Wish List.

Continental Airlines is on the prowl in Brazil, but it's not after any of the likely suspects. [Airplane] TAM is already teamed up with American Airlines. Varig belongs to Star Alliance with United Air Lines. Vasp is in so much financial trouble that Continental dumped it. And Continental's talks with Transbrasil fell apart because of concerns over the Brazilian carrier's safety record. But a start-up like Transportes Gol, making headway by offering low domestic fares, well, that's a different story. [Airplane] Pete Garcia, Continental's vice president of sales and marketing for Latin America and the Caribbean, won't say if talks are under way. But he's quick to praise Gol as he points out that Continental "would do better with a domestic carrier" in Brazil. Continental dropped its money-losing Belo Horizonte service, but it has stepped up Houston and Newark flights to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. An in-country partner would be the stepping stone to other cities in the region's biggest country. [Airplane] Brazil isn't where Continenta l's wish list ends. The carrier also wants a partner in Mexico, where it serves 21 cities. But it's not considering AeroMexico or Mexicana de Aviacion earmarked for privatization. [Airplane] Garcia says Continental is more likely to go after a newcomer on the aviation scene or a growing player like Azteca. "Sometimes the new girl on the block looks more interesting," he explains.