I had been on a tough away assignment for 3 months and earned a well deserved break by the time the engagement was over and June had rolled in. Instead of going back to Caracas directly, I decided to visit a few random places I had not been to in a while. Since I had not visited Chile in 2 years, Santiago won out. The idea was to spend some time with my friends and then go to Puntas Arenas to visit another friend who works there. I have been wanting to go to PUQ for a while, and was super excited about it – of course, as you might have guessed from the title of this report, I did not actually end up at PUQ. More on that later.
A quick search on A.Net tells me that this is the first report on 3I, and the first to involve any routing to Iquique (IQQ) or Antofagasta (ANF).
II > Pre-Flight:
a) Before Airport:
Aerolineas del Sur was set up by the Marsans group (ex-owners of AR) with a few 732’s out of SLC to provide domestic service in the Chilean market, and compete with LAN. They had been recently re-branded as Air Comet Chile, and the confusion of this dual branding was evident throughout the journey with them. Moreover, the colors of Air Comet Chile (nee Aerolineas del Sur) is more or less the same as its main competitor Sky Airline. Seriously people, how hard is it to pick a different set of colors. Also interesting for me is that both the “wanna-bee” LAN’s utilize the workhorse 732 and have a route network that looks remarkably similar; basically, multi-stop domestic routings all evolving from the SCL hub. Perhaps my Chilean friends can shed some light on this … is there not demand to connect cities such as PUQ, ANF, IQQ, PMC, ARI with each other? I just cannot believe that there is no demand for intra-Chile feed bypassing SCL.
Ticketing was done on the extremely unfriendly Aerolineas del Sur’s website (http://www.aerolineasdelsur.cl/index.asp). First of all, for non-Spanish speakers, the website is very painful to use. Also, for some reason, I could not use US or European issued credit cards, and was successful with my Venezuelan account! It is a primitive site and there were neither options to change/view itinerary, nor do seat selection of any kind.
b) At Airport:
On the day of the flight, I took the subway to the Pajaritos station to connect with the bus to the airport for my flight to PUQ. SCL follows the “Ikea Airport Design School” (IKADS) – a modern glass building which is extremely functional and pleasant – but not something that would be featured in the latest architectural magazine. However, it does have striking views of the tarmac from outside which are enhanced by the backdrop of the magnificent Andes.
Check-in was fast, but was done by an extremely grumpy old man for whom smiling was an incredibly difficult task. Requesting a window exit row seat was apparently a huge chore and he unpleasantly told me that it was not possible as I was not a native Chilean!?! I could understand if I did not speak Spanish, but anyways. Security was a breeze and I made it to the gate with enough time. Here is where the fun started. First, the flight was delayed due to “meteorological” reasons at PUQ. No further information was forthcoming, and then after 45 minutes or so, the flight was randomly cancelled due to airport closure at PUQ. Ok, fine enough … weather delays happen, and PUQ is in the Patagonia/Magallenas belt. However, the guy at the gate had no idea about reimbursements or anything like that and kept on asking everyone to go to the check-in. Interestingly, none of the announcements were made in English. Ok, so back I went outside security, and off to the check-in counter. At the check-in counter, I was informed that all flights to PUQ had been cancelled (find out it was a lie as LA was still operating theirs to PUQ) and I could only be accommodated the next day. Since my return was the next day itself, I asked if I could cancel the ticket … the woman said, I had to go to downtown city office and it could not be done on a Sunday … apparently, since it was an electronic ticket. WTF?! Ok, I wanted to speak to the manager so was directed back to the airport ticket counter. Here, after standing for a while, the two agents were useless. I insisted on speaking with the manager … after an additional 30 minutes of wait, I started getting super annoyed and was finally directed back to the check-in to meet the manager … who had been standing there all the time. Uugh. Ok, so she absolutely refused to give me a refund and said it was not her fault that I booked online! Thinking quickly on my feet, I asked her to send me on a flight to anywhere in the 3I network as I wanted to see more of Chile, and frankly Santiago is not my cup of tea. After a lot of convincing, she endorsed me over to the flight to Iquique … a town I had no idea about. After working on the computer, she directed me back to the grumpy old man who this time refused my exit row request because they were apparently all taken (another lie.)
Rushing through security, I was the last to board the IQQ flight. Upon entering the cabin, I was immediately struck by how well they had kept the 732. Also, I feel the 732 is more spacious than others because the cabin is taller? Y load was around 80% … there was not a single passenger in the J cabin.
