Avianca From Venezuela, joined Jan 2005, 5857 posts, RR: 40 Posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 15544 times:
Dear all,
in november 2008 I found a great deal on lan.com for a Ccs-Lim-Eze-Lim-Ccs.
I am normally an Eco flyer but from time to time there are great Business fares ex Ccs - in this case LAN had a promo (I think it is still bookable) in Business to Buenos Aires - one of my favorite citys in the world. The fare was around 1200 USD incl tax for the return ticket (using the official exachange rate, using the black market exchange rate it was just 500 USD so a real bargain). A great deal to test the new Lan business product.
Made the booking via phone as otherwise you have to pay in USD and not in Bolivares our local money. The booking was slow as the operator from LAN did not found the mentioned tariff - but with some additional data she found the fare and booked the tickets.
The next day I payed the tickets via bank-transfer and received minutes after the e-tickets via e-mail.
Finally after 3 months of waiting the day arrived and after a bussy day in the office I made my way to Ccs Airport wich is located around 5 minutes from my office. Arrived around 2,5 hours before the ETD and the LAN check-in was already nearly empty.
The check-in process was very slow and unfriendly - Anyhow after around 20 minutes of typing, checking documents etc... we received our boarding passes - for Ccs - Lim and also for Lim - Eze.
We filled out the venezulean customs-documents and made our way to the security-checks and emigration, wich this time was a reall breaze - not a standard for Ccs.
After emigration we made our way directly the the Admirales Club - as Lan is using AA lounge for there premium passengers.
The lounge was filled as beside our LAN flight there was also a AA flight to MIA. The food choices are very limited, only - cheese and crackers - but a good choice of spirits - I had 2 screw-drivers and some chees and crackers. After around 1 hour boarding was anounced, and we made our way to Gate 14 - boarding was quick as we used the seperate business class line.
We were welcomed and escorted to our seats - the first impression was just "WOW" a really great product that LAN has launched! I am sure it is the best business product in LatinAmerica and one of the best in the world.
Pre-Departure Drink - Champagne
Amenity-Kit, very basic but a nice touch for a 4 hour flight!
Second Pre-Departure Drink - this time PiscoSour
We pushed back with around 15 minutes delay and made a powerfull but short take-off run. After 15 minutes in flight it was time to eat dinner - on medium-haul flight LAN offers only express options - in business it is a full dinner but served on 1 trai - not per course. I found it a little bit disapointed as 4 hours should be enough for a full dinner served per course.
There were 3 choices, steak, fish or vegetarian pasta - my wife had the fish and myself the steak - both options were great! Both accompanied with a starter salad and warm bread - for dessert there was a choice between fruit-cake or fresh-fruits, we both opted for the fruits. LAN has great choice of wine - no wonder as an chilean carrier.
the steak - wich was very good and tender
the fish, wich was also very good
after dinner coffee and bailys was offered. We relaxed the rest of the flight time and around 3,5 hours after the departure we started our decent into Lim.
We deboarded and had to go again through security - as we had around 2 hours of conexion we made our way to the lounge. Lan is using in LIM the SUMAQ LOUNCH - it looks like nearly every major carrier in LIM is using this lounge with the exeption of Taca. The lounge was very bussy as LIM has heavy departure bank at midnight, AA to MIA - LAN to many destinations, CO to EWR, AC to YYZ to mention only a few. Anyhow, I have to say it is a great lounch - only snacks are served as food but they have an incredible sortiment of spirits and some niche featchers like fresh-squezed orange juice etc... I had some beers and some snacks like finger-sandwiches, olives etc... The time passed quickly and after checking the duty-free shops we made our way to the gate. Have to say that LIM has great duty-free sortiment!
Boarding was again a breeze - but only for business passengers - as for economy it was chaotic.
Had again as pre-flight drink a champagner. The take off-run was again very quick and short. As the ETD was around 01:30am I enjoyed quickly after the take-off my nice full-flat business seat and slept straight for 4 hours - have to say the Business Seat is just great! Lan offers on this redeye flight sandwiches as night snack - but as I slept strait I did not enjoyed much of the service.
Minutes before landing in EZE.
Landing and deboarding was quick, same for immigration and luggage pick-up. Around 30 minutes after the landing we were already on the highway bound for Buenos Aires CityCenter.
We stayed for 2,5 days in Buenos Aires enjoying the great nightlife and food!
Puerto Madero
On Monday 16.02.2009 it was time to leave Buenos Aires again - as I had booked a 3 day stay in south Patagonia - to be more precise to El Calafate (Glacier National Park).
the service - a ham and cheese sandwich and a mini Alfajor (a traditionall Argentinean cookie. Comparing to the US carriers not bad - but for a 3 hours flight in SouthAmerica it should be a little bit more.
over patagonia.
landing at FTE.
our A320 after deboarding.
