Other North & South America Frequent Flyer Programs - LAN apparently to start SFO/SCL in 2010

As reported on a.net and also the reliable http://envivodesdescl.blogspot.com/ blog.

I am surprised it isn't SFO/LIM/SCL, but am thrilled if this is really what is going to be. I wonder if their 763s with the winglets can make it. Actually, I'd be thrilled with even SFO/LIM - anything to avoid an LAX connection.

This is the best travel news I have heard in years, selfishly speaking of course. :D

I am very sceptical this will materialise. LAN cannot even manage its operations SCL-LAX which remain seasonal (December-February) and 3 x week.

KE remains the best airline linking US West Coast and South America.

Rgs,

I am very sceptical this will materialise. LAN cannot even manage its operations SCL-LAX which remain seasonal (December-February) and 3 x week.

KE remains the best airline linking US West Coast and South America.

Rgs,

KE???...with 3 flights/week from LAX-GRU only, are you joking? Maybe you should look first at LAN network in the Americas.

KE???...with 3 flights/week from LAX-GRU only, are you joking? Maybe you should look first at LAN network in the Americas.

I said "the best airline" linking US West Coast and South America is KE. KE is ranked as 5* airline in basically all rankings with excellent product.

Rgs,

I said "the best airline" linking US West Coast and South America is KE. KE is ranked as 5* airline in basically all rankings with excellent product.

Rgs,

So the only port of entry for you in Southamerica is GRU...and then connect to all the continent. BTW LAN C class seat is much better than KE. Also Y product I think is better. What is a 5* airline for you?
After you "link" US west coast (actually on LAX, because KE doesn't link other city) to GRU which Skyteam airline you use to fly intra-Southamerica?

KE is currenlty the best ranked airline flying between the US and Latin America.

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/quick_search.htm

Rgs,

KE is currenlty the best ranked airline flying between the US and Latin America.

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/quick_search.htm

Rgs,

Funny that you stated KE is 5* and your sources list it as 4*

Also I don't see any award for KE on 2009 http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Awards_2009/Result_Summary.htm

Still missing your strong argument that KE is the best airline between US and South America

Regardless of KE being the best airline or the worst, flying through GRU to get to SCL is like flying NRT/ORD to get back to SFO.

I will not discuss whether KE is better than LAN (while it is known that KE is 4* and LAN is 3*)

About connections, you will be impressed with the number of passengers TAM connects from the US and especially Europe to SCL via GRU. Enough to keep the daily B77W full to the nose with about 50% ratio international connections.

...and back to the topic...I just do not think SCL-SFO will happen while LAN cannot keep LAX year-around. As I said, LAX-SCL currently operates seasonal and 3 x week and the LAX markets is much larger than SFO.

Rgs,

...and back to the topic...I just do not think SCL-SFO will happen while LAN cannot keep LAX year-around. As I said, LAX-SCL currently operates seasonal and 3 x week and the LAX markets is much larger than SFO.

Rgs,

I am surprised that this is not a SFO/LIM/SCL routing (which I think would be quite viable) which is one-stop easy LIM connection to all of South America. I wonder if there are some corp contracts in place (either cargo or passenger) for the route. I believe that there is a lot of Bay Area / South America demand (enough to sustain the route) if they get people to switch carriers.

I am surprised that this is not a SFO/LIM/SCL routing (which I think would be quite viable) which is one-stop easy LIM connection to all of South America. I wonder if there are some corp contracts in place (either cargo or passenger) for the route. I believe that there is a lot of Bay Area / South America demand (enough to sustain the route) if they get people to switch carriers.

LAN's core profit (not revenue) still comes from full and belly cargo loads. A lot happening these days between Chile and US West coast/Asia. LAN has been lobbying Japan to be able to fly to NRT, but not successful yet. Nowadays with an FTA between CL and JP it could be one reason they want to open a new route to SFO.
LAN acquired two 772 (first delivered April 2009) just for cargo (bad timing because of less global cargo movement) but nowadays picking up again. Currently moving a lot of salmon from Chile and Agproduce (Chile/Peru) to US.

Regarding the LAX-SCL route, funny thing is that whenever my company tries to book a C class seat on this route is always full or more expensive than via JFK. We have employees flying every week from SCL-NRT and half of the time need to go through JFK. And yes, point of entry GRU to connect to SCL is so convenient that I will encourage hardiwv to continue thinking is the best link. I will fly directly or via LIM any day.

And yes, point of entry GRU to connect to SCL is so convenient that I will encourage hardiwv to continue thinking is the best link. I will fly directly or via LIM any day.

Right after UA quit flying to SCL, I was using UA miles to get there and the only award space I could get was SFO(UA)LAX(RG)GRU(RG)SCL and then a paid LA to PMC. There was no front cabin seat comfortable enough at some point in each direction, and the GRU connection was not very pleasant.

I hope this route is for real, and I hope it lasts.

Wow ^

Fingers crossed this materializes. It's about time SFO had some nonstops to SA!

Right after UA quit flying to SCL, I was using UA miles to get there and the only award space I could get was SFO(UA)LAX(RG)GRU(RG)SCL and then a paid LA to PMC. There was no front cabin seat comfortable enough at some point in each direction, and the GRU connection was not very pleasant.

I hope this route is for real, and I hope it lasts.

Same here, if not flying OW, I use UA NRT-IAD-EZE and then connect with LA to SCL/PMC. It works better for me since EZE-SCL flights frequency is better than GRU. Next week will fly NRT-HKG-AKL-SCL-PMC (NRT-HKG-AKL is on CX, because I am avoiding JL. CX C product is much better)