Short hair Francis

The Local Casino


Wasn’t the right day for the beach



And lastly was treated to this as the last stop at Viña del Mar

*I just saved my next airfare to Easter Island

And at 3:30pm, we made our way back to Santiago and the fog started to come back in



One more day to go to the Andes Mountain Range tomorrow, back in Santiago at 6pm at Parque Arauco.

As the day trip from the Andes Mountains was going to return me to the Hyatt around 6pm, I decided to check out early and have everything stored at the hotel prior to heading off to today’s excursion.

Today’s trip was up the Andes Mountain Range at Valle Nevado, as a Canadian, I thought the trip was a rip-off seeing we were given 4 hours up at the top.

As to how the rest of the day went, here you go, one advice for anyone else, if you want to go up to Valle Nevado, bring your own car for better time control and maybe a barf bag to anyone who can’t stand 37 hairpin turns to get up and down, each direction ^










Time to make some snow angel and for renting those overpriced snow pants






Part 15 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Welcome to Valle Nevado, where you get the authentic kettle experience






BTW, I wasn’t joking about the Kettle part, I mean cattle car lol


Would be fun to drive that Jeep Patriot right into the Ski Hills


Thankfully I made quick friends with 3 British girls studying in Med-School on today’s tour, so what else can you do for 4 hours at low spending rate, drinking!


And around 4pm, we and the whole tour made our way back down the mountains to Santiago
In the meanwhile, I’m gonna catch a snooze prior to another short red-eye…


Next Part
Part 16 – Those Crazy LANtinas, LA/AA J SCL – MIA – DFW – LGA

SFO777

More great pics Francis. Santiago looks very nice especially from the top of the mountain. We have to connect there at New Years and I think you convinced me to get there early and take a city tour before our flight. ^

Short hair Francis

Thanks SFO777, Santiago, it's a unique view, sadly just no funicular since it was in repairs that day.
I say hire a car and driver for the day is more than enough for you and Mrs. SFO777, if you have enough ground time, you might be able to sneak in Valparaiso to be honest but have to be one or the other.

Will get another part up later today but have travel coming up next week so might be slowing down significantly then.
SHF, say hello to the JAL New F Sky Suite

Short hair Francis

Part 16 – Those Crazy LANtinas, LA/AA J SCL – MIA – DFW – LGA


Jun 12, 2013 – Wednesday
LA 500/AA 7700 SCL – MIA 9:05pm – 5:50am(+1)[Jun 13] (763/J)
Jun 13, 2013 – Thursday
AA 1665 MIA – DFW 8:50am – 11:00am (763/F)
AA 732 DFW – LGA 12:25pm – 4:55pm (738/F)

With an arrival of 6pm back to the Grand Hyatt, I had booked a car-ish service for 6:30pm from the concierge to make sure I can catch the 9pm red-eye flight. I didn’t want to take any chances with Santiago traffic nor do I want to screw up my plans upcoming.
It took 40 Minutes for me to get to the airport.

Santiago Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport



*Signage was the same as YVR hehe

LAN Airlines Premium Check-In


*Was quite pack, 10 min wait but they did have 5-6 agents working at that hour to speed things up

You call it the Dreamliner, I call it the“Dream Come Alive or Die” plane

*Stay tuned to Part 34 for travels on the LOT Boeing 787-8

And with a priority security and immigration, the entire process from curb to lounge took about 40 mins, slowish but not horrible

Santiago de Chile LAN Airlines Neruda Business Class Lounge





As the lounge was moderately packed, I decided to check out the Admiral’s Club seeing I’m never in this part of the world

Santiago de Chile American Airlines Admiral’s Club






*Was this lounge from the John Wayne era?!? The décor is something even my grandma won’t use, eek!

As I found both lounge underwhelming, I went to the gate 11 rather early today at 8:15pm.

