LATAM Airlines Santiago-Melbourne flight review: better than expected
This international airline got all the important things right for a long-haul in economy: seating, food and service. I was pleasantly surprised.
This international airline got all the important things right for a long-haul in economy: seating, food and service. I was pleasantly surprised.
On the ground
Returning home from Cusco in Peru, this one-stop route is a no brainer, the alternative being four legs via Lima, Santiago and Auckland. And the five-hour transit in Santiago passes quickly. There’s no queue at transit security, where the guard bows as I go through. The airport’s wi-fi is woeful, and while that trusty standby Starbucks is closed, its wi-fi isn’t, remaining strong and consistent in the sleek Loyola cafe opposite, where my wife and I spend a few relaxed hours with fabulous coffee, Chilean chardonnay and delicious chicken, goat’s cheese and olive salad.
Take a seat
As it’s apparent the flight will be full, I pay just $22 each to lock in adjoining seats in the centre of the 3-3-3 layout so my wife and I will not hem in, nor be hemmed in by, other passengers, and to stay out of range of the bassinet row and toilet queues. Pillow, blanket and headphones are provided, and I have full-width legroom, a bonus given many planes’ seat frames are offset, rewarding certain passengers to the detriment of others. There’s a cup holder in the seatback.
Tech talk
The 30cm touch-screen display works well, the LATAM Play app being easy to use, although the thumbnails on the main menu are too small to make a confident viewing choice. And the screen doesn’t tilt, distorting the view when the passenger in front reclines their seat. A single USB-A socket is the only charging option. Wi-fi is non-existent.
On the menu
Dinner arrives at 2.10am, with a choice of pasta, beef or salmon. The penne with tomato, cheese and pumpkin seeds is tasty if a bit gluggy, but a warm focaccia is lovely and perfect for soaking up residue sauce. My wife rates her smoked salmon with quinoa, frisee lettuce, mayonnaise and cranberry crispbreads as one of the best dishes she’s had in the air. The meal is rounded off with Laughing Cow cheese and crackers plus a lovely chocolate dulce de leche. The Chilean wines are a full-flavoured chardonnay and a beautifully dry cabernet, and I am about to declare them the best economy wines in the sky when I recall that Air NZ pours Central Otago pinot noir. Mid-flight, my side is offered (very salty) crisps, a cookie or cereal bar; the other aisle’s choices are the crisps or a small chocolate. Breakfast arrives two hours out from Melbourne – a very good ham and cheese sandwich or omelette with rosti potatoes, and a delicious apple crumble and grapes.
That’s entertainment
Conclave is a good watch and Feud: Capote vs the Swans an enjoyable diversion. I also enjoy the classics, such as Chariots of Fire. Also engaging is the Flight Path app, which shows we’re taking the scenic route, edging along Antarctica for several hours.
At your service
Cabin crew are friendly and relaxed, and nothing seems any trouble.
In the bag
Economy allowances are 23kg for one checked bag, 12kg for a carry-on bag and a handbag allowance not far short of the carry-on. There’s plenty of overhead storage.
In the know
This flight runs three times a week, arriving Melbourne at 5.40am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Otherwise you go via Sydney, which on some days includes a stop in Auckland, where you can do a codeshare switch on Qantas to Melbourne.
Make your points
LATAM has its own loyalty program, LATAM Pass, but points can be credited to your Qantas account.
The bottom line
A one-way economy flight from Melbourne to Santiago is $US1484 ($2301) based on an airline website search two months from date of publication.
Verdict
LATAM got the important things right for a long-haul in economy: comfortable, uncompromised seating (and fair pricing for preferred seat selection), good luggage allowances, above-average catering and seamless service. After a few dozen trans-Pacific crossings with various carriers, my expectations weren’t high but this airline proved me wrong.
Jeremy Bourke was a guest of Inspiring Vacations.
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