I arranged the transfer to our hostel and after exploring a little bit El Calafate - a small town with around 10.000 inhabitans we had a nice dinner - including the famous patagonian lamb.
On 17.02.2009 it was finally the day to explore the glacier national park. It was really fascinating, this is the famous Perrito Morena glacier.
a trecking tour on the glacier.
On the next day we did a great tour on a catamaran, exploring the Largo Argentino - including Icebergs and other glaciers - like the Upsala glacier etc..
check-in was again quick at the small airport so I had still some time for spotting...
Twin-Otter operated by the Argentinean AirForce.
F-28
Austral
Our A.320 arriving from Buenos Aires.
Just after take-off - this is the old airport of El Calafate - the new has around 10 years.
The service was again the same as on the outbound flight.... but this time I had a nice can of Quilmes.
Around 1 hour south of Buenos Aires.
The flight was uneventfull and we arrived with around 30 minutes delay at 09:30pm in AEP
Went with the taxi to our hotel and had a nice dinner - at around 00:30am, in Argentinan it is tradition to eat very very late dinner.
.
We had still 5 days in Buenos Aires - it is really a great city!
The famous La Boca district.
Diego Maradona
A classic Argentian snack, ChorriPan.
San Telmo district.
The great Argentinan Beef cuts.
Casa Rosada - from there the President is runing the country.
A great Argentinean culture = wine
On Sunday it was time for an argentinean football mach, unfortunately Boca Juniors was playing out of town... so we had to go to an River Plate match... against Banfield, River Plate won 2:0.
Banda Brava
On the next day, our last full day in Buenos Aires it was time again to explore the city. The famous obelisk.
Again a nice lunch...
The famous "La Bonbonera" stadium, home club is Boca Juniors.
food choices were limited but ok for breakfast, cereals, muffins, bread, butter, jam, etc...
AA B.777
pre departure drink, only orange juice and water.
TAM A320 to GRU.
really nice LAN business cabin.
AirPlus A330, can the A330 do EZE to MAD nonstop?
Iberia A340 from MAD
minutes after takeoff
relaxing before the breakfast service.
For breakfast were 2 choices, omlette or ham and cheese plate, my wife had the omlette and myself the ham and cheese plate, both options were very good.
this time we had an express lunch, again 3 choices
steak, chicken or pasta... , my wife had the steak and myself the chicken, both options very good again!
chicken
steak
ginger ale
myself relaxing a little bit
already in Venezulean airspace
10 minutes away from Ccs, Vln airport
Puerto Cabello Port, todays most busiest Port in Venezuela
Nice beaches at Argua state.
already on finals into Ccs.
All in one I have to say that LAN is offering a real great Business product, only negative points are, on 4 hours flights the food should be served in courses, the staff should be more attentive (only 2 rounds of drinks and they should be more friendly to the customers) on all 6 flights the staff was very cold but professional.
Hope you enjoyed the report and I really appreciate your commends.
Directorguy From Egypt, joined Jul 2008, 1569 posts, RR: 12 Reply 1, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 14646 times:
Well done A++
You have put together a super trip report with great photos for every aspect of the trip.
LAN does seem like a good airline, if I ever fly within South America I'll give them a try! Although, it's a shame they don't do more with their soft product (their hard product, i.e. their seats look okay) and be more attentive to their passengers.
Thanks and glad you had a nice trip.
LH459 From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 886 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 14370 times:
Quoting Avianca (Thread starter): the staff should be more attentive (only 2 rounds of drinks and they should be more friendly to the customers) on all 6 flights the staff was very cold but professional.
I think both of your flights were operated by LP, right? In my experience, the LA (i.e. Chilean) crews are nicer than the LP (i.e. Peruvian) crews. This is somewhat incongruous, since service standards in Peru are generally high, but I've noticed it on several flights.
It was interesting to see the DC-10 parked in LIM is now all white. If it's the same a/c I'm thinking of, it used to show clear signs of the IB livery.
Saludos!
"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is temporary; the evil it does is permanent" - Ghandi
Quoting Rleiro (Reply 3): Superb trip report my friend.
thanks guys!
Quoting LH459 (Reply 4): I think both of your flights were operated by LP, right?
all flights on the 767 were operated by LP, the A320 within Argentina by 4M, and have to say these crews are even worse!
Quoting LH459 (Reply 4): It was interesting to see the DC-10 parked in LIM is now all white. If it's the same a/c I'm thinking of, it used to show clear signs of the IB livery.
I think the IB Dc-10 is already scraped, and the white DC-10 should be an ex or still current Cielos del Peru airplane.
Phlstudent From United States of America, joined exactly 7 years ago today! , 498 posts, RR: 8 Reply 7, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 13777 times:
I cannot get enough of the LAN Business trip reports. Their product looks amazing.
Were the seats as comfortable as they look? The duvet looks great as well.
Thanks for the report, and quite a steal at the price you paid!