LAN Airlines Boeing 767-300



*21st flight, 58864 Miles flown since Apr 28
LAN Airlines 500
Sold as American Airlines 7700
Santiago de Chile to Miami Int’l
Scheduled - 9:05pm – 5:50am(+1)[Jun 13], 8 hr 45 min flight
[u]Delayed Departure – 9:08pm, Late Boarding Complete
On Time Arrival – 5:44am(+1)
Business Class, Seat 5C
Food – Dinner, Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 767-300 (30J/191Y New Configuration)


As the electronic boarding screen was still showing a previously departed AA flight, the gate crew resorted to more old school methods


It got fixed around 8:25pm



Part 16 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

And boarding started at 8:30pm with passengers with babies and Business Class passenger first. As I had not gotten the cabin photos I like on the outbound, I bolted past the strollers on the jetway.

LAN Airlines Boeing 767-300 New Business Class Cabin





I believe that was the pilot rest seat covered past the curtains


LAN Airlines Boeing 767-300 New Business Class Seat









Business Class Seat Amenities - Water Bottle Holder


Privacy Divider


Mesh for Personal items


Fold Out Drink Table


Extra cabinet for shoes


Thankfully not back in Coach today


Again, the Business Class seat is a bit narrow, but otherwise I like it, surface is quite good and firm enough for sleeping. I personally would choose row 2 above all others, over row 1, 3, 5. While the cabin is dark for the night, there are small walking lights at the top of the cabin. I noticed it quite a bit for my sleep, and please don’t ask me about mask, I can’t sleep with stuff attached to my face. Row 4 otherwise is missing a window.


Part 16 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

And during boarding, pre-departure beverage and snacks were handed out

The Last Pisco Sour in Chile

Door closed up 3 minutes late due to late boarding, a quick 5 min taxi to the runway and we were airborne by 9:20pm
8 Hour 12 Minutes back to Miami tonight





I decided to watch Easy A during Dinner



LA 500 Dinner

Appetizer
Garden Salad

Bocconcini Cheese with Grilled Vegetables and Pesto

Vegetable Soup with Jerusalem Artichoke Chips

Entrees
Wagyu Brisket in Gravy with Mashed Potatoes

Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli in Parmesan Cheese and Parsley Sauce

Mixed Greens with Smoked Salmon, Small Cucumbers, Cottage Cheese, and Endive

Dessert
Selection of Gourmet Cheeses
Haagen Dazs Ice Cream
Homemade Dulce de Leche Flan
Fresh Seasonal Fruit

Express Dinner
This option if offered for passengers who would like more time to rest.
Please select one appetizer or entrée and one dessert. Your meal also will include a garden salad and a selection of gourmet cheeses

Service was very slow, was 45 minutes past as airborne prior to getting any drinks

Drink Service Cart


Bread Basket


Appetizer Set


Soup, Vegetable Soup with Jerusalem Artichoke Chips


Garden Salad


Main Course, Wagyu Brisket in Gravy with Mashed Potatoes


Mini Cheese Plate


Dessert #1, Homemade Dulce de Leche Flan


Dessert #2, Haagan Dazs Ice Cream

*LAN only allows 1 selection of dessert but since somebody skips theirs’, I get an extra Ice Cream.

Meal was overall good, but I am still not liking this Appetizer or Soup, and Dessert vs. Fruit deal which Qantas also does. Just feels it cheapens the product out. And while the FA took their sweet time to start serving the meals, they finished the entire service in 45 Minute, nice comeback.

As it was now 11:20pm and I had a full day going up to Valle Nevado, it was time for some sleeping.

God, these red-eyes aren’t long enough says this TPAC flier



Turndown Water Service



Part 16 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Very Comfy duvet


Mysteriously, I woke up 3 hours later or 2am to be exact over Ecuador, ugh why


And like always, I wanted to munch on something except there was none to be found in these red-eye service, so took close to 1 hour to get back to sleep


And while I managed to get back to sleep at around 3:15am, 2 2/5 hrs out from MIA.
Future troubles lie ahead…


LA 500 Breakfast
Please choose from the following options
Cold Express Breakfast: To Maximize your rest, this option will be served 40 Minutes before landing
Full Breakfast: Please complete the pre-order form, which will be collected by the flight attendant

Breakfast Form


Guess the FA was pulling a rabbit out of hat, I had previously requested for the Full Breakfast, and wake-up service for the meal.
One problem, I didn’t expect to get a full breaky dropped in front of me, 35 minutes out from Miami.

