So I'm booked on Aerolineas out of Aeroparque (first time flying Aerolineas in years -- no other viable alternative this time). I saw on my e-ticket receipt that I was limited to 15 kilos of luggage. That seemed low, so I called Aerolineas. The agent confirmed that was their checked bag limit, and I'm apparently also allowed to bring 5 kilos of hand luggage. The "good news," such that it is, is that the extra baggage charge seems to be about US$1 per kilo, so if you don't squeak in, it's not a huge fee.

These rules do suggest a few limitations, though. First, I guess this means no wine buying until I'm back in BA and leaving the country, because wine would likely take me over the 15 kilo limit. Second, it seems like I'll have no choice but to check my carry-on bag, because there's no way it's going to be under 5 kilos.

Are both these assumptions true? Will Aerolineas actually enforce these weight limits?

Second, I asked about carry-on liquids and gels (less important if I have to check bags, I suppose). The Aerolineas website suggests absolutely no liquids or gels, but the rez agent indicated they are allowed under the US's "plastic bag" rules. Is that true? She also indicated that I COULD bring some bottled water thru security. True?

Next, we discussed on-line check-in. It seemed like it did sort-of exist (maybe), but only if you have no bags. True?

Finally, I asked about the need to reconfirm, and the agent said it was a good idea to do so "a day or two before departure." Is that actually the right time to call? I've heard that there are some reliability issues with Aerolineas -- and, actually, I'm flying their partner Austral. Do they actually change/cancel flights a day or two in advance, or do "the problems" happen on the day of departure? And would it be wise to call before leaving for the airport -- is there "real time" flight departure info available?

Thanks. And any other tips for making my Aeroparque experience more pleasant/bearable would be appreciated.

My experiences are from late August this year, so take them at face value...

I can't tell you if Aerolineas (Austral) will enforce any weight limit. Like anything else, if it is a few kilos over, I don't think they would even worry about it. But like you said, it is cheap even if they do charge you.

Security at the national airports was very easy to manuever through. No shoes off and I didn't pull out my baggie once. The lines at AEP, USH, Iguazu and Calafate moved quickly.

If you are flying in the afternoon, there is a better than average chance that your flight will be delayed (in my experience) due to limited aircraft that seem to gradually fall behind schedule as the day went on.

I didn't call and reconfirm any of my flights, and had no issues whatsoever with any of my reservations. That may or may not be within your comfort factor. Be prepared to pay the airport tax before heading to security. They will stamp your boarding card.

Aeroparque is a pretty easy airport experience. There is a nice little restaurant airside where you can grab a bite and a Quilmes for a good price and wait for your flight.

Dont worry about the weight limits, enforcement of the allowances is very lax. Also, for domestic flights Ive never heard that bottled water and liquids were an issue. Ive never reconfirmed a flight, and never heard that AR wants you to do so. Do be ready to face delays.... Aerolineas and on-time just dont go well together.

Thanks. I usually travel with a standard-size carry-on (21 inch), and perhaps a small backpack. I would never check such luggage travelling within the United States. But with the 5 kilo limit, I assume Aerolineas would not let me carry both of them on an internal flight, even with their loose enforcement of the restrictions?

My experience with Aerolineas is that I have never reconfirmed and never had a problem with that. Flights were on time.

I was charged extra baggage cost on checked baggage but it was cheap.

My carry on was never weighed so I wouldn't take the 5 kg seriously.

While enforcement of weight limits & other rules is rather lax, what continues to be the norm is not being on time.... but, considering there are very limited options to fly domestically in Argentina, the passenger has no real options if LAN does not serve the intended destination.

A survey earlier this year rated Aerolineas/Austral as one of the worst airlines worldwide (of 90 surveyed) for on-time performance:

http://www.clarin.com/diario/2007/11...ad/s-03215.htm

When there is no choice but to book Aerolineas, make sure that you don't have tight connections especially if they are on separate PNRs.

John

I have usually not had a problem with carry-on baggage - sometimes indeed taking two pieces (one definitely over 5kg, the other "small"). I don't remember ever having them weigh my carry-on. Or, if so, it was only under the circumstances I'll elaborate below...

Checked baggage routinely gets weighed and you will pay a modest fee if it's over. The one exception to the carry-on getting weighed is if you make a fuss about the checked baggage fee (as I foolishly did the first time I encountered it) or say, "fine, I'll take a few kilos out of my suitcase" and proceed to try to lighten your suitcase in front of them (which a lot of other international carriers have suggested I do if I'm not far over the weight limit). For some agents, that's an invitation to have your carry-on weighed, in which case you're bound to end up paying even more in the end.

Oh, I've had a bad experience with lost luggage on AR as well (bag went missing permanently - no ability for them to trace anything or tell me anything other than "wait" and then "it's gone"), particularly during busy travel periods, so if you can avoid checking, I'd advise it. My advice: put as much weight into "reasonable looking" carry-ons and don't bring attention to your carry-on(s) when you check-in. If you still have to check a bag, and it still ends up over limit, just pay the fee quietly and carry on.

I have segments AEP to Calafate and a return, which are both the LAST flights of the day. I booked it that way because I have a same-day arrival on MX at EZE and wanted a generous (5.5 hours) time between the EZE arrival and the AEP departure in case MX arrives late. The later Aerolineas flights were much cheaper, too.

So, if I'm at the airport (either AEP or Calafate) in time for an earlier flight, and there is space, does Aerolineas allow me to take it only by forfeiting the non-refundable later flight?

I understand later flights are often delayed, but are they canceled entirely?
Later the same day is not a problem, but "next-day" means losing the cost of the hotel room at the scheduled destination.

Thanks for the tips, and I'll now add my experience.

First, as everyone knows, flying Aerolineas is not a joy. That said, my experience was OK.

I was surprised by the long check-in lines at Aeroparque (although the fact that it was a Sunday afternoon, 3 pm flight probably contributed). It took about a half hour to get to an agent. After that, it was easy. Security reminds me of America pre-9/11. No taking off of jackets or shoes, and a more cursory review of carry-on baggage. You don't take your liquids out, and nobody questioned my water bottle.

Carry-on bags weren't weighed, and I did see one or two people with small roller suitcases on board -- obviously well in excess of 5 kg! Most folks check everything bigger than a briefcase. That said, I also saw one family with 3 cases of carry-on wine! Not sure how they got that on board, but as a foreigner, you don't ask too many questions.

Aerolineas' departure times seem "flexible." Not much hustling, and no updating of information. My outbound wound up about an hour late, but my return only about 20 minutes. The wait for luggage at Aeroparque seemed ridiculously long (like a half hour), but not much you can do about it.

Although both my flights were supposedly operated by Austral, I had Aerolineas aircraft on both occasions (MD-80s). The first plane had the least legroom I've ever seen on a jet: I'm not even quite 6 feet, and my knees wouldn't fit in a "normal" position. The return flight has slightly more legroom. Each 3 hour flight had a modest cold plate and beverages, including free wine and beer.

It would be great to have more competition, but it sure beat a long distance bus ride.

I got stuck in MVD overnight last year, when AR canceled the last flight back to AEP. I was okay with that. However, I wasn't okay with the fact that AR didn't bother protecting any of us on the next day's flight, which turned out to be full. I figured there was something wrong when I saw a mob of people yelling at the agents the next day

Stick to LAN if you can. I flew them to IGR, and both the service and plane interior were loads better than AR.