Airport - External:
(Bus @ Pajaritos for Airport)
(Santiago Airport)
Check-in:
Airport - Internal:
(FID 1: YAY, my flight to PUQ is on time)
(FID 2: Oh no, my flight is cancelled)
(FID 3: YAY, I am going to some random city called Iquique)
(Pre security – cool art work)
Scenes of the tarmac:
(Taken from outside terminal)
(Taken at gate)
Lounge
NONE
Boarding:
(Boarding area)
(Boarding chaos as PUQ cancellation announced)
(Boarding attempt for IQQ flight)
III> In-Flight:
a) Service Schedule + Impressions:
Meal service after takeoff. I was surprised that there was no service for the short leg from ANF to IQQ. Also, the entire transit at ANF is super inefficient. They have these 2 guys come with a manifest and ask each person their name and their luggage to cross-off the list. Since people move seats, it became a tedious and long routine. I initially thought this was a Chilean legal requirement, but it did not happen on my return flight.
b) Aircraft + Seats:
I must say that 3I has maintained their aircraft very well. Even the bathroom was super well maintained. The 732 looked good. However, the actual seats were uncomfortable with remarkably tight pitch and no recline. Just prior to the stop at ANF, I moved to the empty exit row seats (none were taken…uugh), and the legroom difference was immense.
Aircraft:
(@SCL)
Views from Aircraft:
(Views while parked @ gate @ SCL)
(Desperately wanted to take a picture of the RG jet – God knows how long they’d be around)
(Beautiful Andes)
(View from the huge 732 windows @ ANF)
(Antofagasta airport – a prime example of “CADS”)
(View post climb out of ANF)
(Flight follows Chilean coastline)
(Beautiful scenery prior to landing @ IQQ)
Seat Leg-Room:
(Kinda hurts …)
(… until I move to the totally wide open spacious exit-row seats … and notice not even a curtain to separate J and Y … not that it mattered)
Seat Recline + Angle View:
Cabin:
c) Meal + Beverage:
Post take-off, a meal service was doled out with 2 choices. I chose the chicken which was actually very yummy. Moreover, the accompanying bread was awesome – warm, fresh, right out of the oven. Some airlines in J class could learn a few things. Finally, the icing on the cake was the free alcohol … I helped myself to a Cristal beer.
(Pretty damn yummy)
d) Inflight Entertainment:
None. The Air Comet/Aerolineas del Sur magazine is kinda blah … and I felt sorry for those who did not speak Spanish.
(“In-flight magazines”, Boarding Passes – from the return flight, etc.)
e) Crew:
Ok, the crew were hot. But besides that, there was really nothing much to say about them. I mean, they did not smile much during the flight and just basically showed up to do the safety demonstration and distribute meals. Oh, and one of them yelled out at a woman breast-feeding her baby in the last row of the Y cabin. Finally, what is up with not a single announcement being made in English? At least, they could have made the safety briefing in English?!
IV> Post-Flight:
Arrival @ IQQ was a breeze. It is a surreal airport in the middle of the desert and way away from town. I did not check any bags, so was out of the funky airport in 5 minutes. The airport itself followed the Chilean Airport Design School “CADS” … don’t believe me? Just see the similarities between IQQ and ANF.
(IQQ airport – another prime example of “CADS”. Notice the similarities with ANF!)
(Baggage Claim @ SCL)
V> Impressions + Scores:
I really wanted to go to PUQ and was sad that Aerolineas del Sur ruined it. While their inflight product gets passing grades (high marks for food, low for attendants and seat comfort), their ground handling was pathetic. Having had my share of weather delays, I understand that it is not something that they can control. However, the absolute pathetic way of handling the situation is inexcusable and evidence of a poor customer service culture. Lying to me is NEVER acceptable, and the agent at check-in did it twice. Moreover, in a culture of e-ticketing, there is really no excuse for airport office being unable to refund electronic tickets. If given a choice, I would not recommend flying with Aerolineas del Sur/Air Comet Chile.
