Lan Chile LAX-SCL from a while back
Sep 13, 2001 | 12:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Circle City
Posts: 3,568
Lan Chile LAX-SCL from a while back
I want to do something that is a bit more therapeutic than sitting in front of the television for countless numbers of hours, listening to stupid questions like whether the emergency aid will force Bush to dip into the Social Security surpluses, so I decided to do concentrate for a while on two of the things that truly bring me great joy. Flying and traveling. The incidents have not scared me from flying, though my family is even more terrified of my habits, which is something I didnt even realize was possible. But I feel that the best thing I can do is to just go on with my life and not allow those around me who want to scare me and disrupt my life to get the satisfaction of actually doing so. So I check the Dream Maps, my mail, and Flyertalk, as I do every day, and I see that there is a good run from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale for $200 on TWA. A sense that everything is right in the world overwhelms me for a split second, until the grim reality sets in that the landscape of air travel is about to change. Whether it changes for the better or worse remains to be seen, but it will most certainly change. My heart goes out to those affected by this tragedy of epic proportions, as a friend of mine described it, and I salute all those who are helping to keep America strong.
I arrived to the airport at about 11am for my 2pm flight, after battling the usual two-hour traffic jam from my home to LAX. The plane was leaving out of the Bradley terminal, which was only the second time that I had ever used it. The first was a Virgin flight several years ago. The Bradley Terminal (BT) is actually pretty nice. LAX is done in a U shape design, and the BT is at the bottom. It is very large, with high ceilings and a healthy amount of noise and confusion. It really is a departure from all things Los Angeles, and consequently most people I know hate to go out of there. Check in was as smooth as expected, and I was able to get checked all the way to Caracas. For whatever reason, I dislike checking in, so I like to get checked as far as possible. Cant even tell you why, other than to say that I have had some problems in the past with agents who either asked too many questions and proceeded to screw a lot of things up, or who made mistakes all on their own. One was when an agent checked me in and then cancelled the rest of my itinerary by accident, which still had 15 or 16 segments. I didnt find out until later, and by that time, several of the flights were sold out. I think that if dealing with airlines and their personnel has taught me anything, it would be patience and flexibility.
The one part of the BT that is in dire need of remodeling is the departure lounges. I have been in two of them, including the Oneworld lounge on this trip, and they are small and depressing. Only good thing is free booze, but I dont drink much unless I am relaxing in my underwear or going to work, so it doesnt do me a whole lot of good at an airline lounge. Especially with that draconian pants required policy they insist on having. The lounge is up an elevator, and overlooks the tarmac and taxi roads. Good for plane watching, except that the windows are high up and you have to stay standing. Not a problem for me, but for some, it might be.
Lan Chile runs a 767-300 on this route, and fortunately it is one of their bigger ones. Yields must be reasonably healthy, since they dont discount the route much, and because they now run an Airbus 340 part of the time. This flight was light, especially in first (Classe Primera). The cabin has five seats, done in a 2-1-2 configuration, which can be lowered into a darn-close-to-flat position. I seem to remember something about 177 degrees, but it is close enough to fully flat for me. The flight attendants must have thought I was a mental patient, since the first thing I did was to begin adjusting the seat. The Chilean attendants were dressed in slim-fitting, blue blazers and skirts; white button-down shirts, and red Lan Chile ties. Simple, clean, and attractive. They also wore medium heels, which although went well with the outfit, I couldnt imagine wearing for 10 hours. Then again, with my flat feet, I try to stay off all heels.
Pre-departure drinks included water, orange juice, and champagne, all served in real glass. Apparently Chile doesnt have the same glass shortage as we do. From the very beginning of the trip, I immediately sensed the professionalism of the staff. They didnt use my name, and on my seven subsequent trips they never did either. I can only presume that it is cultural. But everything that the flight attendants did was perfect. Every utensil had its place, and there was no way that it was going to be out of place. The presentation of the meals was perfect, and when serving wine, they poured a bit in to taste for corkage before dumping a whole glass. It was something that you would expect in a fine restaurant like Campanile, not on an airplane. The attendants took great pride in what they did and how they did it. I made the unfortunate mistake of moving something after the FA set the table, and when she came back, she shot me a look and promptly corrected everything.
