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Used to have both but dumped them because the miles programs are junk.  I am now using Delta and because I am platinum, I tend to be upgraded to Premium Economy at a minimum.

Not sure whether I have answered your question.

I have no allegiance to any airline  I set up alerts in Google flights.  Whichever one best suits my needs gets my business. Not only on price, but layovers and hours in the airport.  l don’t have any experience with Air Canada, but overall l have had good results with United. My preference is Delta if possible, but on my last trip to Brazil l flew American just because it better suited my travel dates 

My husband flew United in July and had a terrible experience.  Flying from GRU to Newark there was only ONE working toilet for all passengers in economy.  The toilets were already not functional starting at departure. I think this is illegal and if not it should be.

On the flight back his flight from Ithaca to Newark got canceled (he was notified the day of)  It turned out that daily flight was canceled 5/7 times that week.  He attempted to take an Uber but when he arrived in Newark his flight from Newark to GRU had been delayed by 14 hours.  United said they would reimburse the Uber fair but as you might guess that still has not happened.  We had not flown United for many years and after this decided to try to avoid it at all cost.  Can't imagine that Canada air can be worse.  My favorite airline is KLM and we have had good luck with Azul and Latam.  We're flying AA today to RDU from GRU, so hopefully it will be a good experience.

Well air canada and united are the two that suit my current needs. I live on an island but with air canada I can fly off it to get to a main airport to get to Brazil and stay in canada. I heard their premium economy is better as its a closed off cabin and offers many of the perks you get in first class.

United gives a lower price and allows for 100lbs bags, it is shorter in flight time by 3 hours but I need to go through Houston. However with them I would have to ferry, bus and hotel on the mainland and probably taxi, with the amount of bags.

Usually I go economy but with the added fees for bags and the distance I want to be able to relax more for a few hundred more.

@canforbra, if you are a frequent flyer, I would recommend looking at the Star Alliance group which includes the 2 airlines ->   If you are a frequent flyer, it may be beneficial to join this group so that you can get additional perks that includes lounge access etc.

Delta is part of Skyteam and the benefits of Delta loyalty status is recognized by all other members of that group.  For example, when I fly KLM or Air France or China Airlines, I have the same perks as flying Delta international.  Since LATAM has joined Skyteam, my choice of airlines has increased.

Re: premium economy - that depends on the plane that you are on... The seating configuration is determined by the plane.  The most interesting seating configuration that I experienced was the A380 where the whole top floor was first / business class.  And the most appealing part of that experience was that you could sleep flat like on a bed.  Unfortunately only Emirates fly the A380 these days.

Most 2 engine planes tend to have the typical First class, Business / Premium, Economy configuration.  Because there is only 1 deck, it's hard to close things off.  Everything is just separated by a curtain.  It is not as glorious as people think.

I think that airplane travel is no more glorious than bus travel.  If you are a frequent flyer, then you are a great target for airlines and you should be in a good position to shop for prices vs benefit - and that includes free upgrades.  However, if you don't travel much, think of air travel like rail travel.  If you want a pleasant train ride, then choose first class and not coach.  It's a little more expensive but it's really worth it.

Being retired, I always look for the cheapest trip from Denver to Porto Alegre, and have been flying Air Canada for a few years now.  Lately, however, I noticed that AC has made it difficult to find this fare on-line...and is usually quite expensive compared to a flight from DEN to GRU.  I now fly to GRU, then take Azul or Gol down to POA. 

I do fly AC for one reason....they allow me two suitcases with 32 kilos each free of charge.  One other idea when flying AC....take your own snacks, and perhaps a source of entertainment.  Lately the food service is questionable....at least in economy class....and the music offered seems to come from the same kitchen, with similar results. 

@chefjim I finally booked my flight to gru. It is with AC  it is a flat 18.35 hours which is good and I don't have to transfer in the usa. It is tricky cause I'm on vancouver Island which means a flight or ferry. My flight is yyj to yvr to yul to gru. I leave in February

I fly COPA. They all stop at their hub in Panama, but it is cheaper, and the shortest duration, since they have direct flights from Panama to Brasilia. I can avoid flying down to SP or Rio to get back up to Brasilia. Two flights from Dulles (Virginia) to Brasilia instead of three. Copa is average, not Emerites or Singapore Air, but in the last five round trips I've had no problems.

