Brazilian Beauty

Above is a Varig Boeing 747-300, this shot taken by Rob Finlayson at LAX. 

Varig flew 747s from 1985-2000. The carrier was the first national carrier of Brazil, having started services in 1927.  Its demise began in the 1980s, with high inflation rates, political problems and increased competition. By 2006, Varig was in bankrupty and was split into two carriers. "New" Varig was integrated into Gol and  ceased being Varig in mid-2006.

"Old" Varig was known as Nordeste Linhas Aéreas S/A, and operated  as a charter carrier in Oct. 2007 under the brand-name Flex Linhas Aéreas. Flex declared bankrupty in 2010.