SA vs NA comparison - flight report
Dec 16, 2011, 5:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Flew over the Equator 55 times last 3 years
Programs: LANPASS Comodoro (Emerald), others
Posts: 2,957
SA vs NA comparison - flight report
I just finished my South America trip, and I've been on 3 NA flights, 4 international LAN flights, and 7 domestic LAN flights. The LAN segments were super while the NA segments pretty much sucked.
None of my 11 LAN flights were cancelled, all were on time or early, except for TRU where the pilot aborted the landing due to fog, circled for 15 minutes, then found an opening to put down. My bags always arrived me, being treated with some respect (you can watch the baggage handlers place, not throw, luggage on the carts and belts). In NA, one flight was cancelled making for last minute scrambling, one was late, and my bag was lost on the final segment. I note that I saw ground crew at LIM being frisked after loading the bags while also noting reports of increased thefts at JFK.
My short (+/- 1 hour) LAN domestic flights were on A319s and A320s, all were spotlessly clean, modern and comfortable. Room for my bags and room for my legs. In Y, but always served with a snack by eager tripulación with drinks, even free beer. In Y, NA flights (+/- 2 hours) were on cramped old dirty Regional Jets (CR7) and UA Embraer RJ145, the latter being particularly dirty, with almost no luggage space. No snacks, no beer, just a small beverage.
LAN international in J was exceptional, both food and service. Boeing 767-300ER. They addressed me by name, proactively looked after me, and even had the courtesy to laugh (well, at least smile) at my jokes. In NA the crews seemed mostly tired and bored, the exception being a particularly friendly and personable FA on the IAD-YOW leg.
Airports at LIM, TRU, CIX, PIU, GYE, were all clean modern and efficient. UIO a bit more chaotic. Invariably, check in and security had almost no wait time and workers were friendly to me. Time from hotel to regional airports less than $2 and 10 minutes. Since I had my boarding pass 48 hours before, went to airport less than 1 hour before, hardly had time for a cappuccino. Boarding was good (remember I had Preferente) but, even for non-elites the multiple GAs scan the boarding passes while the orderly cola forms, making even that pretty efficient. In NA segments, single GA, mostly overworked and often busy with DYKWIA types, gate lice at boarding. MIA and IAD are tired airports, nothing special. What was interesting was the cola for the MIA-HAV flights where they luggage was piled high, I counted one family with 12 oversized plastic-wrapped hockey bag sized excess. Easily exceeded the JFK-GYE excess luggage by a mile and then some.
In SA never a word about my overage in carry-ons. At MIA for my NA flights, had to debate my carry on until she gave in (I started taking out and putting on my winter clothes). Security at MIA, IAD and JFK were all backed up and made me feel like I was some kind criminal, barking out orders as if I worked for them. At JFK she ignored the Preferente line so much so that I moved over to the (backed up) normal line and got through faster. Never a word about my checked luggage in Peru, in NA had to collate two into one bag to avoid bag charges.
I liked the LIM Sumaq lounge, really liked the new GYE lounge, and noticed they are building domestic VIP lounges in Peru, such as at CIX. Looked at the LIM VIP domestic lounge, seemed small, but quiet. JFK Oasis was nice, more abundant food than LIM Sumaq (had both breakfast and late snack there) and GYE VIP lounge, though they made me happy there by supplying Bailey's to my morning coffee.
Overall, I give my LAN experience high grades and my NA flights a failing grade. Someone asked me recently about flying in the third world SA, as if it were some kind of danger or punishment, suggesting planes were old and dangerous, airports dirty and dangerous, and service sub-standard as compared to NA. Lets keep it a secret that it is quite the opposite, in my recent experience.
None of my 11 LAN flights were cancelled, all were on time or early, except for TRU where the pilot aborted the landing due to fog, circled for 15 minutes, then found an opening to put down. My bags always arrived me, being treated with some respect (you can watch the baggage handlers place, not throw, luggage on the carts and belts). In NA, one flight was cancelled making for last minute scrambling, one was late, and my bag was lost on the final segment. I note that I saw ground crew at LIM being frisked after loading the bags while also noting reports of increased thefts at JFK.