1.0 > RESERVATION: 6.0
2.0 > CHECK-IN: 1.0
0.5 > LOUNGE: N/A
0.5 > BOARDING: 1.0
2.0 > SEAT: 3.5
0.5 > AIRCRAFT OVERALL AMBIENCE: 8.0
1.0 > IFE: 4.0
2.0 > CREW: 3.0
2.0 > FOOD: 8.0
0.5 > BEVERAGES: 7.0
0.5 > A.KITS + OTHER FREEBIES: 5.0
0.5 > DISEMBARKATION: 8.0
1.0 > ON-TIME RECORD: 9.0 WEIGHTED OVERALL IMPRESSION (WOI): 8.61
(Pre-flight WOI of all reviews: 4.78)
* Weighted Overall Impression (WOI) aligns scores with what matters most. Weights are indicated alongside each category.
(Scores are based on comparison with other airlines in THAT class of service – No comparison of Y vs. F for example)
TANS From Czech Republic, joined May 2005, 134 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 7824 times:
Very interesting trip report!
I’ve never sent anyone on Air Comet Chile – LAN and Sky Airline seem to be the best choices by far! My flights with Sky were absolutely perfect – too bad I didn’t take any photos so I couldn’t really write a report!
EZEIZA From Argentina, joined Aug 2004, 4929 posts, RR: 28 Reply 4, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 7667 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): If given a choice, I would not recommend flying with Aerolineas del Sur/Air Comet Chile.
Hola!
Great trip report, as all of yours (I read maany TR's but almost never post!)
Regarding Air Comet ... well, what can I say, it's Marsans! The way the ground staff handled your cancellation (or should I say, didn't handle it!) seems to be the typical marsans style. No information and many times no logic.
But the plane seemed "young" and the space on the emergency exit row ... wow, looked like Business class!
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 5, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 7643 times:
Quoting PlunaCRJ (Reply 1):
Thanks for your report, the first onw feautiring Air Comet Chile in these forums, right?
= I think so. When are we getting a PLUNA report ?
Quoting EZEIZA (Reply 4): Great trip report, as all of yours (I read maany TR's but almost never post!)
= Well, from now hope that changes . Thanks for the note though.
Quoting EZEIZA (Reply 4): Regarding Air Comet ... well, what can I say, it's Marsans! The way the ground staff handled your cancellation (or should I say, didn't handle it!) seems to be the typical marsans style. No information and many times no logic.
= Ya. I have never heard a good word being spoken about Marsans. I personally do not have enough experience to say one way or the other ... this is the first one. I have flown AR several times, but those were in pre-Marsans days.
Quoting Kiramakora (Reply 3): Alex, since you have travelled in all Latin countries, I am curious on your take on which countries do domestic air travel well and which do not.
= Loaded question . Well, I do not want to comment on the negatives ... but the positives for me are Venezuela (despite everything and adversity, it seems to strut along), Brazil (hands down, TAM is the best carrier in the Americas for me), Colombia (Avianca ... though, you still have some "bad seeds" left over from the old AV ... especially on their Florida flights), and Argentina (you know, Latins on this board LOVE making fun of the Argentines ... but at the end of the day, despite their shortcomings, Aerolineas is a pioneer in the continent for aviation ... and more importantly, I LOVE the way Argentines come together in terms of adversity ... for example, if there is an impending AR cancellation at EZE, passengers come to each other rescue and help each other and make the cancellation so much more about compassion ... I think the only country that I saw this also is in India ... and, this behavior inspires customer service agents to get their act together ... like in India, I believe solidly in one thing about Argentina ... be nice to the overabused AR worker, and they will be nice to you ... unfortunately, I saw none of this warmth in Chile).
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 6, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 7629 times:
Hi!
Great report after all, despite that cancellation. In return, you got another interesting flight on the good old smoker 737-200.
btw, did I see partly a Air Comet B732 in the full darkblue livery? That would be awesome to see!
Keep these great reports coming! Thanks for sharing,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 7, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 7624 times:
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 6): Hi!
Great report after all, despite that cancellation. In return, you got another interesting flight on the good old smoker 737-200.
btw, did I see partly a Air Comet B732 in the full darkblue livery? That would be awesome to see!
Keep these great reports coming! Thanks for sharing,
Eric
= Thanks Eric. Ya, the agent was taken aback when I kept on saying, I don't care where you send me, but I need to fly out of Santiago, and I need to do it now . Yup, a good old 732 with the AR condor can be seen in the hangar. I was wondering who would spot it first .