For those who remember my incessant complaining about the Qantas foccacia, this was the antithesis to the foccacia. Like the scales of justice, everything in the world has balance. For every ten foccacia that pollutes the world, there is a Lan Chile meal waiting to brighten it back up.
* - what I ate
Dinner.
Appetizers:
-*Caspian Sea Caviar some of the best I have had. Not overly salty, not overly fishy.
-Sushi
-*Serrano Ham
Cold Dishes:
-*Salad (the dill, yogurt dressing was outstanding)
-*Half Maine lobster
-Marinated pork tenderloin
Hot Dishes:
-Beef Medallion with black beans, corn, and new potatoes (didnt try the beef until the next flight because I have a policy of not eating beef on airplanes because it is usually so bad. The beef on LA was tender, flavorful, and cooked to a perfect pink medium.)
-Buttered tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes and an Oriental sauce
-*Mediterranean Chicken Supreme, stuffed with mozzarella, spinach, basil, and bell pepper, served with penne pasta
-Teriyaki angel hair pasta with a lobster ragout
Dessert:
-*Normandy Apple Tart with crme Anglais (thought I died and went to heaven, but it was just the cholesterol settling)
-Lemon Sorbet
Hot Snack.
Beginning:
-*Foie Gras (PETA people beware, I enjoy my foie gras immensely)
Entre:
-Garden Salad
-Oriental Beef with sauted potatoes
-Turbot filet, stuffed with crab mousse, with asparagus, capers, and carrots
Dessert:
-Papaya Cheesecake
Breakfast:
-Juice and Fruit
-Omelet with chipolata sausage and vegetable ratatouille
-*Ricotta crepe with strawberry coulis (outstanding, but extremely rich and sweet)
The wine list is extensive, and included all Chilean wines. I have actually found I enjoy them because they are generally deeper in color, taste, and texture, and they are smoother and less fruity than many others. Needless to say, I cant stand white wine. Lan Chile was featuring one wine that I fell absolutely in love with. I saw it in Santiago for $40, but that is a chunk of change for me, so I didnt buy it. A bit of a regret. Anyway, this wine was the Vina Tarapaca Millennium Edition. Bottled in 1996, if I remember right. Others included Tattinger Comtes de Champagne 1995, Vina Unduragga Founders Choice 1997, and Primus Vina Veramonte 1998. Total, there were five reds, three whites, the Tattinger, and a partridge in a pear tree.
The flight went as well as to be expected, and the only complaint I would have is the fact that there is a stop in Lima in the middle of the night. The plane only stops for about an hour, but it still can be a bit disrupting. But given that it is a necessary evil for the route to keep up (it used to be a non-stop flight), it is understandable. I also feel that the entertainment system is inadequate. There are about seven channels, with no video tape capabilities. Unfortunately, all the movies were horrible (like Proof of Life) but one called Boca a Boca, which I enjoyed. But I took six flights within about 3 weeks, so by the last flight, I was able to recite about half the movie. It was in Spanish. I dont speak Spanish.
Overall, I was extraordinarily impressed with the level of service and comfort of the airline. The people were friendly, although reserved. I did notice, though, that when I had the same flight crew on a different flight, they greeted and welcomed me like I was a long lost family member. Asked about my stay, wanted to see pictures, etc I did talk to them a lot on the plane the first time, though, as I usually do. The seats and cabin are comfortable, and the dcor was done very well. I have heard that the Airbus is a little more comfortable, but I havent had the pleasure of first hand experience. The final thing that impressed me was the amenity kit. Yes, the amenity kit. I have said before that it is the little things in life. The amenity kit is a faux leather bag thingy filled with a full size (foldable) hairbrush, a full size toothbrush, Listerine, Rembrandt toothpaste, Smints, a full size Schick razor, eyeshades, earplugs, a shoehorn, and some aromatherapy stuff. I still use the bag and hairbrush when I travel.
Needless to say, I would and have flown LA again. And even though the seats are less comfortable than BA, I think I would place Lan Chile as my second favorite airline in the Oneworld alliance that I have flown. The first place belongs to Cathay, of course.