God Dang Crazy LANtinas indeed, stealing the motto from jfkeze!!!





Somehow I devour the entire meal in 10 minutes, I’m such a food disposal unit sometimes

And now about 25 Minutes out, we started our descent


Both Lavatory were occupied while I need to get changed, I did not want to walk in the concourse in my jammies. Finally got changed just about 10 minutes out.

I don’t know if its great service or insanity but I did manage to get changed, and stored away all my stuff just around final approach.
Those Crazy LANtinas sure got me this time!!!

And we were right on time back into MIA, 5:44am or 5 mins early from STA. No lines at the MIA CBP, hurray!
Then the sad walk of 20 Minutes back over to MIA North or otherwise American Airlines Terminal. So from getting off the plane, past the CBP to the AA counter took me 30 minutes, thank god I don’t fly South America trips ever.

Miami International Airport North Terminal


I took the usual precaution and actually picked up an AA version of the bp just to be on the safe side


After another massage, god I need to slow down the pace a little, I made my way to the Gate D30 Admirals Club, I want to shower after all this very long day

Miami International American Airlines Gate D30 Admirals Club







Part 16 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

And at 7:50am, I made my way from the D30 club to you guess it, this time D3.


American Airlines Boeing 767-300



*22nd flight, 59983 Miles flown since Apr 28
American Airlines 1665
Miami Int’l to Dallas Ft. Worth
Scheduled - 8:50am – 11:00am, 3 hr 10 mins flight
Delayed Departure – 8:45am, 9:25am, Ground Return to Gate due to Oil Pump Failure
Delayed Arrival – 11:29am
First Class, Seat 5B
Food – Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 767-300 (30J/21Y+/167Y Old Business Config)



Boarding started about 35 Minutes out at 8:15am

American Airlines Boeing 767-300 Business Class Cabin



American Airlines Boeing 767-300 Business Class Seat







Part 16 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

After flying LAN Business product and compared to American, it really makes you appreciate Codeshare and LAN that much more.

Boarding finished up at 8:45am, door closed and flight time today was 2 Hour 27 Minutes to Dallas Ft. Worth


And just as we were taxiing out, great we slowed down during taxiing and went straight to D22


One of the fuel pump was having an issue, luckily we don’t need all the fuel dumps for the flight but still needed the mechanic to sign it off first.

In the meanwhile, I chased down the purser seeing we had no air-conditiooning while on the ground in Miami in June, yuck


Overall the delay wasn’t horrible, door were re-closed at 9:25am, now waited another 10 minutes for a pushback truck. Ugh….

And finally airborne at 9:50am, scheduled to land at 11:13am now, in the meanwhile, I took a bit of sleep.

AA 1665 Breakfast
Starter
Fruit Plate

Main Course
Breakfast Skillet
Scrambled Eggs with Pepper Jack Cheese, Bell peppers, Turkey Bacon, Corn and Black Beans and Roasted Red-Skin Potatoes

Cereal with Milk and Fresh Fruit


Even the purser commented how did I mysteriously woke up in the meal service, I looked passed out cold previously, guess food is the trick, bahaha.






As I had moved from YYZ back to HKG in the middle of 2012, my share of domestic AA First has gone down significantly, very happy to see the improvement in mid-con catering.

Passed New Orleans now


And around 10:55am, we made our descent into Dallas



AA 1665 was parked at D22 at 11:29am


The LGA flight was leaving from D18, finally caught one break today.

Seeing AA 732 was oversold, I inquired about a bump provided I can be protected on a First seat, the agent was 1) unwilling to re-accommodate in F and 2) was only willing to offer 300 dollars, I declined seeing it really wasn’t worth it in my opinion as I needed to be in Albany tonight, and there was a major storm system supposed to go through the NY Metro tonight. Boarding commenced shortly after.


American Airlines Boeing 737-800



*23rd flight, 61369 Miles flown since Apr 28
American Airlines 732
Dallas Ft. Worth to New York LaGuardia
Scheduled - 12:25pm – 4:55pm, 3 hr 30 mins flight
Delayed Departure – 12:36pm, ATC Hold at Gate due New York Destination Weather
Delayed Arrival – 5:24pm
First Class, Seat 4E
Food – Lunch
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/56Y+/78Y Configuration “Non-BSI”)



Feel sorry for the #48th guy on the list


American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Refurbished First Class Cabin

*Not entirely sure how many of the old F is still around, the ex-ORD based ones.

