16 seats (2+2 seats per row)
Economy Class: 141 seats (3+3 seats per row)

4th: 164 seats
Business Class: 8 seats (2+2 seats per row)
Economy Class: 156 seats (3+3 seats per row)