Doing the opposite trip in December with Air New Zealand - EZE->AKL->BNE.
The Air New Zealand 787 has a great 1-1-1 seat configuration on the main leg, and looks to have a great wine list as well. I picked it up relatively cheaply as part of a round the world trip ($6k BNE->SYD->DEL->FRA->LIS->GRU->EZE->AKL->BNE) so I'm not sure what the costs are like for a return trip.
Your other bet is LATAM/Qantas via Santiago. Latam's product is good, though Qantas' is dated on that route. I think LATAM might also stop in Auckland.
Other luxurious options would be Qatar/Emirates via the Middle East, but that is a ridiculous detour.
Only 2 options to get there as i'm also looking at SA for next year from AU. Also depends which alliance you want to credit this trip to vs in flight product.
Via QF/LATAM: SYD/MEL -> SCL -> EZE (both hard products are similar 2-2-2 config - although with Latam you get the new 789 vs QF on the 747)
Via Air NZ: SYD/MEL -> AKL-> EZE (1-1-1 herringbone config)
Flown this route from SYD many times via LAN, Aerolineas (when they used to fly to SYD, I still have nightmares about their aircraft) and Qantas.
My personal preference is Qantas on the 747 as it's a straight hop to SCL then connect to anything headed to AEP or EZE (AEP makes for easier transit to down town in Buenos Aires IMO). I prefer this route rather than LAN which is SYD-AKL-SCL-EZE/AEP.
It's really about what preference you want in relation to alliance and hard product, I would say LAN with 787 would probably be the best of the 3 options if you don't mind the stop in AKL. Service as with most South American airlines is generally OK in J and hit and miss in Y, don't expect anything out of this world on that side of things.
seems that everyone is tipping for an 'eastward' journey ex ADL, with either QF/LAN or NZ (all good choices). Since you've not indicated your primary FF preference or how 'time-specific' your trip is, here are some additional, different suggestions:
If your primary FF card is with Virgin, you have the option of flying ADL-PER on VA, then VA partner SAA PER-JNB and SAA from JNB to GRU (Sao Paulo Brasil), connecting to EZE on any number of carriers of your choice.
Another option is QF/EK to DXB (Dubai) and then EK either direct to EZE or, alternatively via GRU.
Finally, you could also connect through LAX (QF/AA) or JFK (QF/AA or AR).
I use Air NZ from BNE. Even if you flew LATAM you have to fly through Santiago as well as another stopover. At least with Air NZ you can fly ADL/AKL/EZE.
Do note with Air NZ that unless you join their FF (Airpoint $) system, you won't earn any VFF points past NZ to South America.
So yes, the 787 on some days from ADL - AKL direct is good, and from AKL to EZE bypassing MEL/SYD/BNE, but you have to join Airpoint $ to make it worthwhile.
VFF has made a change that flying on any route, that is apart from TT on (Air) NZ, no VFF points, worst no VFF SC!
Do note with Air NZ that unless you join their FF (Airpoint $) system, you won't earn any VFF points past NZ to South America.
So yes, the 787 on some days from ADL - AKL direct is good, and from AKL to EZE bypassing MEL/SYD/BNE, but you have to join Airpoint $ to make it worthwhile.
VFF has made a change that flying on any route, that is apart from TT on (Air) NZ, no VFF points, worst no VFF SC!
Last edited
by Andrew Barkery at Sep 11, 2017, 11.04 PM.
Once Velocity's changes come in re: Air NZ, you'd probably be better off
joining Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (SQ being a Star Alliance partner
of Air NZ) and earning KrisFlyer miles, which can then be converted into
Velocity points. Doesn't help you earn Velocity status, though, but
gets you the points at least, without having to touch Airpoints.
One lesson that I learned (the hard way) is that domestic flights in South America are very expensive - far more expensive than you may be expecting.
A major consideration here should be whether and where you are intending to fly onwards from Buenos Aires. If, for example, you are flying a few days later to Iguazu, and perhaps then flying back to Buenos Aires after that, I very strongly recommend you investigate adding them to your itinerary and booking them all as a single booking. There are substantial savings to be had rather than booking your flight to BA then booking your internals separately.
jimmy0210
jimmy0210
Member since 04 Aug 2016
Total posts 4
Hi All,
I am looking to travel late next year to Buenos Aires.Â
What would you consider some decent options for getting there in J?Â
Based in Adelaide, however don't mind departing from other cities in Aus!
