Brazilian air safety has never been a real problem. There has been huge publicity, mostly connected with a mid-air collision between a US citizen piloted now Embraer and a domestic airliner. Huge politics. There have been two other major events, a crash in Sao Paulo into a building and the famous Air France crash in the Atlantic. Given the size and extent of Brazil flying that is not a major list. The safety record overall is comparable with anywhere else.

That said, the prices you quote are pretty typical for the 4 1/2 hour flight GIG-EZE. I agree that the preference order would be TAM, GOL, Aerolineas. TAM is about to be a new member of *A, and miles can accrue on most *A carriers programs already. GOL is pending with OW and has mileage agreements with AA and some other OW carriers.

GOL has a low cost background. TAM has a mainline carrier background. TAM is classier.