EZE connection time question
 

I'm trying to connect from AR1893 USH-EZE 17:15-20:40 to UA818 EZE-IAH 22:05-05:15

Is 85 minutes enough connection time from domestic to international in EZE? As a small safety net, I've got GS on UA.

My other option is to take AR1897 USH-AEP 14:15-17:40. Which lands 3.5 hours earlier but requires an airport change.

I think 85min is not enough if you have to collect bags (most likely since USH is cold all year around) and cut off time to drop your bags is 60min, besides you have to do immigrations on your departure and it can take more than 30 minutes because many flights leave around that time frame.

Agree this seems too short - are you checking in any bags? Boarding usually closes at least 30 min before departure, leaving you with ca. 1 hour (assuming your USH flight is on time) to retrieve bags, walk to the international departures terminal (around 300 metres), check-in, clear security and immigration and walk to the gate. There is a "Fast Pass" queue for security (not sure if you're eligible, otherwise you can pre-book online for 20 USD) but no priority access for passport control.

As for the AEP-EZE transfer, this is also very tight but doable depending on traffic. I would normally allow at least 4 hours for this transfer.

Thanks for your replies. Of the two options, which one would you recommend? The 85 minutes intra EZE connection or the 3.5hr AEP-EZE connection?

I have a big duffle and a back pack. I don't expect to check these in for United, but US airlines are more lenient with larger carry ons.

Aerolineas Argentine may require me to check on the USH-EZE leg.

How is traffic in that direction on a weekday evening between 6-9pm?

Is the fast pass for business class travel?

I assume these are two separate tickets, right? (Does AR even interline with UA?)

If that's the case, and even if it's not, I would really not do this. It's very likely you're going to find yourself stuck in BA after a delayed arrival.

When I used to go to Patagonia for work, I would fly back to BA on a morning flight the day before my onward departure to the US. On one occasion, my early morning flight to BA became a late afternoon flight with no advance notice.

There are far too many elements outside your control to risk this connection, in my opinion.

6pm through 8pm is rush hour for leaving the city (your direction). I had no problem this week as it’s still early January (summer holidays) but during the year it is usually quite bad. I would estimate 1.5 hours just to be safe.

Fast Pass is not necessarily for Business Class – I travel AF and security staff won’t let me use it despite my boarding pass showing Sky Priority. I think other airlines may have it, but I’m not sure. Otherwise I know you can buy it for 20 USD from the EZE website.

As others mentioned, both transfers seem very tight. I would also book a flight out of USH in the morning just to play it safe.

​​​​​​​Yes, 2 separate tickets...

That said, it does appear they interline on some segments. On my way down, I am flying EWR-GRU-AEP on a UA ticket where the GRU-AEP leg is operated by AR.

The problem is, I'm returning from an Antarctica cruise that arrives earlier that morning between 7-8am. And after 9am (which connects through REL), there are no flights from USH to BA till the two evening flights I've listed above.

I will take the later, the one it arrived in AEP. Is rush hour, but with more than 3hs from AEP to EZE is more than enough, especially if you don't have to check bags at EZE. You can do OLCI with UA and have your BP ready.

I would take the later one into AEP, then check into a hotel to drop off your duffel and backpack. Go have a great dinner somewhere and fly home the next day.

Looks like you're not cruising with Ponant, not that it might make a difference?

No, sailing with Quark. What happened with Ponant?

Did you mean the earlier one to AEP?

As GS on UA, they'll go to great lengths to help me make my connection. Only concern is if the flight from USH-AEP gets delayed...

Not ideal, but this may be the backup plan. If I don't make the connection, I can always go the next day!

They provide/include flights between USH and EZE. I guess they can do that with the number of ships its operates out of USH (5+?) in season.

Yes, the later option in your first post, which is the earlier flight to AEP. If you are flying with AR, they are usually on time, even if their departure is delayed, they will arrive on time. Not sure when you flight is, but during high season UA will have an extra flight almost at midnight.

SCL/EZE/IGR
 

Hi everyone,

I am looking at connecting in EZE, arriving from SCL with KL in J at 12:45, leaving to IGR with AR in W at 15:55.

3 hours sounds good in theory, but this is Argentina...

How does this look to you?

Thank you.

Seems doable and SkyPriority helps, but some crucial information is missing. Are both flights on the same or different bookings? Are you checking in bags?

Sorry for the missing info. I tried to book it as one ticket, but so far have failed. AF website will not allow it. Even if it did, I would have to clear customs at EZE, wouldn't I?

This is the last flight to IGR. The next one departs from AEP.

So: 2 bookings with checked luggage.

You get there after peak arrivals time (all US flights land between 9am and noon). Immigration is a lottery but has gotten better over the years, customs should be straightforward.

Your main bottleneck, though, could be baggage reclaim, which can take an awful lot of time at EZE (30 minutes or more until the first bags are put on the belt, and Skypriority tags are customarily ignored). The fact that you’re flying KL should help you – less bags to offload, provided most pax continue to AMS, of course.

After customs you’ll need to leave the terminal and walk 10 minutes to Terminal C which is used for domestic flights. AR’s cut-off check in time used to be (still is?) 50 minutes before departure and you can use the SkyP for bag drop off. Security for domestic flights is a non-issue.

My instinct tell me this is a bit tight, but provided KL is on time it’s doable. I asked if you were on a single booking because then AR would be forced to pay for a hotel if you don’t make it. Otherwise they’re usually quite liberal with rebooking for the next flight but won’t open the wallet for accommodation.

Maybe worth calling AF to check if they can do a single booking? The Plat Line has done marvels for me in the past.

There is no more "Terminal C" - just one main terminal building for departures with one direction for int'l departures (up escalators after check-in) or the other to national departures - don't know what that area looks like.

Thank you to both of you.

Is there Airside domestic to international connections at eze?

No. Everyone must go through security and exit passport control.

Dumb question, why would you exit passport control on a domestic flight? I am doing ush-eze on one ticket connecting to eze-gru on a separate ticket.

"Exit passport control," not exit "passport control."

I tried to figure out where to go when transfering between flights in EZE. Last time I arrived in EZE was April 2022, so before the new terminal was introduced.
When looking at some of the youtube videos that show arrival at EZE, I am a little bit puzzled.
After the jetbridge, there is basically just one direction for all arriving passenger going towards passport control. Before entering the passport control hall (foreignes go left, argentinos go right), there is the sign for transfer connections (circled in red):
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e5d5190576.png

What puzzles me is that this sign directs you up the three escalators on the left side of the picture, however, these are in my view the escalators you come down when arriving internationally?!
When coming down these escalators, there is a sign on the left, guiding connecting passengers to the left:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4b563d8241.png

Does that mean the connecting passengers need to use the stairs to the very left (when looking downwards) of the three escalators to a mezzanine level (where the red X is)?
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cac38de367.png

Thanks for guiding me through. When I expect to have a very thight connection, I am happy to know exactly to go beforehand.

Bumping this thread. If anyone has guidance re. where the entrance for connecting pax in EZE, thanks for sharing.