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Rio de Janeiro has nonstop service from JFK, ATL, and MIA on American, Delta, United, and LATAM, with flight times around 9 to 10 hours.
Rio is in the Southern Hemisphere: Brazilian summer (December–March) is peak season, including Carnival (February/March, a huge demand spike — book well ahead) and New Year's Eve at Copacabana, and is the most expensive. Brazilian winter (June–August) is cooler, drier, and cheaper, still pleasant by US standards.
There's no dedicated low-cost carrier on this nonstop route — booking within the optimal window matters far more than carrier choice, especially around Carnival and New Year's.
4 to 6 weeks out on full-service carriers, or 3 to 5 weeks out on lower fare classes. Book well ahead of that for Carnival (February/March) given the huge demand spike.
Brazilian winter (June–August) is cooler, drier, and cheaper. Brazilian summer (December–March), especially around Carnival and New Year's, is the most expensive.
No dedicated budget carrier flies this route — full-service carriers compete on price, so timing matters more than airline choice.
Brazil's visa policy for US citizens has changed multiple times in recent years, alternating between visa-free entry and an e-Visa requirement. Verify the current requirement close to your travel date before booking.