SJC – DFW – SCL – EZE
Hola Argentina!
My American Airlines flight from San Jose to Dallas to Santiago was smooth and thankfully uneventful. The flight is conveniently scheduled after 9:30pm, allowing passengers to sleep after dinner service. I chose a rather sad beef and mash potato meal that looked completely unappealing. What disappointed me about the American Airlines flight were the amenities – or lack thereof – offered to its coach passengers. High on my list of complaints is the lack of video players behind our seats in coach. I couldn’t believe that we didn’t have personal video players, especially given the length of the flight to Santiago! Our movie option – and the not best one at that – Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel – played on small screens positioned on the ceilings. The movie and the mode of viewing are enough to make anyone mad. Eleven or 12 channels of music rounded out the entertainment options. More shocking was the charge of $7 for wine! I’ve flown many international flights and don’t ever recall paying for a cocktail, beer, or wine. The overall aesthetics of the flight desperately needs help. The whole experience left me unimpressed. On a sidenote: For those who want a fantastic view of the sunrise behind the Andes mountains, I recommend a window seat on the left side of the plane (I had a window seat on the right).
I had a four hour layover in the Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, much of it eaten up by the immigration line. Andreas informed me that I would have to pay a reciprocity fee of $140, which is the amount charged by the U.S. to Chilean travelers, so I kept an eye out for signs directing me to do so. The line that I got into, however, was the immigration line, which is where I thought I could pay the fee. I was wrong. After thirty minutes in line, I was told by the immigration officer to pay the reciprocity fee at another location in the extreme left-hand corner of vast room (credit cards accepted). The reciprocity payment/ stamp that I received is good for the life of my passport. My plane’s arrival into Santiago also coincides with 8 or more other flights arriving roughly at the same time (poor planning?), so the immigration lines gets fairly long and their movements very slow. Note: My flight to Buenos Aires was technically not a transfer since I had to claim my baggage and recheck myself in for my LAN flight. For transfers to other countries as part of a single itinerary, the reciprocity fee doesn’t apply.
The Santiago airport is ok – nothing special. I wound up eating lunch at Ruby Tuesday, much to my disappointment. I did this for two reasons: (1) I was famished and the bacon cheeseburger burger jumped out at me from the menu and (2) I suspected it accepted credit cards (and it did). For those who need their coffee fix, the international departure’s wing has a Starbucks (in the direction of Gate 12). Andreas had mentioned that the airport did not have Wi-Fi, but I discovered an unsecured connection for LAN’s VIP Lounge near Gate 18. My Macbook was able to pick it up, and it was strong enough for me to have a video Skype session with Andreas. It made all the difference being able to e-mail and surf the Web while waiting for my next flight.
My LAN flight to Buenos Aires was the complete opposite of the American Airlines flight. Where the interior aesthetics of American Airlines looked dated and frumpy, LAN’s interior is fresh and clean. The staff’s clothing is as sleek and modern as the plane’s interior. Alcoholic beverages are complimentary! And each of the seats in coach had its own personal video devices with a library of over 100 CDs and many movies and TV shows. There were hardly any passengers on the flight, so it felt very exclusive even in coach. I highly suggest a window seat on either side of the plane, since you won’t want to miss the spectacular views of the Andes.
The flight into Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) is a quick one, at a little under 2 hours. Argentina also charges a reciprocity fee of $140 and is good for ten years. While these fees might seem ridiculous, keep in mind the U.S. charges Argentines and Chileans the equivalent in fees for visas to visit the United States. So to me, it only seems fair. Also note, if you are crossing into Chile or Argentina by other means (land and sea) and not through SCL or EZE, you will not be charged the reciprocity fee.
So after paying close to $280 in reciprocity fees and over $100 in overweight fees, including over 24 hours of travel, I made it finally to Buenos Aires. John, the owner of the apartment rental agency, picked me up at the airport and whisked me towards the heart of city.
