Slightly off your topic, 100k, but you travel GIG on a regular basis so will ask.

With direct AC flights discontinued, the GRU-GIG (or better GRU-SDU) AC connections suck or perhaps do not exist for SDU.

Are you going to book separate connecting flights to Rio from brazilian airlines, for the better options or stick with AC, limited, offers?

The former offers better choice but there is, however, the issue of baggage allowance.