Using frequent flier miles to your destination: You can use American Airlines miles to get to Buenos Aires and further into the country on Lan,  connecting from Buenos Aires to Bariloche or Calafate. If you are flying to Santiago, Chile you can use your AA miles for flights on Lan to Puerto Montt, or Punta Arenas.  As of this moment you can not use frequent flier miles to get to Esquel.  However this will change when Aerolineas joins Delta on Sky Team. (On 29 November 2010, Aerolíneas Argentinas signed the official Adherence Agreement in Buenos Aires to join SkyTeam. They are now in the process of fulfilling all membership requirements to become a full member of the SkyTeam alliance. Expected entry is by 2012.)

Those looking for deep discounts: Can find them with Gilda however, they are usually through secondary carriers or through other countries. For our employees or those willing to fly with 2 to 3 hour layovers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, significant savings may be available on Tam Airlines. One could continue with the super savings by same day luxury overnight bus connections to Esquel Argentina or Puerto Montt Chile. Our Travel Agent Gilda can find these flight discounts for you. Sign up for kayak.com and Airfarewatchdog.com to be notified of air deals.




Airlines Inside Argentina

Airlines Inside Chile
-- Charter twin engine planes, Charter helicopters

Airport Codes

International Airline Advice

Internet discount sites

Airlines inside Argentina     

Aerolíneas Argentinas has direct flights from Buenos Aires, Argentina  to Esquel, Bariloche and Calafate.
It is Argentina's largest airline and serves as the country's flag carrier. The airline is currently owned in its majority by the Argentine Government. You can purchase tickets through our travel agent Gilda.  The Aerolineas web site is not reliable for purchasing tickets from out of the country. http://www.aerolineas.com.ar/home.asp The company is scheduled to join the SkyTeam alliance (with Delta) in 2012.


LAN  flies from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Bariloche, and Calafate. It code shares and shares frequent flier miles with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Our travel agent can line you up with tickets. The Lan web site is reliable.  www.lan.com

Andes Air is a new carrier in Argentina that flies from Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn and Bariloche. Tickets can not be purchased in the US. However one can call their Buenos Aires number and purchase the ticket
over the phone. Telephone +54.11.4508.6750.   Check flight schedule on their web page. http://www.andesonline.com/


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Airlines inside Chile:

Lan: Lan flies from Santiago, Chile to Puerto Montt, Valdivia and Punta Arenas. They have a huge selection of flights. You can earn or use frequent flier miles with American. www.lan.com  You can purchase tickets through our travel agent Gilda.

Sky Airlines: Sky has a more limited schedule in Chile but with advance purchase can offer substantial savings between Santiago and Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas or Buenos Aires. Sky does not have an office or phone numbers in the US. One must be willing to check their web page to see if the schedules fit.  Call their Chile number and  ask for an English speaking agent. Ask for the Z fare and pay with your visa card over the phone.  www.skyairline.cl (web page does not accept foreign credit cards). Check for flight and call for reserves.  Telephone in Chile  +56.600.600.2828,  they have English speaking agents.

CieloMarAustral has regularly scheduled flights four times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat,) early morning (9:30 a.m.) on the Puerto Montt - Chaiten - Puerto Montt route. They allow only 15 kilos of luggage before they charge excess baggage fees. They do not have an online presence, however tickets may be purchased in advance from our travel agent Gilda.  They also have twin engine charters and charter helicopters available for flights into Futaleufu for those that want to view incredible scenery on this route.

Airport Codes

Argentina	Chile
Buenos Aires National = AEP	Santiago = SCL
Buenos Aires International = EZE	Puerto Montt = PMC
Bariloche = BRC	Valdivia = ZAL
Esquel = EQS	Punta Arenas = PUQ
uerto Madryn = PMY	Chaiten =WCH
	Futaleufu = FFU

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International Advice:

North American Travelers
From North America, we recommend American Airlines, Lan and Delta in that order. American shares frequent flier miles with Lan in both Chile and Argentina.  American has proven more agile with baggage transfers and in the rare case of baggage delays. Direct flights on these carriers depart Dallas, Miami and Atlanta (Delta), and arrive early enough to connect straight to in-country flights.  Air Canada has direct flights from Toronto.

European Travelers
From Europe, we recommend British Airways (code sharing with Lan) from London, Aerolineas Argentina from Madrid and Air France from Paris. These flights usually are scheduled early enough for the legal connection time to Esquel, or Bariloche and to arrive in time for dinner in Trevelin.

Brazilian Travelers
We recommend TAM airlines code sharing with Lan. Brazilian travelers will have to spend a night in Buenos Aires or Bariloche before continuing south to the trip pick up point in Esquel. There are also direct flights from Sao Paulo to Bariloche twice a week but the flights arrive late at night and will also require a one night stay in Bariloche.

Australian, New Zealander, Asian Travelers
We recommend Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, and some destinations in Australia and New Zealand Quantas. These  carriers code share with Lan.

Russian Travelers
Russian travelers have traditionally come in via Europe to Buenos Aires. Follow the recommendation for the European travelers. Russian travelers should also be cautious of time zone changes and allow enough time to acclimate before partaking in strenuous physical activity.

International Airlines servicing Argentina and or Chile.
- American Airlines
- LAN
- Delta
- Air Canada
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Continental
- Air France
- TAM
- British Airways
- United
- Cathay Pacific
- Korean Air
- Qantas



Internet Travel Discounters
- Airfarewatchdog.com
- Kayak.com
- Cheapoair.com
- Hot Wire
- Hot Fares
- Cheap Fares
- Despegar.com


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