U.S.-Brazil travel to get big boost, as new Sao Paulo routes proposed by DoT

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed new or expanded U.S. carrier rights from four U.S. cities--Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, and Charlotte--to Sao Paulo, Brazil.  The proposed awards would go to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and US Airways.

AA would inaugurate the only daily nonstop service by a U.S. airline between Los Angeles and Sao Paulo, while Delta would add a second daily flight from Atlanta.  In addition...Delta will continue its daily service from Detroit and US Airways will continue to operate a daily flight from Charlotte, N.C.

AA's planned Los Angeles service would provide the only nonstop flights by a U.S. carrier to Sao Paulo from the west coast, while a second daily flight by Delta from its Atlanta hub would give connecting passengers from more than 150 cities an additional option for travel to Brazil.

The additional flights are the result of a U.S.-Brazil agreement reached in March 2011.  The agreement provided for a phase-in of new air service opportunities until October 2015, after which all restrictions on air routes, destinations and fares between the two countries will be lifted, under the Open Skies treaty.