My short (+/- 1 hour) LAN domestic flights were on A319s and A320s, all were spotlessly clean, modern and comfortable. Room for my bags and room for my legs. In Y, but always served with a snack by eager tripulación with drinks, even free beer. In Y, NA flights (+/- 2 hours) were on cramped old dirty Regional Jets (CR7) and UA Embraer RJ145, the latter being particularly dirty, with almost no luggage space. No snacks, no beer, just a small beverage.
LAN international in J was exceptional, both food and service. Boeing 767-300ER. They addressed me by name, proactively looked after me, and even had the courtesy to laugh (well, at least smile) at my jokes. In NA the crews seemed mostly tired and bored, the exception being a particularly friendly and personable FA on the IAD-YOW leg.
Airports at LIM, TRU, CIX, PIU, GYE, were all clean modern and efficient. UIO a bit more chaotic. Invariably, check in and security had almost no wait time and workers were friendly to me. Time from hotel to regional airports less than $2 and 10 minutes. Since I had my boarding pass 48 hours before, went to airport less than 1 hour before, hardly had time for a cappuccino. Boarding was good (remember I had Preferente) but, even for non-elites the multiple GAs scan the boarding passes while the orderly cola forms, making even that pretty efficient. In NA segments, single GA, mostly overworked and often busy with DYKWIA types, gate lice at boarding. MIA and IAD are tired airports, nothing special. What was interesting was the cola for the MIA-HAV flights where they luggage was piled high, I counted one family with 12 oversized plastic-wrapped hockey bag sized excess. Easily exceeded the JFK-GYE excess luggage by a mile and then some.
In SA never a word about my overage in carry-ons. At MIA for my NA flights, had to debate my carry on until she gave in (I started taking out and putting on my winter clothes). Security at MIA, IAD and JFK were all backed up and made me feel like I was some kind criminal, barking out orders as if I worked for them. At JFK she ignored the Preferente line so much so that I moved over to the (backed up) normal line and got through faster. Never a word about my checked luggage in Peru, in NA had to collate two into one bag to avoid bag charges.
I liked the LIM Sumaq lounge, really liked the new GYE lounge, and noticed they are building domestic VIP lounges in Peru, such as at CIX. Looked at the LIM VIP domestic lounge, seemed small, but quiet. JFK Oasis was nice, more abundant food than LIM Sumaq (had both breakfast and late snack there) and GYE VIP lounge, though they made me happy there by supplying Bailey's to my morning coffee.
Overall, I give my LAN experience high grades and my NA flights a failing grade. Someone asked me recently about flying in the third world SA, as if it were some kind of danger or punishment, suggesting planes were old and dangerous, airports dirty and dangerous, and service sub-standard as compared to NA. Lets keep it a secret that it is quite the opposite, in my recent experience.
Dec 16, 2011, 6:39 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
...
Overall, I give my LAN experience high grades and my NA flights a failing grade. Someone asked me recently about flying in the third world SA, as if it were some kind of danger or punishment, suggesting planes were old and dangerous, airports dirty and dangerous, and service sub-standard as compared to NA. Lets keep it a secret that it is quite the opposite, in my recent experience.
Overall, I give my LAN experience high grades and my NA flights a failing grade. Someone asked me recently about flying in the third world SA, as if it were some kind of danger or punishment, suggesting planes were old and dangerous, airports dirty and dangerous, and service sub-standard as compared to NA. Lets keep it a secret that it is quite the opposite, in my recent experience.
But thanks for the comprehensive update - pretty much mirrors my recent travels in North and South America this year. - with one exception: EZE. The security and immigration queues were horrific and even worse than MIA, taking about 1:30.
I wanted to go to CIX or PIU (and on to Mancora) when we were in Peru this year, but the gringo tax made it just not cost effective.