American Airlines Boeing 737-800 First Class Seat

*I know other complain about back support, but 40 inch pitch on domestic is great

The FA also did an open bar PDB


Door were held open due to LGA Air Traffic Control and door were not closed until 12:36pm.

We finally pushback back around 12:50pm making a long taxi to Runway 35L, and finally airborne at 1:05pm, for a yes 3 Hours 11 Minutes flight to LaGuardia, way longer than usual


AA 732 Lunch

Main Course
Adobo Chicken
Served with loaded mashed potatoes and a corn and red pepper sauté

Buffalo Chicken Salad
Chilled Chicken Slices on BBQ Sauce served on Leafy Greens

Dessert
Macadamia Nut or Chocolate Chip Cookie


I spoke too soon about the AA catering, can we please not go back to the “Chicken or Chicken” Ordeal AGAIN.
Seems like chicken was cheap in June





Part 16 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

One more drink prior to landing


Flight was mostly smooth for the 1st Two Hour then progressively gotten worse, and by the time we were around Western PA, seems like we were bouncing all over the place.


With the big weather system coming into New York, we finally landed at 5:15pm coming in onto Runway 4, now the problem of getting to the gate with the apron congestion trying to leave town.



And we finally got into the gate at 5:24pm, where is that rental car, I still need to get to Albany tonight.


Extra Note - If I don't post a part or respond very slowly to any reply, it's because I'm travelling alot this upcoming week
Sorry in Advance


Next Part
Part 17 – 7 States Road-Trip in 3.5 Days, Upstate NY and Burlington, VT

opushomes

Having just returned yesterday from Cape Town via Dubai and San Francisco to Portland , even in business it is tiring. You commented on the longest flight on SQ being eliminated. Does this leave DXB-LAX as the longest scheduled flight?

Glad that you enjoyed LAN, looks like things have not changed much in the last 7 years in respect to service and corporate attitude. You did miss the 3rd lounge in Santiago, but my recollection was that the AA one was the pick of the litter.

If you are collecting bad lounges, try the Alaska one in SFO-one of the worst that I have encountered-it is worse than the one in Pusan which at least is large while lacking in amenities.

Enjoy it while you are young, once you are over 60. your capacity to deal with aircraft seats will diminish. Great report, keep it coming.

Short hair Francis

Tired Yet, currently definitely
First a nice "Hafa Adai" to you
3 hrs of sleep the night prior + Flying UA E- HKG-GUM + 1/2 day auto-touring the South Side of Guam, was planning to tan on the beach the rest of the day.
Nix that, passed out cold for the remaining half of the day on the hotel bed.
Even slept through 2 Iphone alarms

Yep SIN-LAX and SIN-EWR are both goners.
Actually DFW-SYD on the QF Boeing 747-400ER is the next highest on the list.
LAN service wise is ok, attitude can be a bit "employee first" mentality now that you mentioned it.
Strangely you brought it up first, I first try to got to the LAN Mistral Lounge when I went airside that night, left me pretty confused how LA Business + AA Emerald didn't qualify for a lounge.
Hence the Neruda and the very old decor Admiral's Club

Can't come up with a bad lounge right now, I try to wipe them clean from the memory.

I'm not even halfway to 60 and I know my body is not reacting the same when I was 17 vs. currently.
Definitely remembering the years of being a college freshman and doing the stupidest stuff possible, drinking, eating, fooling around, pushing yourself to the limit.
Can't do 75% of what I can before

As Churchill will say "20 - 25 y.o, those were the days"
And I am finding a lot of truth on that already

SeamasterLux

Not sure the human body is made to survive through so many flights in such a short time frame in the first place...

mtkeller

And that's actually cheating a little bit, since they can't fly DFW-SYD return without a stop in BNE (planned) or AKL (apparently frequent diversion when even BNE is too far). DL's ATL-JNB is the longest that will operate non-stop in both directions.