Brazil - Business Class Sao Paulo to Santiago

Which airline is going to offer the better business class service between Sao Paulo and Santiago, LAN or TAM? Is there another airline you'd recommend?


We were told the roundtrip fare is about $US900, but locals pay half that. Is there any way of getting the same fare locals pay?

IIRC LAN didn't even have a real business class on that flight, despite charging for it... You only got to sit at the front. I think there may be some discernible service if it's a widebody aircraft, but generally benefits would be very few, eitheron TAM or LAN, apart from premium check-in, lounges...

No price different for locals/foreigners. Regional flights do tend to be expensive regardless of nationality!

TAM offer an excellent J product on the GRU-EZE route on both the A320 and A330 aircraft. EZE isn't as long a flight so I guess the offering on the SCL route should be pretty similar.

IIRC LAN didn't even have a real business class on that flight, despite charging for it... You only got to sit at the front. I think there may be some discernible service if it's a widebody aircraft, but generally benefits would be very few, eitheron TAM or LAN, apart from premium check-in, lounges...

No price different for locals/foreigners. Regional flights do tend to be expensive regardless of nationality!

They do have a real business class on that route. Proper LAN Premium Business with flat bed on a 767. I am flying it in August.

When booking I don't think I spotted any non 767 LAN options (although I am not saying there aren't any) LAN uses the Admirals Club at GRU and Salones Mistral & Neruda at SCL. Don't know what TAM uses nor have I ever flown TAM

TAM is in the Star Alliance. There is at least one TAM club and a United club at GRU (we've used the latter when flying Continental, before it was officially merged with UA). TAM and LAN are in the process of merging and it appears that they already have code share agrements (e.g., on Expedia, most of the options in that route ostensibly for TAM say "operated by LAN").

LAN seems to use, as noted, 767, with 2-2-2 seating in Biz Class. Like US Airways (don't know if LAN's are lie-flat seats). The one actual TAM flight I saw for that route used a 777, with a 2-3-2 configuration (yes, in biz class). I believe TAM may have the same configuration as on United 777s from GRU to IAD and ORD: three cabins, with biz class being the middle class. I'd probably opt for LAN, due to the seating configuration (and more flights). Make sure of the plane and seating used for the flight you choose. Who gives you the ff miles you want may be a factor for you.

Not sure if LAN and TAM are planning on being in the same alliance in the future.

I think LAN operates 5 daily services, 2 on the 767 with real Business Class and 3 on an A320 with a rather poor premium economy.
TAM operates 1 non-stop on a 777. Can vary depending on day of week.

Do TAM and LAN not have a code share agreement between the two cities? I know that such an agreement exist between Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) and Buenos Aires (Ezeiza) but I'm not sure about Sao Paulo and Santiago.

Do TAM and LAN not have a code share agreement between the two cities? I know that such an agreement exist between Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) and Buenos Aires (Ezeiza) but I'm not sure about Sao Paulo and Santiago.

Yes, apparently, as I noted (some of the flights listed as TAM on Expedia, for example, say "operated by LAN"). Seems to be just one flight with TAM metal, as 3544quebec also pointed out. I've never flown biz class as the middle class.

Which airline is going to offer the better business class service between Sao Paulo and Santiago, LAN or TAM? Is there another airline you'd recommend?


We were told the roundtrip fare is about $US900, but locals pay half that. Is there any way of getting the same fare locals pay?

$900 for RT business doesn't seem out of line. I expect it is similar to SFO/ORD length. Maybe there are some discounted J fares (booked in D or I) from time to time, and maybe the $900 is just that.

The LAN hard product on the 767 is nice - lie flat seats and an excellent IFE. I haven't flown the particular route for about 6 years. I'd expect you would receive a 1 tray meal service. Booking LAN far in advance could have a likely change of aircraft/service from 767 to A320, with only the "Premium Economy" service.

...

Not sure if LAN and TAM are planning on being in the same alliance in the future.

LAN and TAM will be in the same alliance and it is almost certain that it will be OW. "Almost only counts in horseshoes", as the US saying goes, but i'd give good odds that it will be OW.