Dec 16, 2011, 9:51 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: US expat somewhere south of Valpo, Chilezuela
Programs: On the way to lowly LATAM Gold, AA, MiClub Lider
Posts: 853
Dec 16, 2011, 12:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 473
Totally agree with all this. For MIA-LIM, LAN completely blows AA out of the water in both J and Y. The J experience on the LAN 767 is much better than on the AA 767, and the less said about the AA 757 the better. And LIM airport has improved beyond recognition since the new terminal opened. The only negatives for me are the often slow immigration and the heavy handed customs where I always seem to get the red light.
The last time I departed from LIM, I was redirected from the Sumaq lounge to the adjacent "VIP" lounge as the former was too crowded. I can report that the Sumaq lounge is the better of the two.
The last time I departed from LIM, I was redirected from the Sumaq lounge to the adjacent "VIP" lounge as the former was too crowded. I can report that the Sumaq lounge is the better of the two.
Dec 17, 2011, 1:06 am
#7
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
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I had a majorly sucky arrival at LIM two nights ago, I mistakenly planned a flight landing in the witching hour.
90 mins to get through immigration and only half of the desks were manned.
In the "sucky immigration league" that puts LIM right up there with IAH
It also meant that bags had been pullled off the belts, the belts only have space for two flights on their screens so nobody could find which pile of bags was from our BOG flight.
LIM is hot on the heels of MIA Concourse D for the "Dude where is my bag?" award
And would it really be too much trouble to throw a bit of gravel in the potholes on the taxiways? I think LIM is the bumpiest airport I have ever been to.
As for SA vs NA, although LAN didn't lose your bags, when they do lose your bags they absolutely don't give a damn. Unless you have a few spare weeks to waste hounding them, you probably won't see them every again
90 mins to get through immigration and only half of the desks were manned.
In the "sucky immigration league" that puts LIM right up there with IAH
It also meant that bags had been pullled off the belts, the belts only have space for two flights on their screens so nobody could find which pile of bags was from our BOG flight.
LIM is hot on the heels of MIA Concourse D for the "Dude where is my bag?" award
And would it really be too much trouble to throw a bit of gravel in the potholes on the taxiways? I think LIM is the bumpiest airport I have ever been to.
As for SA vs NA, although LAN didn't lose your bags, when they do lose your bags they absolutely don't give a damn. Unless you have a few spare weeks to waste hounding them, you probably won't see them every again
Dec 17, 2011, 9:39 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
LIM is hot on the heels of MIA Concourse D for the "Dude where is my bag?" award
And would it really be too much trouble to throw a bit of gravel in the potholes on the taxiways? I think LIM is the bumpiest airport I have ever been to.
As for SA vs NA, although LAN didn't lose your bags, when they do lose your bags they absolutely don't give a damn. Unless you have a few spare weeks to waste hounding them, you probably won't see them every again
I will be looking for an LAX-SCL award with AA miles soon to catch a couple of cruises in SA.
1 If connencting in LIM, I hope I don't have to go through customs in transit
2 More importantly, if they "lose" our bags in transfer we would be up sh*t creek for 2 cruises.
I am thinking of flying through DFW or MIA (not much better, I know) and avoiding LIM altogether.
Am I being unreasonable?
Dec 17, 2011, 9:47 am
#9
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
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This is bad news for me.
I will be looking for an LAX-SCL award with AA miles soon to catch a couple of cruises in SA.
1 If connencting in LIM, I hope I don't have to go through customs in transit
2 More importantly, if they "lose" our bags in transfer we would be up sh*t creek for 2 cruises.
I am thinking of flying through DFW or MIA (not much better, I know) and avoiding LIM altogether.
Am I being unreasonable?
I will be looking for an LAX-SCL award with AA miles soon to catch a couple of cruises in SA.
1 If connencting in LIM, I hope I don't have to go through customs in transit
2 More importantly, if they "lose" our bags in transfer we would be up sh*t creek for 2 cruises.
I am thinking of flying through DFW or MIA (not much better, I know) and avoiding LIM altogether.
Am I being unreasonable?
Yes though as a general rule if LAN loses your bag you are screwed. Much better to have AA lose your bags.