RJ_Delta From Chile, joined Oct 2000, 1943 posts, RR: 13 Reply 8, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 7620 times:
Excellent report. I surprised that you have found very well maintained the CC-CZO. I heard from others friends and travelers that the CC-CZO and CC-CZK looks very old and poor condition. Interesting. Both aircrafts are ex LAN and they continue to use LAN' seats in Economy Class.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Perhaps my Chilean friends can shed some light on this ... is there not demand to connect cities such as PUQ, ANF, IQQ, PMC, ARI with each other? I just cannot believe that there is no demand for intra-Chile feed bypassing SCL
Chile is a very centralized country. The people usually flies from the Region to Santiago or from Santiago to the Regions. However in some routes you have intra regional traffic for example Iquique to Arica or Antofagasta, Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt, and so on. In the summer you have more domestic connections.
I hope that you have enjoyed your stay in Santiago and Chile.
EZEIZA From Argentina, joined Aug 2004, 4929 posts, RR: 28 Reply 10, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 7379 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 5): I have flown AR several times, but those were in pre-Marsans days
I've only flown once during the Marsans era, this past Feb. EZE-MAD (actually flying IB but they put us on AR due to overbooking) and with all honesty I have no complaints about that flight. I think AR's product when everything else is in place is a very good one, problem comes when extraordinary things happen, and your TR shows exactly wht we see here everyday, with stranded pax complaining that no info is given, etc. etc.
I am incresingly disgusted with Marsans, but I can only HOPE that the state takeover of AR will improve things.
btw, Air Comet Chile is cutting routes since the announcment of them selling AR, so maybe they won't last too long, in which case your TR is truly exclusive
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8259 posts, RR: 56 Reply 11, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 7221 times:
Grear read Abrelosojos, thanks!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): SCL follows the “Ikea Airport Design School” (IKADS) – a modern glass building which is extremely functional and pleasant – but not something that would be featured in the latest architectural magazine. However, it does have striking views of the tarmac from outside which are enhanced by the backdrop of the magnificent Andes.
- Sounds great, especially the views of the tarmac
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Check-in was fast, but was done by an extremely grumpy old man for whom smiling was an incredibly difficult task. Requesting a window exit row seat was apparently a huge chore and he unpleasantly told me that it was not possible as I was not a native Chilean!?!
- Nice!
Seems that customer service is really lacking with this airline, just amazing at the staff attitutes and that of the manager, very poor.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, RR: 79 Reply 12, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 7214 times:
Very entertaining report, Abrelosojos. Great to see a report about Air Comet Chile.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Post take-off, a meal service was doled out with 2 choices. I chose the chicken which was actually very yummy. Moreover, the accompanying bread was awesome – warm, fresh, right out of the oven. Some airlines in J class could learn a few things. Finally, the icing on the cake was the free alcohol … I helped myself to a Cristal beer.
Looks very good - what a contrast to the other aspects of service.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Finally, what is up with not a single announcement being made in English? At least, they could have made the safety briefing in English?!
Unbelievable - I didn't expect to hear something like that happening in Chile.
CO7e7 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 2848 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 7192 times:
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 14, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 7034 times:
Quoting RJ_Delta (Reply 8): Chile is a very centralized country. The people usually flies from the Region to Santiago or from Santiago to the Regions. However in some routes you have intra regional traffic for example Iquique to Arica or Antofagasta, Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt, and so on. In the summer you have more domestic connections.
= Fascinating though. Has any airline in the past experimented with say a 3x weekly run between Puerto Montt and say Antofagasta?
Quoting RJ_Delta (Reply 8): I hope that you have enjoyed your stay in Santiago and Chile.
= I did. While I am not a fan of Santiago, the beauty of Chile is breathtaking ... many pictures coming up soon.
Quoting PlunaCRJ (Reply 9):
I posted one here about two weeks ago -
= Thanks PlunaCRJ. I must have missed it. Great TR. I have very fond memories of doing the EZE-MVD flight almost daily for 6 months back in 2000 with Pluna's decorated 732s.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 11):
Seems that customer service is really lacking with this airline, just amazing at the staff attitutes and that of the manager, very poor.
= Yup. Santiago airport is overall extremely poor in customer service.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 12):
Unbelievable - I didn't expect to hear something like that happening in Chile.
= To be honest, I think this was limited to Air Comet Chile. On my flight on Sky Airlines, announcements were made in Spanish and English.
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. Thanks for the note though.
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