Comeflywithme From Argentina, joined Sep 2006, 265 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (4 years 2 months 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 13471 times:
Fantastic trip report Avianca. Really enjoyed the pictures and glad to hear you had a super time in my adopted country.
I really must get down to El Calafate and see the Perrito Moreno glacier.
SCL767 From Chile, joined Feb 2006, 8271 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (4 years 2 months 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 13429 times:
Excellent TR! And nice pictures of El Calafate's glacier as well!
Quoting Avianca (Reply 6): all flights on the 767 were operated by LP,
Unfortunately, the LIM crews really need to improve their customer service standards on all LP operated flights. I too have found them to be rather cold; as compared to LAN Chile or LAN Ecuador where the crews are mostly friendly.
Avianca From Venezuela, joined Jan 2005, 5857 posts, RR: 40 Reply 12, posted (4 years 1 month 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 12285 times:
Quoting Phlstudent (Reply 7): Were the seats as comfortable as they look? The duvet looks great as well.
yes the seats and the duvet are really great! 1A!
Quoting Comeflywithme (Reply 8): I really must get down to El Calafate and see the Perrito Moreno glacier.
yes El Calafate is a must!
Quoting SCL767 (Reply 9): Unfortunately, the LIM crews really need to improve their customer service standards on all LP operated flights. I too have found them to be rather cold; as compared to LAN Chile or LAN Ecuador where the crews are mostly friendly.
interesting you mention this!
Quoting Edgaren (Reply 10): Excellent report but I cant manage to see the pics.
Quoting SAAB900 (Reply 11): I can't either! I've got the dreaded Bandwidth Exceeded!
DALCE From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1581 posts, RR: 7 Reply 14, posted (4 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 12121 times:
Hi Avianca!
What a great report which covers a great insight in the LAN product.
The C-class on those 767's looks great! I would vertainly not mind sitting in one of those seats for a couple of hours
Also great great pictures of both aviation and nature!
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Joost (D-ALCE)
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,AR1,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,AB6. Next flights AMS-ZRH-AMS on
MIAspotter From Spain, joined Nov 2001, 2273 posts, RR: 26 Reply 15, posted (4 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 12119 times:
Excellent TR!!!
Last time I flew LAN was like 10 years ago CCS-MIA and even back then their service was superb.
Nice pictures of Buenos Aires, My girlfriend is from Argentina and she is always on about how wonderful Baires is, I suppose a trip down there is on the books.
Quoting Avianca (Thread starter): Casa Rosada - from there the President is runing the country.
Linglesou From Australia, joined Apr 2009, 122 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (4 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 12065 times:
This is a wonderful trip report, congratulations! That glacier is simply amazing! I have an uncle from Chile and he too raves about LAN (he compares it to QANTAS ), I've always wanted to visit Buenos Aires...
yes it was and if you book it in Venezuela and you know to handel it it can costs as low as 500 USD !
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13): Anyway thank you for the wonderful photos of your trip. I think the scenery is magnificent!
thank you a lot !
Quoting DALCE (Reply 14): What a great report which covers a great insight in the LAN product.
The C-class on those 767's looks great! I would vertainly not mind sitting in one of those seats for a couple of hours
yes it is a great product! sadly LAN is only flying with Cargo Aircraft into AMS jeje
Quoting DALCE (Reply 14): Also great great pictures of both aviation and nature!
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
thanks a lot!
Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 15): Nice pictures of Buenos Aires, My girlfriend is from Argentina and she is always on about how wonderful Baires is, I suppose a trip down there is on the books.
o yes I love Buenos Aires - it is for me one of the best citys in SouthAmerica! streight behind Medellin!
jajajajajaj - yes I couldnt agree more! This girl (who is running the counrty) is really a shame for Argentina!
Quoting Linglesou (Reply 16): This is a wonderful trip report, congratulations! That glacier is simply amazing! I have an uncle from Chile and he too raves about LAN (he compares it to QANTAS ), I've always wanted to visit Buenos Aires...
thanks a lot! yes you should visit Buenos Aires very soon it is just great!
Avianca From Venezuela, joined Jan 2005, 5857 posts, RR: 40 Reply 21, posted (2 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 5906 times:
thanks a lot Suryo for the nice comments!
Pisco Sour
Served Straight up; without ice
Standard drinkware Old fashioned glass
Commonly used ingredients 2 fl oz (8 parts) Pisco
1 fl oz (4 parts) Lime juice
3/4 fl oz (3 part) Simple syrup
1 Egg white
1 dash Bitters
Preparation Shake hard or blend with ice and strain into glass. The bitters are an aromatic garnish topping the finished drink, put on top of pisco sour foam.
____
The Argentine choripán consists of a sausage made out of beef and pork, hot off the grill, split down the middle, and served on a roll.[8] The chorizo may be used whole or cut in half lengthwise, in which case it is called a mariposa (butterfly). It is customary to add sauces on the bread, most likely chimichurri.
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