Saying that I doubt LAN would lose your bags on a straightforward connection via LIM
Dec 17, 2011, 9:56 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
I am saying the bags weren't lost, they were removed from a belt and there was no indication of where they were. Same as has happened to me a few times in Miami.
Yes though as a general rule if LAN loses your bag you are screwed. Much better to have AA lose your bags.
Saying that I doubt LAN would lose your bags on a straightforward connection via LIM
Yes though as a general rule if LAN loses your bag you are screwed. Much better to have AA lose your bags.
Saying that I doubt LAN would lose your bags on a straightforward connection via LIM
Dec 17, 2011, 10:27 am
#11
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
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11 months ahead is a long way out to be looking for it. Unless someone chimes in with news of its demise, I would suspect the inventory has not been loaded yet
Dec 17, 2011, 10:37 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Why wouldn't just the LAN 603 not be loaded?
Besided, to even have a chance at 2 J awards, I have to look for it 11 months out. I actually need it for Dec 26th, 2012 - it's not bookable yet for that date, but I am just looking to see what I am up against.
As it is, I see J awards only on Nov 9th MIA-SCL with BA Avios but not with sAAver miles (online or with agent). I don't understand that one
Dec 17, 2011, 11:17 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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602/603 come and go, without a lot of predicted regularity. It probably has to do with aircraft availability as anything, and this far out, who knows.
LAN has never lost one of my bags. I know that when it happens, it will happen in a big way. But to date, nothing yet.
The LIM taxiways - well, the runway is undergoing a major renovation - hopefully the taxiways will also be repaired. Probably any heavy construction equipment is making things temporarily worse. As far as the airport itself, it was woefully under-built when remodeled, although its success probably exceeded anyone's predictions.
LAN has never lost one of my bags. I know that when it happens, it will happen in a big way. But to date, nothing yet.
The LIM taxiways - well, the runway is undergoing a major renovation - hopefully the taxiways will also be repaired. Probably any heavy construction equipment is making things temporarily worse. As far as the airport itself, it was woefully under-built when remodeled, although its success probably exceeded anyone's predictions.
Dec 17, 2011, 11:19 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Flew over the Equator 55 times last 3 years
Programs: LANPASS Comodoro (Emerald), others
Posts: 2,957
This is bad news for me.
I will be looking for an LAX-SCL award with AA miles soon to catch a couple of cruises in SA.
1 If connencting in LIM, I hope I don't have to go through customs in transit
2 More importantly, if they "lose" our bags in transfer we would be up sh*t creek for 2 cruises.
I am thinking of flying through DFW or MIA (not much better, I know) and avoiding LIM altogether.
Am I being unreasonable?
I will be looking for an LAX-SCL award with AA miles soon to catch a couple of cruises in SA.
1 If connencting in LIM, I hope I don't have to go through customs in transit
2 More importantly, if they "lose" our bags in transfer we would be up sh*t creek for 2 cruises.
I am thinking of flying through DFW or MIA (not much better, I know) and avoiding LIM altogether.
Am I being unreasonable?
As well, IMHO lost luggage in LIM is not something I worry about, let alone change travel plans because of. Besides it happens to me more on NA flights!
No, you do not need to go thru Customs anyway. Someone might even correct me if you even leave the plane on some LAX-SCL flights?
Dec 17, 2011, 11:31 am
#15
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woaah Nelly... for one, the current problems reported are for peak times because of the airport construction causing bottlenecks. Construction is over at end of January so if not flying now to then, all will be back to normal.
As well, IMHO lost luggage in LIM is not something I worry about, let alone change travel plans because of. Besides it happens to me more on NA flights!
No, you do not need to go thru Customs anyway. Someone might even correct me if you even leave the plane on some LAX-SCL flights?
As well, IMHO lost luggage in LIM is not something I worry about, let alone change travel plans because of. Besides it happens to me more on NA flights!
No, you do not need to go thru Customs anyway. Someone might even correct me if you even leave the plane on some LAX-SCL flights?
Plus explain to us how come the runway repairs mean that only half the immigration desks can be manned.
Go and have a lie down and a Trujillana