South America - Flights SFO to SCL or EZE

Are there any LAN flights with the route SFO-LAX-SCL or SFO-MIA-SCL? Or if not LAN, any other airline? I was planning to visit Santiago and Buenos Aires, in any order, at some point during the (Northern Hemisphere) summer in 2013, from SFO. If not LAN, do Aerolíneas Argentinas have this connection? Since I do not mind the order of visit, SFO-LAX/MIA-EZE or SFO-LAX/MIA-SCL would be fine. I would plan to fly from either EZE to SCL or vice versa, then return via the return flight route to SFO.

You will have to interline (generally with AA) to get SFO/LAX or SFO/MIA. You can fly SFO/LIM/SCL (or EZE) 4x/weekly.

At least a couple times a year I fly SFO/SCL (via LIM) then to EZE, then EZE/SFO (via LIM).

You might consider AC, particularly if you're flying from SFO. They have a very comfortable YYZ-SCL-EZE flight, and even with the extra time involved in getting to YYZ, it might be preferable to a long layover at LIM.

AC is a far better airline than any of the US carriers in terms of comfort and service. LAN is good as well.

Aerolíneas Argentinas doesn't fly to the US anymore. From what I've heard, this is a blessing.

Of course if you're planning the trip for 2013, there's plenty of time for routes and prices to change.

You might consider AC, particularly if you're flying from SFO. They have a very comfortable YYZ-SCL-EZE flight, and even with the extra time involved in getting to YYZ, it might be preferable to a long layover at LIM.


AC isn't a bad ride, but it is a quite long ride, especially if flying through to EZE. The LAN LIM timed connections are convenient, and short (sometimes too short)! You are also in a seat that doesn't recline much for the first/last 5 hours of each trip. LAN gets you a bed on the entire routing (except for SCL/BUE on most flights).

Aerolíneas Argentinas doesn't fly to the US anymore. From what I've heard, this is a blessing.


Aerolineas is a horrible airline yes..... avoid it like the Pest. It saddens me to have to say this, but I try to be a straight shooter as much as I possible can.

It does, however, still serve the USA with its (non)-services..... :rolleyes:

AC isn't a bad ride, but it is a quite long ride, especially if flying through to EZE. The LAN LIM timed connections are convenient, and short (sometimes too short)! You are also in a seat that doesn't recline much for the first/last 5 hours of each trip. LAN gets you a bed on the entire routing (except for SCL/BUE on most flights).

I was thinking of the route SFO-YYZ-SCL, which sounds good despite the very long route which I would estimate as around 5 hours to Toronto, then around 11 hours to Santiago. In any case I always fly economy, how are the seats and meals for the Air Canada compared to LAN? I have flown Air Canada a few times (and will be flying Air Canada SFO to Montréal soon), but I never have been on a very long flight with Air Canada. I never have flown with LAN before though. And with regards to the route SFO-LAX/MIA-SCL, is it an AA flight SFO-LAX then LAX-SCL with LAN? I cannot even remember if I have flown AA before.

Aerolineas is a horrible airline yes..... avoid it like the Pest. It saddens me to have to say this, but I try to be a straight shooter as much as I possible can.

It does, however, still serve the USA with its (non)-services..... :rolleyes:

They had incredible sales hard to refuse, I flew 3 times (LIM-EZE) during the 2000s but the last one they went on strike and it was a traumatic experience, no one gave explanations, people sleeping at EZE for days.. And it wasn't an isolated situation, they go on strike periodically (and i'ts an old story known since 1975 at least, as relatives told me).

I was thinking of the route SFO-YYZ-SCL, which sounds good despite the very long route which I would estimate as around 5 hours to Toronto, then around 11 hours to Santiago. In any case I always fly economy, how are the seats and meals for the Air Canada compared to LAN? I have flown Air Canada a few times (and will be flying Air Canada SFO to Montréal soon), but I never have been on a very long flight with Air Canada. I never have flown with LAN before though. And with regards to the route SFO-LAX/MIA-SCL, is it an AA flight SFO-LAX then LAX-SCL with LAN? I cannot even remember if I have flown AA before.

Fortunately, I've never sat behind the curtain on either LA or AC.
If you don't need a stop @ LAX, you are best off SFO/LIM/SCL. If you need to stop at LAX, then that segment is AA (or SFO/MIA is AA). Except for an occasional handful of days every year or so, there is no LAX/SCL nonstop. LA601/600 stops @ LIM, so LA2609/601 from SFO is just as good (in fact, better).