Aerolineas Argentina $999 SYD-EZE

[philflyer]

I just spotted this special fare from Aerolineas this morning. I've been watching for fares from Australia to South Americas for several years and I think this is the cheapest I have ever seen.

It's usually a last resort that I would fly on a non-Oneworld carrier, but this seems too cheap to resist. Any thoughts on flying with Aerolineas Argentina? I've heard that it's an old A340-200 with no individual entertainment systems in econ. But the seat pitch looks better than Qantas econ.

 

[casanovawa]

I saw this yesterday through an STA email, can go to 8 destinations in South America i recall... And yeah if i didn't have so much travel already planned it could be a good deal.. Pity no individual IFE if that is true, that would suck, but can't comment on how good the airline is or not...

 

[docjames]

Wow, that's cheap. Could buy an Ipad, load with games/movies/shows and still be well under QF/LA pricing.....

 

[juddles]

Aerolineas is a bit complicated. I flew on them a lot during the 80´s and 90´s, but no longer. A few comments:

1.- Their pilots are good.
2.- Their planes are old. Quite tired interior.
3.- Argentines are chaotic by nature. Everything is hit and miss, in almost every facet of their operations.
4.- Staff can be great (Argentines are not a bad people) but can also be horrid.
5.- They have developed the art of delays into an artform.
6.- Overall, if you dont expect very much, and are happy to sit in an old seat with cough entertainment aand instead concentrate on getting pissed, then they are fine. If you are going to get your nose out of joint over minor issues, avoid them like the plague.
7.- Some of both my worst and best experiences have been with them.

In a nutshell, hit and miss all the way, in tired aeroplanes, but with luck and low expectations actually not a bad option for the price.

 

[yohy?!]

...concentrate on getting pissed, then they are fine.

LOL

The only anecdote I've heard was from a friend who was flying them SYD-AKL a couple of years back - as they took off the economy cabin enjoyed the sounds of the toilets overflowing into the back of the cabin!!

 

[haydensydney]

The reviews online look less than stellar. I would almost pay the difference to go on QF so I'd get a good entertainment system and a nice meal. I've heard ferral things about the Aerolineas.

 

[Travel Guru]

I wouldn't fly on Aerolinas Argentinas even if they were $0

TG

 

[VHOEJ]

I wouldn't fly them either, even if the price is that low. Thier on time performance and reliability leaves a lot to be desired so you run a huge risk if you have a schedule to stick to.

 

[civinod]

I would agree that flying across the big pacific ocean in an old old plane is not my idea of good risk management
BUT I did fly with them in Argentina over the Xmas break. Brand new Embraer jets. It felt like it was a private Lear Jet whisking us away to see the sights of Argentina. Leather seats lots of space and plane half empty.
I guess we were lucky!!

 

[philflyer]

Not many positive comments about the airline. I just noticed something else interesting... looking at dates in August, the flight numbers to Sydney have changed to AR1180/1181, and it turns in to a non-stop SYD-EZE flight. I guess they are taking advantage of Qantas leaving that route.

 

[bigjobs]

Aerolineas is a bit complicated. I flew on them a lot during the 80´s and 90´s, but no longer. A few comments:

1.- Their pilots are good.
2.- Their planes are old. Quite tired interior.
3.- Argentines are chaotic by nature. Everything is hit and miss, in almost every facet of their operations.
4.- Staff can be great (Argentines are not a bad people) but can also be horrid.
5.- They have developed the art of delays into an artform.
6.- Overall, if you dont expect very much, and are happy to sit in an old seat with cough entertainment aand instead concentrate on getting pissed, then they are fine. If you are going to get your nose out of joint over minor issues, avoid them like the plague.
7.- Some of both my worst and best experiences have been with them.

In a nutshell, hit and miss all the way, in tired aeroplanes, but with luck and low expectations actually not a bad option for the price.

that's Qantas, except the bit about the not a bad option for the price.

 

[k_sheep]

I wouldn't fly on Aerolinas Argentinas even if they were $0

TG

Seconded! I prayed for my life once on them LGW-MAD to save 5 pounds, never again.

 

[browski]

Some years back, I flew them on a domestic EZE-Salta return flight.

My ticket had been mysteriously canceled and there were no Y tickets left. The J ticket was just $200 return more, so I purchased and flew J.
Salta has no airbridge. The pilot landed and initially applied the brakes (a bit) but then proceeded to switch off the engines and free wheel the next 400meters til he came to a stop somewhere near the vicinity of the terminal. The pilot then quickly appeared from the coughpit and took some applause and kudos from the departing passengers - he was very happy with his work.

I'd fly them, but I'd treat them like Jetstar and fly them only if you have no onward connecting flight.

Oh yeah, one more thing. IFE really? Surely this is now irrelevant; it's 2012 people. I'm guessing those same people leave for the airport just a bit earlier so they can return a DVD to Video Ezy on the way.

 

[Saji]

Not many positive comments about the airline. I just noticed something else interesting... looking at dates in August, the flight numbers to Sydney have changed to AR1180/1181, and it turns in to a non-stop SYD-EZE flight. I guess they are taking advantage of Qantas leaving that route.

The only positive comment I can see so far is in your opening thread...A$999.00!!!!! Having said that its safety record has to be alright and every other not so positive comments will be an add on to the price.

 

[bigjobs]

Oh yeah, one more thing. IFE really? Surely this is now irrelevant; it's 2012 people. I'm guessing those same people leave for the airport just a bit earlier so they can return a DVD to Video Ezy on the way.

I lol'd irl