Programs: My primary programs are AA EXP, Hilton Gold, National Executive. Also SPG Gold, Hertz Gold, AS & BA.
Posts: 3,631
Quote:
Originally Posted by CloudsBelow
I did a search "LAN 767", "LAN comparison" and nothing of value materialized.
No problem! The search can be a bit flaky; I clicked advanced search, and searched thread titles only for "LAN business" (without quotes of course). I generally find thread titles to be the best way to search. Good luck with your travels!
MIA's a bit of a mess to South America no matter the airline in my experience. AA lands in terminal D (north concourse) and sometimes the smaller E gates. LAN leaves out of the J terminal (south concourse). Terminal D has the skytrain (it is very long) so you can move between there to shorten the walk to the SkyRide. They recommend 15 minutes to transfer between terminals, but that can vary.
Any trouble you'd encounter connecting in MIA I would exchange for the better service/product that LAN offers. You'll be fine.
Programs: AA Gold, BA Silver, *wood Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,102
LAN has a special security/customs line for departing J passengers at SCL (far end of check-in level) that is very advantageous. iirc, it is not available to either AA or AC customers. Another plus for LAN.
I don't mind connecting in MIami. Anyways, you'll pre-clear US customs in Canada. So when you arrive in MIA its like a domestic flight. You can go straight to terminal J but I think the lounge in terminal J (club america) is gross. I was there 72 hours ago and the F class side was dirty. I guess you could stay in D and go to the AA club for a while before heading to terminal J...or if you're hungry enjoy some cuban cuisine by d30.
Or fly via LAX and try the new LAN 787 (yes LAX is further and requires a stop in LIM) but might be worth the experience.
Otherwise if flying from MIA - pick LAN, awesome.
I find LAN J (767) much more comfortable than AA J, whether 767 or 777 on AA.
That said, the differences are not enormous, and when faced at check-in with LAN tonight at JFK (for a JFK-SCL-EZE) I didn't think too long about accepting JFK-EZE on AA in J instead (LA had an oversell situation in J). Nonstop made up for slightly more comfortable bed... and I would even have had a 787 ride from SCL to EZE (787 would be new for me).
If you're looking at changing airlines (AA to LA) in MIA, I'd also be cautious, as my experience there involves lots of long walks between terminals, and not as much continuity as you'd expect otherwise...
The LA J seats are miles ahead of AA - plenty of room either fully flat or in seated positions - AA has limited pitch and is extremely tight IMO. Also I find the two part tray tables on AA have gotten battered to the point where they no longer connect providing two inferior tray tables.
