Hi all-

I posted this on the SA board but have received no responses, so I'll try here.

We're flying from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires in May. Flights (on Kayak) are looking to be around $270. Is this standard? When we were flying in Argentina a couple years ago, Aerolineas had special rates for foreigners. Is there anything similar on this route?
The airlines that do this route nonstop are:
Gol Linhas
Aerolineas Argentina
Tam

Aerolineas is okay. Any recommendations for or against the other two?

Thanks!
-m

Only special fares for residents and as far as I know they only cover domestic flights.

The price you see is pretty normal for the route so don't expect it to get it much cheaper. As for your choice of airline, mine would be in the order of TAM...Gol......................................... ........................Aerolineas.

Thanks.

What are peoples' thoughts on the current state of Brazilian air safety? I know it was a big issue a couple years back.
Thanks.
-M

Very efficient....not a problem. If there was the likes of BA AA AF LH wouldn't go near the place.

Agreed, that is an Ok fare for the route. I haven't seen fare sales on GIG-EZE this year like last, though I imagine they are out there. If you are committed to travel on dates certain I would go for those. I found TAM and GOL equal in service and punctuality.

You may also want to take a look at Pluna, the Uruguayan carrier. They sometimes offer good fares on the route, with a brief stop in MVD. Good luck.

Wirelessly posted (Nokia N97 / Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x320)

If you can go with Pluna, that would be my 1st choice.

Indeed Pluna is a option and they are cheaper but a connection plus a extra couple of hours on to the journey wouldn't be to my liking when there are plenty direct services. TAMs inflight service would win my vote.

I just took this GIG-EZE route on Aerolineas last week.
Just be ready for s short delay, unannounced gate changes and no boarding announcements.

The flight itself was fine, but Gol looked like they had it under better control.

Excellent.
Thanks, all.

We're thinking about throwing in a sidetrip to Florianopolis, so the options may be a little different.

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.