LAN Airlines

New aircraft but there ends the positives. LAN Airlines website is very poor and online check-in clunky. I would suggest that LAN scraps its poor website and keeps up with the rest of the OneWorld alliance. At present it is a poor relative. Bag drop was not a pleasant experience; rude staff who were not interested. Boarding was shambolic also. Plane dirty with food from previous flight on tray table. Food and drinks service was also pretty hit and miss. Getting off the plane also took an age.

A LAN Airlines long haul flight from Santiago to Sydney via Auckland that was surprisingly good. Once I worked out how to use flight entertainment, it was easy. Seats were comfortable although somewhat squeezy. Food surprisingly good for airline food and real glass, ceramic dish and metal cutlery were provided. Flight attendants were polite and helpful. Toilets were kept in check.

I was supposed to fly LAN Airlines from EZE to BOG via LIM. Departure time was scheduled for 0755 with a quick connection in LIM for a 1530 ETA into BOG. Flight was cancelled due to unknown reasons (indicated mechanical issues). LAN's ground staff was extraordinarily incompetent, and uninterested in providing answers and solutions. The LAN staff at the VIP lounge tried to help but were instructed by a "supervisor" to send us all to the check-in area as no one else could help us. All pax were forced to "enter" the country again and were submitted to immigration and customs procedures, to go back to the check-in counter to "see if there were other flights" to offer. We were sent to hotels to spend the full day as, In my particular case, my new flight was scheduled to 2100 via SCL for an arrival into BOG of 0500 the next day (13 hours later than scheduled).

LAN Airlines Boeing 787 was a nice aircraft and the flight crew were good, but an extremely poor seat configuration in economy - resulting in a tortuous flight for a lightly tall person (183 cm). I could not sit straight in my window seat and could not stretch my legs at all. My knees jammed into the seat in front even with the seats upright and became very squashed when the front seat was reclined. I have flown this route many times (10 over the last 10 years) and this was my first flight on the Boeing 787 and it was a huge disappointment due to the cramped seating arrangement. I heard many others on the flight saying it was the most cramped they had ever been! Other flights with LAN's previous aircraft on this route were always pretty good - this one was not! This plane is a torture chamber for a long haul flight! My next flight to Chile will be with Qantas.

LAN had the best times for my travel needs. Flights were on time, plenty of legroom in coach, very comfortable recline in seats, ample personal entertainment on TV, decent food options, attentive staff, a bag on each seat with blanket/pillow/eye mask/ear plugs/water. I managed to get a decent amount of sleep on the long haul leg between JFK and Lima. All of my baggage arrived without trouble. I only speak a little Spanish and I would attempt to communicate; staff also speak English and were friendly and helpful. I will add this tip, and it is more about the Lima transfer than LAN : when you transfer in Lima, you must collect baggage and recheck it for continuing flights. You need to exit the airport, re-enter (just around a corner), and navigate a maze of lines with little indication as of the correct line. Make sure you have ample time between connections. I had 2.5 hours and it was just enough time.

The plane was late both ways from Cusco to Lima and return also. We were at the airport for over 5 hours and we missed connecting with our party to take the tour which cost us additional money. They had a flight to Cusco, which was scheduled to leave after our flight, but they did not put us on it. No reason given. You are never told when you will be able to leave, they leave you waiting without any communication.

Flew from Santiago de Chile to Easter Island and back and from Santiago to Frankfurt, Germany in Business Class on Boeing 767 and Boeing 787. On all of the flights, announcements in the boarding area were in Spanish only, even at an International flight. Inflight reading material (Newspapers, Magazines) as well only in Spanish. Flight to Easter Island was very poor service, for almost 6 hours flight - 1 Omelette and that not of any decent quality. No additional offers of anything. Cabin crew enjoyed apparently their free time. On return flight and the intercontinental flight, service was good.

LIM-SCL Economy. Overbooked flight some of us were left out. No LAN lounge at this airport using the airport one. Good options for snacks and drinks. Boarding by rows by they left us almost 20 min on the bridge waiting to board. Plane ok good legroon in economy nice FA and service on this 3hr flight to Chile. They serve a full meal and drinks. Movie on the overhead screens. Once in Santiago bags short on belt.

Flew on LA801 from SCL to SYD on 2/6/15. On the outside LAN's 787-9 is a beautiful aircraft! On the inside though it is too cramped for a long haul service. The 3x4x3 configuration is reasonable however the seats are too close together. Pax taller than 1.8 metres and longer legs suffer all the way. Larger pax also do not fit in the narrow seats comfortably. For dinner in the absence of a vegetarian option I was offered Ravioli with nothing inside and very little tomato sauce for breakfast a cold ham and cheese sandwich accompanied by a cup of cold "coffee"? No cheese only sandwich a suitable vegetarian option was also not available. Someone spent so much money on the latest aircraft and forgot to put together a decent menu to feed its cramped passengers. What's the story with Spanish speaking South American crews - no humour I thought this was isolated to Aerolineas Argentinas but LAN's crew suffers from the same thing. Flying Emirates next time.

LA501 connecting to LA750 on 10 May - MIA-SCL-GRU. Both 787's (actually was the same plane for both flights) in good shape and excellent flight. Flown LAN many times and this time the crew was good but lacked the warmth I had on other flights. They did one drink run (as stated in a previous review) but if you needed anything just ring the call button. They come immediately and happy to get you what you want. Dinner was excellent - delicious soup and cheeses entree of shrimp and veggies. Slept thru breakfast so can't comment. LAN Biz seats are the best - I always can sleep 5 hours easily on them. Quick 1 hour connection in SCL - security check took a minute if not less. Almost 3 hour flight to Sao Paulo - 1/2 filled cabin. Friendly service and they left you alone to sleep if needed. Tasty breakfast and good movies to watch. Had an aborted landing so landed a bit late - bag was last off the plane (even with priority tags) but was just glad to get it. Overall a good trip - I would just say I wish their TV shows were more than 1-2 episodes; for a 8-10 hour trip you would enjoy to see 6-10 episodes available. Too bad they don't fly from ORD directly.