I arrived to the airport at about 11am for my 2pm flight, after battling the usual two-hour traffic jam from my home to LAX. The plane was leaving out of the Bradley terminal, which was only the second time that I had ever used it. The first was a Virgin flight several years ago. The Bradley Terminal (BT) is actually pretty nice. LAX is done in a U shape design, and the BT is at the bottom. It is very large, with high ceilings and a healthy amount of noise and confusion. It really is a departure from all things Los Angeles, and consequently most people I know hate to go out of there. Check in was as smooth as expected, and I was able to get checked all the way to Caracas. For whatever reason, I dislike checking in, so I like to get checked as far as possible. Cant even tell you why, other than to say that I have had some problems in the past with agents who either asked too many questions and proceeded to screw a lot of things up, or who made mistakes all on their own. One was when an agent checked me in and then cancelled the rest of my itinerary by accident, which still had 15 or 16 segments. I didnt find out until later, and by that time, several of the flights were sold out. I think that if dealing with airlines and their personnel has taught me anything, it would be patience and flexibility.
The one part of the BT that is in dire need of remodeling is the departure lounges. I have been in two of them, including the Oneworld lounge on this trip, and they are small and depressing. Only good thing is free booze, but I dont drink much unless I am relaxing in my underwear or going to work, so it doesnt do me a whole lot of good at an airline lounge. Especially with that draconian pants required policy they insist on having. The lounge is up an elevator, and overlooks the tarmac and taxi roads. Good for plane watching, except that the windows are high up and you have to stay standing. Not a problem for me, but for some, it might be.
Lan Chile runs a 767-300 on this route, and fortunately it is one of their bigger ones. Yields must be reasonably healthy, since they dont discount the route much, and because they now run an Airbus 340 part of the time. This flight was light, especially in first (Classe Primera). The cabin has five seats, done in a 2-1-2 configuration, which can be lowered into a darn-close-to-flat position. I seem to remember something about 177 degrees, but it is close enough to fully flat for me. The flight attendants must have thought I was a mental patient, since the first thing I did was to begin adjusting the seat. The Chilean attendants were dressed in slim-fitting, blue blazers and skirts; white button-down shirts, and red Lan Chile ties. Simple, clean, and attractive. They also wore medium heels, which although went well with the outfit, I couldnt imagine wearing for 10 hours. Then again, with my flat feet, I try to stay off all heels.
Pre-departure drinks included water, orange juice, and champagne, all served in real glass. Apparently Chile doesnt have the same glass shortage as we do. From the very beginning of the trip, I immediately sensed the professionalism of the staff. They didnt use my name, and on my seven subsequent trips they never did either. I can only presume that it is cultural. But everything that the flight attendants did was perfect. Every utensil had its place, and there was no way that it was going to be out of place. The presentation of the meals was perfect, and when serving wine, they poured a bit in to taste for corkage before dumping a whole glass. It was something that you would expect in a fine restaurant like Campanile, not on an airplane. The attendants took great pride in what they did and how they did it. I made the unfortunate mistake of moving something after the FA set the table, and when she came back, she shot me a look and promptly corrected everything.
For those who remember my incessant complaining about the Qantas foccacia, this was the antithesis to the foccacia. Like the scales of justice, everything in the world has balance. For every ten foccacia that pollutes the world, there is a Lan Chile meal waiting to brighten it back up.
* - what I ate
Dinner.
Appetizers:
-*Caspian Sea Caviar some of the best I have had. Not overly salty, not overly fishy.
-Sushi
-*Serrano Ham
Cold Dishes:
-*Salad (the dill, yogurt dressing was outstanding)
-*Half Maine lobster
-Marinated pork tenderloin
Hot Dishes:
-Beef Medallion with black beans, corn, and new potatoes (didnt try the beef until the next flight because I have a policy of not eating beef on airplanes because it is usually so bad. The beef on LA was tender, flavorful, and cooked to a perfect pink medium.)
-Buttered tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes and an Oriental sauce
-*Mediterranean Chicken Supreme, stuffed with mozzarella, spinach, basil, and bell pepper, served with penne pasta
-Teriyaki angel hair pasta with a lobster ragout
Dessert:
-*Normandy Apple Tart with crme Anglais (thought I died and went to heaven, but it was just the cholesterol settling)
-Lemon Sorbet
Hot Snack.