Thanks in advance :)
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 181
Doing the opposite trip in December with Air New Zealand - EZE->AKL->BNE.
The Air New Zealand 787 has a great 1-1-1 seat configuration on the main leg, and looks to have a great wine list as well. I picked it up relatively cheaply as part of a round the world trip ($6k BNE->SYD->DEL->FRA->LIS->GRU->EZE->AKL->BNE) so I'm not sure what the costs are like for a return trip.
Your other bet is LATAM/Qantas via Santiago. Latam's product is good, though Qantas' is dated on that route. I think LATAM might also stop in Auckland.
Other luxurious options would be Qatar/Emirates via the Middle East, but that is a ridiculous detour.
Covo95
Covo95
Member since 30 Jul 2015
Total posts 52
aerolineas argentinas used to fly to sydney via auckland from Buenos Aires but not anymore :(
victort
victort
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Feb 2017
Total posts 77
Via QF/LATAM: SYD/MEL -> SCL -> EZE (both hard products are similar 2-2-2 config - although with Latam you get the new 789 vs QF on the 747)
Mjudd
Mjudd
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Dec 2016
Total posts 57
Air NZ is your best bet, as it is the only option that has 1 stop from Adelaide to BA
shak
shak
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 20 Oct 2016
Total posts 3
Air NZ is a good product, flew last year June in Premium Economy... comfortable seats, good food/service and auckland airport is a breeze
iflyineconomy
iflyineconomy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 Jul 2017
Total posts 8
Flown this route from SYD many times via LAN, Aerolineas (when they used to fly to SYD, I still have nightmares about their aircraft) and Qantas.
My personal preference is Qantas on the 747 as it's a straight hop to SCL then connect to anything headed to AEP or EZE (AEP makes for easier transit to down town in Buenos Aires IMO). I prefer this route rather than LAN which is SYD-AKL-SCL-EZE/AEP.
It's really about what preference you want in relation to alliance and hard product, I would say LAN with 787 would probably be the best of the 3 options if you don't mind the stop in AKL. Service as with most South American airlines is generally OK in J and hit and miss in Y, don't expect anything out of this world on that side of things.
aldrigsomandre
aldrigsomandre
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 31 Aug 2015
Total posts 86
Air NZ would get my vote too. Tried and tested, would recommend it.
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
@jimmy0210,
seems that everyone is tipping for an 'eastward' journey ex ADL, with either QF/LAN or NZ (all good choices). Since you've not indicated your primary FF preference or how 'time-specific' your trip is, here are some additional, different suggestions:
StuParr
StuParr
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 01 Mar 2012
Total posts 203
I use Air NZ from BNE. Even if you flew LATAM you have to fly through Santiago as well as another stopover. At least with Air NZ you can fly ADL/AKL/EZE.
MelbFlyer
MelbFlyer
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 23 May 2013
Total posts 25
Remember Air NZ is switching some of their ADL-AKL flights so the 787 so you may be lucky and get the Dreamliner the whole way!
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
Do note with Air NZ that unless you join their FF (Airpoint $) system, you won't earn any VFF points past NZ to South America.
So yes, the 787 on some days from ADL - AKL direct is good, and from AKL to EZE bypassing MEL/SYD/BNE, but you have to join Airpoint $ to make it worthwhile.
VFF has made a change that flying on any route, that is apart from TT on (Air) NZ, no VFF points, worst no VFF SC!
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
Flying even on transit via the US needs you get an ESTA with a fee of USD$14!
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
So yes, the 787 on some days from ADL - AKL direct is good, and from AKL to EZE bypassing MEL/SYD/BNE, but you have to join Airpoint $ to make it worthwhile.
VFF has made a change that flying on any route, that is apart from TT on (Air) NZ, no VFF points, worst no VFF SC!
Once Velocity's changes come in re: Air NZ, you'd probably be better off joining Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (SQ being a Star Alliance partner of Air NZ) and earning KrisFlyer miles, which can then be converted into Velocity points. Doesn't help you earn Velocity status, though, but gets you the points at least, without having to touch Airpoints.
muzzamo
muzzamo
Member since 06 May 2013
Total posts 1
One lesson that I learned (the hard way) is that domestic flights in South America are very expensive - far more expensive than you may be expecting.