How busy are SCL-IPC flights?
 

I have a OWE5 booked starting September (with South America as one of the continents) and my TA has allocated me two dummy dates for flights SCL-IPC and IPC-SCL.

When I come to actually change these dates, am I going to have a problem getting a reservation in D, given that LanChile only flies to IPC twice a week? I would like to avoid being held up in SCL for a flight out or worse, stuck on Easter Island for weeks on end!

Your best option is to take a look somewhere like http://flyaow.com/classamex.htm and check the dates you're interested in and see how they look. Should give you some indication of what to expect anyway.

The OWE fare rules state that the definition of South America excludes Easter Island, falling short of stipulating that IPC can't be done on a ONE; you may want to ask your TA to double check the validity of this leg.

Not sure where you got that info...AFAIK IPC has always been included in the South America continent, and has always been a valid OWE stop.

Mrs og and I spent a week on IPC. No real worries about that - just pace yourself and get into the mood of the place. Plenty to do, just don't rush it. A different local restaurant each night and all that.... Relax. Its a holiday after all! We were so sad for those unforunate souls which went through IPC in transit or just got the next flight out.

BUT, the flights (PPT-IPC-SCL and v/v) were FULL. Very FULL (southern summer). Not sure about the pointy end, but the back of the bus was chockers.

I definately was able to include IPC on a OWE last year.

I hope this hasn't changed.

Thanks, og. I'm really looking forward to IPC, but I might have to be in constant contact with the airline to make sure I don't get stuck waiting in SCL for available flights.

I did SCL-IPC yesterday (in economy on OWE5 M class ticket),
This is the low season for IPC. Flight was 85% full. As a guess 80% off pax were going to Papatee, 20% got off at IPC.

[This message has been edited by Mwenenzi (edited 06-30-2003).]

You would also be in economy if traveling on an A class or D class ticket, thanks to the latest OWE rule changes (all domestic chile flights are only in economy, regardless of fare paid, on OWE tickets on LA). I am boycotting LA in protest of this ridiculous policy (called fraud and theft in other more civilized countries -- as it is retroactive to tickets issued prior to the rule existing). So I can only fly to SCL on AA metal, LA cannot get a penny of revenue from me!

My research [old BA and QF rules] shows that this "rule" has been in place since at least late 2001 for LA/LP/EI/AY domestic flights. However, I flew in D on a AONE5 fare basis ticket SCL-IPC-SCL in April of 2002. I believe PresRDC did the same thing a month earlier.

I'm guessing here but it looks like if you can get a rez and get ticketed in D you'll fly there. My rez was processed through and ticketed by the AA RTW desk. Perhaps they are not familiar with this ridiculous rule.

I'd be interested in finding out if anyone else has done the SCL-IPC-SCL run recently on other than a MONE* fare basis ticket and in what class they flew.

I did SCL-IPC about 6 weeks ago on a RTW in F - no problems. Both flights where almost full.

BTW: If you need a great tour guide in IPC (he can also help with the hotel selection - we where staying at the Hotel Iorana - not too happy there, away from town, horrible food, cheap furniture etc.) then contact Victor Ika. He is the grandson of the last king of easter island and one of the best tourgiudes we ever had.
www.ikatour.cl
[email protected]

Thanks for the info, I'll make sure I go on the tour (and avoid the Iorana!)

LA has essentially moved to a ONE CLASS domestic service - this is true even on 2 cabin planes with a J cabin - it will either stay empty or seats given to certain preferred passengers but with a Y service. In fact, even on the SCL/IPC routing a US-based travel agent couldn't even sell you a J seat (although there are J seats w/J service on this route).

Accordingly, its not fraud - its them not selling you a product that does not exist - and letting you know in advance. You cannot buy a front cabin ticket in Chile for travel within Chile at any price (not including IPC).

Most, if not all, of the domestic flights (and some regional - Montevideo, for example, some flights are LA Express) are now operated under the "LAN Express" name, with all coach service. As Eastbay1K noted, there are still some aircraft with two cabins plying these routes, but the service throughout the plane is Y. I have found, without exception, that LA are excellent at putting me in a J seat (even if it is with Y service) or an exit row on these flights if I am on a thru ticket in J to/from the US or another int'l destination, or if I am on a D-class OWE.

Just for curiosity-- Does anyone know if the IPC-PPT segment then changes to a J service in the front?