Beginning:
-*Foie Gras (PETA people beware, I enjoy my foie gras immensely)
Entre:
-Garden Salad
-Oriental Beef with sauted potatoes
-Turbot filet, stuffed with crab mousse, with asparagus, capers, and carrots
Dessert:
-Papaya Cheesecake
Breakfast:
-Juice and Fruit
-Omelet with chipolata sausage and vegetable ratatouille
-*Ricotta crepe with strawberry coulis (outstanding, but extremely rich and sweet)
The wine list is extensive, and included all Chilean wines. I have actually found I enjoy them because they are generally deeper in color, taste, and texture, and they are smoother and less fruity than many others. Needless to say, I cant stand white wine. Lan Chile was featuring one wine that I fell absolutely in love with. I saw it in Santiago for $40, but that is a chunk of change for me, so I didnt buy it. A bit of a regret. Anyway, this wine was the Vina Tarapaca Millennium Edition. Bottled in 1996, if I remember right. Others included Tattinger Comtes de Champagne 1995, Vina Unduragga Founders Choice 1997, and Primus Vina Veramonte 1998. Total, there were five reds, three whites, the Tattinger, and a partridge in a pear tree.
The flight went as well as to be expected, and the only complaint I would have is the fact that there is a stop in Lima in the middle of the night. The plane only stops for about an hour, but it still can be a bit disrupting. But given that it is a necessary evil for the route to keep up (it used to be a non-stop flight), it is understandable. I also feel that the entertainment system is inadequate. There are about seven channels, with no video tape capabilities. Unfortunately, all the movies were horrible (like Proof of Life) but one called Boca a Boca, which I enjoyed. But I took six flights within about 3 weeks, so by the last flight, I was able to recite about half the movie. It was in Spanish. I dont speak Spanish.
Overall, I was extraordinarily impressed with the level of service and comfort of the airline. The people were friendly, although reserved. I did notice, though, that when I had the same flight crew on a different flight, they greeted and welcomed me like I was a long lost family member. Asked about my stay, wanted to see pictures, etc I did talk to them a lot on the plane the first time, though, as I usually do. The seats and cabin are comfortable, and the dcor was done very well. I have heard that the Airbus is a little more comfortable, but I havent had the pleasure of first hand experience. The final thing that impressed me was the amenity kit. Yes, the amenity kit. I have said before that it is the little things in life. The amenity kit is a faux leather bag thingy filled with a full size (foldable) hairbrush, a full size toothbrush, Listerine, Rembrandt toothpaste, Smints, a full size Schick razor, eyeshades, earplugs, a shoehorn, and some aromatherapy stuff. I still use the bag and hairbrush when I travel.
Needless to say, I would and have flown LA again. And even though the seats are less comfortable than BA, I think I would place Lan Chile as my second favorite airline in the Oneworld alliance that I have flown. The first place belongs to Cathay, of course.
Dec 18, 2001 | 6:00 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
I had a nice flight the opposite way a while back. This is one of the few airlines that doesn't mind if you stay reclined in 1st class during landing. After dinner and a movie and the obligatory stop at LIM, I snoozed the whole way in to LAX.
Dec 18, 2001 | 10:49 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: I am usually found in YYC or GIG
Programs: UAL Premex
Posts: 1,858
I flew this exact route in Feb 2000 in the back of a 767.....and I was impressed as you were with LanChile.
Great inflight staff, good food...free unlimited booze in economy.....nice decor..etc.
The ticket wasn't cheap.....compared to other trips I have taken of similiar distances.
The only thing I really disliked was the one hour stop in Lima.
We sat on the tarmac about 100 metres from the terminal with all the doors open, which allowed the pungent stench of this city to fill the aircraft. Lima reeks. As this was happening...the groomers came on and proceeded to clean up the pax compartment...interrupting my attempt at sleep.
A very dissapointing incident on a fantastic flight.
[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 12-18-2001).]
Great inflight staff, good food...free unlimited booze in economy.....nice decor..etc.
The ticket wasn't cheap.....compared to other trips I have taken of similiar distances.
The only thing I really disliked was the one hour stop in Lima.
We sat on the tarmac about 100 metres from the terminal with all the doors open, which allowed the pungent stench of this city to fill the aircraft. Lima reeks. As this was happening...the groomers came on and proceeded to clean up the pax compartment...interrupting my attempt at sleep.
A very dissapointing incident on a fantastic flight.
[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 12-18-2001).]