An airlift: Continental-TAM alliance brings cheap Brazilian plastic surgerycloser than ever

For those tired of the hassle of party hopping through Brazil during Carnival, Continental is about to make your life a lot easier. our hometown airline and the Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines are teaming up for routes inside Brazil and between Brazil and the United States.

As part of the new setup, one airline will be able to sell space on the other's flights as if it were its own. For example, you could go on Continental's website and book a flight to Brazil and end up flying TAM or vice versa. It's a process known as "code sharing," which sounds sexy and shady — the embodiment of Brazil.

Continental and TAM already went semi-official in April, when they announced a new reciprocal frequent flyer program between the two companies.

Enhancing travel options in Brazil is a logical choice as the nation expands its natural resources development, both on- and offshore — a business that oil-centric Houston knows well. The code-sharing agreement came out on the same day that Houston-based KBR won a contract from Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) for the development of an ammonia plant in Tres Lagoas, Brazil

Added bonus: Extra-quick access to Brazil's bevy of questionable plastic surgeons. Remember when Usher's ex-wife, Tameka, indulged in a botched "medical tourism" jaunt, leaving her in a coma? Now, in case something slips while under the knife, you'll have easy access to hitch a ride back to the Texas Medical Center. The plastic surgery capital of the world is just a hop, skip and a jump from Terminal E.

The new agreement goes into effect on July 1. A date with the girl from Ipanema (or a quick connection to the 2016 Olympic Games) has never been so in reach.