QF vs LAN to Buenos Aires

[justin23]

I'm looking at going to Buenos Aires. I'll skip Aerolineas Argentina thanks Funnily enough One world has competitively priced fares.

Now i can fly CBR-SYD-EZE on QF or CBR-SYD-AUK-SCL-EZE on LAN.

Assuming the QF website is correct, I get QFF status and FF points on LAN international flights without any exceptions it seems.

So anyone flown LAN and compare to QF? Shorter trip time and known quantity of QF vs LAN and more Status points which i may or may not need depending on work travel.... but i want to book this soon ish so can't wait to find out.

 

[docjames]

What class of travel?

Y vs Y - there's not much in it. QF has marginally better seats and IFE, but otherwise is about the same. If travelling as a couple, the 2-4-2 is a good config on the A340 (vs 3-4-3 on QF 744).

SCL is fine as a connection point to SCL-EZE. You wont get cabin or status bonus on LAN, but will get base points + SCs.

I'd happily go LAN again on any sector.

In J, they're (slightly) further behind, but if the price is right I wouldnt hesitate.

They do cop some stick for on-time performance (not sure if that's actually any worse than QF although there's less options into/out of AKL of cousre) so just factor that into your plans, if flights are booked on one booking number, it's not a problem and there's lots of flights EZE-SCL and vv.

 

[Sprucegoose]

What class of travel?



They do cop some stick for on-time performance (not sure if that's actually any worse than QF although there's less options into/out of AKL of cousre) so just factor that into your plans, if flights are booked on one booking number, it's not a problem and there's lots of flights EZE-SCL and vv.

yes agree, be careful here doc is correct. i got stuck both sides of the ditch a few weeks back and the confusion was typical fawlty towers.

The new equipment is good in the 340. Lie flat seat.

Trip report please?

cheers

SPRUCE

 

[Travel Guru]

In J, they're (slightly) further behind, but if the price is right I wouldnt hesitate.

Are you referring to LAN's old J product or their new offering? I've heard only good reports on their new J seat.

TG

 

[justin23]

I'd love to fly J but for personal travel it will have to be Y. After all the fares are $1378 return which is the typical Aerolineas price. I'll prob fly aerolineas internal though to go to iguazu falls and patagonia.

Looking at the stopover times has me slightly concerned. I assumed the flight from SYD to SCL was via AKL on the same plane. Is this the case thus you avoid being stuck in NZ because you missed the flight?

I note on seatguru that LAN has a 32" pitch compared to qantas 31". probably not a huge difference. I think i may fly QF there and LAN back.

Won't be til April, but will be happy to report back when i've done the trip.

 

[wrldtrvllr]

Also looking to go late March next yr. Probably QF for me as better chance of op-up. But am flying J with LAN next weekend SYD-AKL-SCL-EZE-FTE v.v. - I'll report back on the experience (I'm pretty confident they have the new lie-flat seats on their long haul...)

 

[docjames]

They were operating sporadically with one less A340 late last year in order to upgrade the J cabin (and remove F).

I believe the new J is pretty good (the website has some pics). The new Y is pretty good too (we sampled on a 763 SCL-EZE and the IFE and seating is quite good). Shows how good a 763 can be (compared to AA who we'd just flown, and QF's old clunkers).

 

[wile_e]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster (first time I've felt that I've been able to add to the conversation).

My +1 and I flew to LIM via SCL with LAN a few years ago. The layover in SCL was around 6 hours, and as we were NB QP, we did not have access to any of the oneworld lounges. However, there are paid lounges in SCL (relatively well priced) that we were able to access.

In terms of flights, we were in Y and the seats / service were pretty similar to Qantas. We did think that the meal servings were a little on the skinny side, however did find that the galley at the back of the plane had layed out sandwiches, chips, nuts etc for a 'help yourself' feed...

We're off to EZE in Dec and except for the total flight times, we would have gone with LAN. We're on QF instead this time (and seemingly able to select Y+ seats due to my increase in status).

 

[tuapekastar]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster (first time I've felt that I've been able to add to the conversation).

My +1 and I flew to LIM via SCL with LAN a few years ago. The layover in SCL was around 6 hours, and as we were NB QP, we did not have access to any of the oneworld lounges. However, there are paid lounges in SCL (relatively well priced) that we were able to access.

In terms of flights, we were in Y and the seats / service were pretty similar to Qantas. We did think that the meal servings were a little on the skinny side, however did find that the galley at the back of the plane had layed out sandwiches, chips, nuts etc for a 'help yourself' feed...

We're off to EZE in Dec and except for the total flight times, we would have gone with LAN. We're on QF instead this time (and seemingly able to select Y+ seats due to my increase in status).

Welcome to AFF wile_e!

 

[justin23]

I ended up booking the Qantas flights and used points to book an exit row seat. Given these fares were O and not able to be upgraded, I thought this was the next best option.

Given i'll earn ~20,000 point return and it cost me 40,000 to book the exit row seats its not too bad IMO.

 

[sbuerba]

If you fly via LAN via Santiago to Buenos Aires, can you stay in Santiago for a few days without paying extra? what about Qantas?

 

[justin23]

If you fly via LAN via Santiago to Buenos Aires, can you stay in Santiago for a few days without paying extra? what about Qantas?

Qantas is a direct flight. LAN usually flies via Santiago and possibly Auckland. At the time Qantas was cheaper. I like stopovers but in this case not really necessary. I tend to like the asian stopovers on long trips to europe, or stop in San Francisco if flying to the Carribbean or Central America.

 

[sbuerba]

I would like to spend some time in Chile so a stopover in Santiago would be perfect. Do you know if LAN charges an additional fee if you stay a few days there?

 

[justin23]

The fares i saw had a free stopover in each direction in either Santiago or Auckland. You'll have to go to a travel agent though as i don't think you could book that directly online.

 

[sbuerba]

Great! thanks for the advice.