Flying in Brazil: Where excess luggage doesn't cost extra

Europe's low-cost carriers are famously restrictive with baggage allowances. On Ireland's Ryanair, travellers can't bring onboard any bag weighing more than 10 kg. Beyond that, a first checked suitcase of 15 kg will set you back at least $US20, according to Ryanair's website.

Brazil's regulations mean that "when you force airlines to give something away for free, it's just not economically efficient because somehow, somewhere, the customer is paying for this," Sorensen said.

Usually that triggers higher ticket prices. A non-stop flight from Sao Paulo to Miami in mid-October runs about $US1600, according to a recent search on Expedia.com, while the cheapest nonstop flight of similar distance from New York to Rome is listed for $US1221. Barueri, Brazil-based Azul, which now just flies domestically, plans to add US service in December.

"The whole world thinks one way, and in Brazil, we're inventing things that just turn into costs and that increase ticket prices," said Ronaldo Jenkins, director of security and operations at the Brazilian airline association, known as Abear. "The authorities are unchangeable, because they think it's a win for the consumer."

Brazil's aviation regulation agency, known as Anac, is in the process of reviewing the country's luggage restrictions, it said in an e-mailed response to questions. The proposals, which include lower fares for travellers with less luggage, were open to public comment about 1.5 years ago and are now being analysed by Anac. New regulations should take effect next year.

Many travellers are accustomed now to having to pay extra for many things that were once taken for granted, including choosing a specific seat that might have more legroom and free snacks. Airlines are using fees from perks to boost the bottom line. Ancillary revenue rose to $US16 per person last year from $US6.99 in 2007, according to IdeaWorksCompany, which specialises in frequent flier programs and ancillary revenue. Baggage fees are the most significant source of ancillary income.

Undoing the current rules is "going to be tough," said Gol Chief Financial Officer Edmar Lopes, referring to efforts to get the government controls lifted. "A family with two adults and two kids, everyone, even in economy, has two bags and 32 kg. So it's 250 kg for a family. Would you imagine that?" Lopes said.

"As an international company, American Airlines abides by all laws and regulations of all the countries we serve," the company said in an e-mailed request for comment about Brazil's luggage policy. "From a market standpoint, our operations vary greatly around the globe."

The disparity between Brazil and the rest of the world puts Brazilians in costly and awkward situations when they try to change planes in Europe and the US, said Abear's Jenkins.

"You get to the States and you're going to take a connecting flight and the guy's going to charge you $US500 in excess baggage," Jenkins said in an interview in Sao Paulo.

'Stupidly expensive'

Brazilians say it's easy to go home with lots of stuff.

Families like Sainz Trapaga's bring back mountains of goods - from clothes and shoes to electronics and beauty products - because they're cheaper and of better quality abroad, she said.

"We try to fill our suitcases as much as possible," Sainz Trapaga said after disembarking from a United Continental flight at Aeroporto Internacional de Sao Paulo. "Here things are stupidly expensive."

Louise Osis, travelling home to Santos, Brazil, with friends and relatives after visiting Orlando and New York, was bringing back a microwaveable egg cooker, Band-Aids and designer-brand attire.

"We bought things you can't find in Brazil, like kitchen accessories," Osis said while checking in at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. "And we saw a pair of basketball shoes that in Brazil costs 350 reais ($165) for $US11.50, so of course we bought that."

Bloomberg