YYC009

I understand LATAM is leaving oneworld at the end of the month but one can still book LATAM flights past then if I understand correctly. Is there any hope of booking a flight to MPN (Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands) on BA Avios points before LATAM leaves? I cannot seem to find any availability out of SCL/PUQ/GRU at all...

subject2load

I actually looked into this (albeit at relatively short notice) whilst in South America last month, but in the end just couldn’t make it work within my available time - not least because I had already squeezed in a trip to Easter Island.

There are, IIRC (?) once-weekly services to MPN from SCL (Saturday) and from GRU (Wednesday). You will struggle to find any avios availability for either of these.

Seem to recall that the GRU option is very reasonable in Y, but quite a scary price in J. If you’re keen to visit, a cash fare is almost certainly going to be your only realistic option.

our_kid

Hi - you will struggle to find any Avios availability at all from PUQ to MPN - it’s an expensive route at the best of times. If you can originate your travel in GRU the ticket pricing is quite reasonable and there’s a GRU-MPN direct too.

Such a beautiful place and do make sure you go out West Falkland too!

ad00am

I lived in the Falkland Islands for just over 2 years and looked into Avios availability between MPN and PUQ / SCL on a frequent basis. Was never successful in finding availability via BA.com. Not sure if I was unfortunate or whether LATAM even release award availability to BA..... Either way good luck, it's a unique place to visit.

corporate-wage-slave

I did look into this a few months ago, just after the Brazil service started. What I noticed was that LATAM's own system meant that PUQ-MPN would be unlikely to show up since LATAM's sliding scale system effectively parked it off into the "low but not the minimum" level of LATAM Points, thereby taking it off Avios. Same for GRU. I think I did find a single Córdoba flight on Avios (it was only a once a month service anyway). However I did find on Avios at least a few SCL-MPN services, thanks to LATAM's Married Segment issue just for once working in travellers' favour. I've had a look just now, and my feeling is that at the moment the LATAM end is down, which isn't unusual.

Going forward, anyone looking to do this is probably best to participate in LATAM Pass, at least in terms of getting a good discount on off peak services. LATAM is still indicating that it wants some sort of relationship with oneworld airlines, excluding AA, until at least September 2020. Clearly in the current conditions this is somewhat hypothetical.

kingstontoon

I was able to find award availability to / from MPN a year or two ago, but couldn't quite justifty spending a whole week in the Falklands (as lovely as I'm certain it will be). However, since the second flight came along, alowing potential 3-4 day visits, I've been unable to find anything. C'est la vie!

YYC009

Ok, thanks everyone for your help. I guess Avios just won't work but I did see reasonable fares GRU-MPN so if I decide to go that may be the way to purchase the ticket.

DominicB

I wish the second airport code ended in a Y!

HIDDY

LAN still fly RGL-MPN once a week as far as I know.

subject2load

I’m pretty sure the Rio Gallegos link is only a once-monthly add-on stop to the SCL route.
Likewise, there is also a link to Cordoba on the GRU service - but again, just once a month.

KVS

LATAM expects to continue to be a BAEC partner following its departure from *O on 01 May 2020:

www.LATAM.com/en_us/about-us/latam-delta-alliance/

our_kid

RGL is a strange stop - if you’re doing this ensure you get an exit stamp from Argentina. Personally I would recommend you fly from PUQ.

subject2load

Noted, thanks, should I ever have another try at a visit (which I’m fairly keen to do).

And whilst on the fascinating subject of the various flight / route options, it’s worth adding that - for UK-based folk - the MOD still run regular flights from RAF Brize Norton (Oxfordshire) to the Falklands, and tickets can be purchased by civilian travellers - although no First Class cabins AFAIK
I believe (?) there is a technical / refuel stop, during the long trek down, in Cape Verde,

nancypants

I want to do the air bridge from Brize Norton at some point, especially now LATAM is leaving. Maybe some kind of bizarre round trip?

subject2load

@ nancypants - something in the region of GBP 2000 for a return ticket, I believe. Certainly an unusual flight in all respects.