CO First Class to S America
 

I'm looking to book a flight from ANC or LAX (depending on where I am) to either SCL (Santiago, Chile) or AEP (Buenos Aires, Argentina) on Continental's first class. (I have more than enough AS miles to cover a first class Continental flight to South America. I also have enough for Lan Chile.)

I've seen lots of photos of BA, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, United, and other airlines' first classes, but I can't find photos of Continental's first class.

I've heard good things about Continental's service and the quality of their planes, but I haven't heard or seen anything specific about their first class. How does it compare to other airlines' first classes--are there flat beds, private suites, personal video monitors, etc.? Or is it more like US domestic first class? (Yuck!)

What kind of planes does CO fly between IAH and SCL or AEP (I'm assuming I'd be routed through IAH, since that's their main hub and what most others end up doing, from what I hear)? Any details anyone can give me would be appreciated.

I've heard that LAN Chile's first class consists of a single row...that makes me leery to think of wasting all of those miles on a less-than-premium experience. How does LAN's first cabin compare to Continental's? Which should I pick? (CO's cheaper--only 75,000 vs. LAN's 125,000 or so: I forget and don't feel like looking it up now.)

Oh, and if anyone can find pics of CO's first class...let me know!

Jackal

Sorry kiddo, but you can't get there from here on Continental Airlines. :(

Sa
 

Just so you know, brazil is the only flight to South America that offers BuisnessFirst which is better than Latin First. As far as convinience, you might want to try Copa airlines out of LAX (LAX-PTY-SCL). There service is similar to CO and I think CO owns some of copa. I also believe that the flight going south is a red-eye departure out of LAX. If that doesnt work than DL is your other option through ATL.

your only options are to take COPA from lax or somehow get to iah and then take CO to panama city and then COPA southward.

either way, all flights on either airline will use aircraft configured with domestic FC seats. COPA's aircraft are identical to CO's as CO owns approx 49% of COPA (i think?).

best bet would be to get to LAX and go from there.

here are some pics of CO/COPA's FC

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/232663/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/076188/M/

If you fly COPA from LAX - PTY, you'll be on a 737 and the FC cabin is a domestic configuration. No flat beds, no IFE, no private suites. Ditto if you fly Continental through IAH and connect to PTY and beyond on COPA.

But you get what you pay for. COPA gives free upgrades through OnePass on all their SA destinations - no fees, no miles. And I'm 12 for 12 on COPA upgrades this year - they really take care of their Elites.

One more note: COPA flies to EZE, not AEP in BA, if that makes any difference.

Wow, OK, so they lie when AS's Web site says, "CO to South America." It's really COPA? (See http://www.alaskaair.com/mileageplan/AwardsSAmerica.asp for the award chart.)

No wonder it's 25-50,000 miles cheaper than everyone else...

Is LAN any good, then? What airline would you recommend? Looks like Delta and American also go there (unless they're lying about that, too.) Someone mentioned Brazil--They're not listed as partners with AS.

I also have enough United miles to go coach...should I do that and save my AS miles for a whizz-bang first trip on BA to Australia (wrong way around the world and REALLY get my miles' worth)? Or heck, I found a ticket from LAX sub-$1000--should I just buy it and EARN MORE miles? (When am I ever going to USE my miles?!)

No Lie, its a Code-share It didnt say CO metal did it. same out of EWR to LHR. You can go with CO but its a code-share on Virgin. CO Only flies into LGW. As is the case with many of the Alliances. The main part is that CO can get you there, maybe not on their metal or the type of 1st you want, but its better than not being able to get you there or anywhere.IMO

I don't know if they're lying. CO does fly to SA, as does COPA. From IAH to PTY it's CO metal, as it is from EWR to PTY. But it's COPA metal from LAX and JFK to PTY. And all are cross-code-shared.

Delta does go there - I think they fly non-stop to Santiago - but from Atlanta, not the most direct route from the West Coast. I'd saqy great, if you want to parlay it into a mileage run, but since you'll be on an award ticket. . .

Based on that chart, I'd go LAN to SCL or EZE, or see if you can get a CO BF seat to GIG. Your experience on LAN should be very good.

i believe LAN won S. american airline of the year on the OAG awards. i have heard very good things about them. id try them, if you can. they may even have true business class and seats compared to CO/COPA's traditional domestic FC seats.

LAN is great!
 

In my experience, LAN is superior to any U.S. airline. I've only used LAN business class but was impressed. Not as roomy as some, including CO's business/first -- but lounges, food & service first rate. LAN first is only one row and offers a flat bed-style seat. Looked nice ... better than CO's business/first.