Ola Canforbra,

Parabens on your upcoming trip to Brasil!  Just by chance, how long did it take for you to get a new visa?  I normally head to Brasil in late-February....mainly to head to Caxias do Sul for the Festa da Uva!  This year I'm still waiting for a new US passport, unfortunately. 

Boa viagem!

    Ola Canforbra,
Parabens on your upcoming trip to Brasil!  Just by chance, how long did it take for you to get a new visa?  I normally head to Brasil in late-February....mainly to head to Caxias do Sul for the Festa da Uva!  This year I'm still waiting for a new US passport, unfortunately. 

Boa viagem!
   

    -@chefjim

@chefjim, there is an existing thread on the need for US / CDN citizens to get an e-visa -> /forum/viewtopic.p … 3#5816652.

In summary, you will need to apply for the tourist e-visa here ->

I am heading there in mid-February (Carnival) and I have applied for my e-visa on 12/18.  Supposed to take 5 biz days but I am still waiting for it - I suspect that the delays are because of the holidays.

PS:  Plse post about your experience of the Festa da Uva.  Sounds really interesting.

Good luck.

Air Tran ( gone, btw ) based out of Atlanta, used to be a hidden gem.  Always impecable service with a smile. And decent rates to boot.

I once lost a Atlanta-Boston flight, and the counter person arranged me to be on the next one, while bumping me to business class. 

Delta is the least worse.  It's Atlanta based carrier. Which makes it for a decent layover ( Hartfeld Airport has a private subway between terminals ).

American, for the ages, used to be and still is a pain to deal with.  Lots of lost luggage, I drove taxicabs in Boston, and we used to make plenty  lost luggage runs on flat rates. Once the Union Buster Randall left the CEO seat, it's gotten worse. He was a hard ass executive  but he kicked butts and made sure things worked back then.

I just flew YYC-YUL-GRU-GIG on Air Canada twice in the last 6 weeks.

Which airline is better ? For me it is all about the routing, as pretty much all airlines, except for a few ME, ones offer up the same CRAPPY MEDIOCRE PRODUCT in the back of the bus. I fly in business class though, but, routing is still all that matters, even up front.

Unfortunately, living on the island makes it a bit more complicated for the OP, so, the trip planning is a factor, as longer stops can make it a hell. Been there, done that......heh. Avoid Toronto, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, DFW, MIA, etc, as connections.

I've flown 2.3 million statute miles in 25 years, 75% of that on *A carriers.....AC, UAL mainly, and a bit on Aeroflot, the rest on a mixed bag of US and other carriers.

Don't worry about FF programs, they are so diluted today their value and points worthless IMHO. I was a 1K on UAL for over a decade. There are so many of us that getting upgrades is almost a joke now, and the lounges are full of what I call the credit card fliers.

FWIW don't waste the money to sit in the new AC or UAL premium economy. It's purely a marketing money grab as it is what economy class was like 30 years ago. Sit in E+ on UAL in the back so you have the 5" of extra legroom, put a smallish carry on under the seat so it acts as a footrest, and take ZOPICLONE to knock yourself out for the 11 hour hop from YUL-GRU.

Or, sit in front, make your bed after laying the seat 180 degrees flat, turn on the massage function and select your mattress firmness, then take the same Zopiclone pills, and when you get up it's like you were in bed at home and you don't need 2-3 days to physically recover from being treated like a sardine in a can.

Just to add since I can't edit the above.......

The best routing ever for us living in western Canada is shown below........used this over 30 times except for some reason United has gone crazy with their prices this year, so, I flew on AC this time.

YYC-IAH (4 hours flight with a 4 hour wait in IAH) then off to GIG or GRU direct from there (10-11 hours flying)..........you avoid the notorious bad weather hubs by going thru Houston.

Economy is $1,000-1,400.......E+ is about $400 extra........business is normally between $3,500-5,000 return.........forgot to mention another benefit to paying more besides the physical component, you are off the plane first, thru customs/immigration first, and out of the airport, while those in the back are still walking thru the terminal and then standing in line with the remaining 250 pax.

You will land at gate 51R in GRU and walk about 2KM to the immigration kiosks. Be prepared.