RobertS975

I suspect that for many of us Deltamaniacs, the addition of AR into ST effective today will present more MQM travel earning opportunities than some of the more recent ST airline additions (like Saudia).

Onward travel from EZE to places like Bariloche, Mendoza, Ushaia will make for some potentially interesting trips. One now has the ability to hit the world class Iguassu Falls when traveling between GRU/GIG and EZE all while earning MQMs with GOL on the Brazilian side.

South American itineraries can now include a DL flight to EZE, onward flights on AR to places like SCL, LIM or BOG and home again on a DL flight. AR serves the USA with flights to MIA and JFK. (I would expect to see DL codeshare on these flights pronto.)

And for the really adventurous RTW Skyteam itinerary, the AR flight from EZE to SYD opens up another southern hemisphere option.

For the first time in a couple of years, I am personally excited about a new ST carrier. It is one that I can actually envision using!

BringBackTWA

Here is a link for anyone interested:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...morrow-375844/

mtkeller

Now we just have to wait and see when DL updates the partners page to move AR into the SkyTeam section and reflect MQM earning. I wonder if the update will include finally acknowledging SV and ME, or if DL will continue to deny the existence of two SkyTeam partners.

UA Fan

Does AR charge YQ?

mtkeller

Considering that there is neither YQ nor YR charged on the revenue fares I've checked, I suspect that redemptions will be clear of it for the time being. They are using an embedded Q surcharge like KE used to do, so it's possible that they could do it in the future, but it seems South American carriers generally don't break out fuel surcharges.

MSPeconomist

Folks should be aware that AR doesn't have a good reputation for service. YMMV.

Also, at least for now, DL and AR seem to use different terminals at EZE, so you might have to pay the $160 one-time for ten years entry fee if connecting through Argentina. It's not clear whether you can check bags through and do airside transit without going through immigration. Certainly you do need to pay if connecting through the other (domestic) airport in Buenos Aires.

TrojanTraveler

Or reliability. Hopefully Skyteam will help them improve.

mtkeller

TIMATIC reports:


My understanding at EZE is that if you have an onward connection to a third country (under 24 hours) you can leave the airport without paying the fee.

MSPeconomist

The rule officially says transit without visa. The $160 reciprocity fee is not considered to be a visa. USA citizens ordinarily don't need visas for Argentina, unlike Brazil.

geeprice

While AA has a bad reputation for service, they have had a historically good safety record, however just last month I was advised by a friend who works for the argentine equivalent of the FAA as an inspector to stay away from AA as there is a lot of issues with them as of late, it is my understanding that there is a lot of pressure on the aviation inspectors to let AA slide on compliance issues because of the goverment ownership.

The customer service issues alone are enough to make AA my last choice to begin with, but knowing what I do about the current Kirchner goverment, and the people that they have put in charge of AA. I wouldnt put anything past them from fake parts to forged maintenance records, coupled with the warning I was given, I would walk first before I flew AA.

Frinkiac7

Despite my DL loyalty and preference, I can't abide a state-run, stripped-down airline with a horrible safety record and service reputation. I will continue to fly LAN. It's been a sad and scary story watching Aerolineas plunge even further under President CFK...not like they were ever world-class.

Aerolineas was a tripe airline even before nationalization, but the horror stories coming out of there for the past few years are pretty frightening...there are some very sobering stories elsewhere on this board from former Aerolineas employees. The few times I flew Aerolineas in my life were so much below "standard" expectations for air travel that I swore them off long ago.

Makes you wonder how closely SkyTeam has vetted this decision.

Frinkiac7

We have a poster here on FT who is a former Aerolineas employee who also said that maintenance/safety records are routinely forged, essential equipment is looted from aircraft and sold for cash, etc. etc. I'll find that thread, it's pretty mind-blowing.

skchin

Not much fanfare I see.

seychellesbound

I like the idea of a stopover in EZE enroute to SYD.....interesting. @:-) And it may be a nifty way to avoid YQ charged by VA

mtkeller

Yeah, the Points Hoarder podcast suggested that one of the hosts had recently spent just under 24 hours in EZE without paying the reciprocity fee. It may be a YMMV thing, however.