back to the malbec land!
I was very lucky to go travelling 4 months in Latin America. I think this remains my best travel experience so far..
And it seems like I am the first one to report this route!
During our 4 months trip in Latin America, we went to a lot of places in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuator and Colombia.
Way out:
London - Paris CDG: Air France A320 report here
Paris CDG - Buenos Aires EZE: Air France Boeing 777-200 report here
Argentina
Iguazu - Buenos Aires AEP: Latam A320 report here
Buenos Aires AEP - Salta: Latam A320 report here
Salta - Cordoba: Aerolineas Argentinas B737-800 report here
Cordoba - Mendoza: Aerolineas Argentinas (Austral) E190 report here
Chile
Santiago - Antofagasta: Sky Airlines A320 report here
Peru
Lima - Iquitos: Viva Air A320 report here
Iquitos - Lima: Viva Air A320 report here
Nazca flights: Touristic bonus Report Here
Colombia
Medellin - San Andres: Latam A320 report here
San Andres - Cartagena: Latam A320 report here
Santa Marta - Bogota: Latam A320 report here
Way back
Bogota - Paris CDG: Air France B787-9 report here
Paris CDG - Londres Heathrow: Air France A318 report here
I chose Aerolineas Argentinas over LAN because it is part of Skyteam so I could claim miles,
Flying blue Miles earned with this flight: 188
Status earned: 2 XP
I used the brand new Aerolineas Argentinas to check in online for both if us.
The seat mapping of the plane is available on the app so you can choose when checkin is open.
at cordoba - ingeniero taravella airport
We arrived at Cordoba airport about 2 hours before to have plenty of time to drop the car we rented 2 weeks earlier. The aiport is small but very well organised, and so the whole process felt flawless.
There was barely anyone at the checkin counter so we headed directly there. The lady was efficient and professional, she saw on her system one of us had an extra luggage paid without me having to explain the status etc.
Despite our check in online and boarding pass ready on our app, she printed again our boarding pass.
We passed security very quickly and arrived at the departure zone, where our plane was already there.
Aircraft: Embraer E190AR
Registration: LV-CDY
Engines: 2x GECF34
ge: now 11 Years
Layout: C8 Y88
Observation: one of the first E190s to hve been received by Austral
onboard the e190
The AvGEEK bit
Aerolineas Argentinas has drastically grown (57%) since its re-nationalisation -that’s for my friends who believe privatisation is the key to everything :P With the help of Delta and Air France, the airline joined Skyteam in 2012. The airline offers 56 destinations and has carried 18millions last year from both of its hubs- Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newberry and Ministero Pistarini airport. Aerolineas Argentinas has a fleet of 39 B737s for its domestic and regional flights, and has been receiving B737Max – 5 of them are currently operated with a further 8 on order.
We quickly walked through the jetway to reach the plane, and after usual welcome from the crew, our seats.
The crew seemed nice as they were smiling at multiple occasions. After push back we had the regular announce by the captain the safety procedures explained manually by the crew.
The good thing with this E190 is that each seat is quite comfy and equipped with IFE..
We were taxiing for a very very short time - litterally 2 min as the plane turned a bit right, a bit left and the edge of the runway was there.
We took off very smoothly
Good bye cloudy Cordoba..
Passing 10,000 feets offered a very spectacular view…
Look at these beautiful clouds
And the crew started the complimentary service… Discreet pocture coming back from the toilets..
Shame the coffee are served in these very plastic-y cups..
Time for the magazine review of Aerolineas Argentinas and regional company Austral. Alta magasine on board; that had a very good amount of travel articles, a few adds and a good presentation of the airline.
Article about Iguazu..
And the other national sport here is…
Aerolineas Argentinas network towards Europe..
And look carefully at the domestic routes… the Falkland islands/Islas Malvinas are in there!
And finally the fleet section, with the good old A340 that has been retired since..
The captain did a smooth landing a Mendoza..
at mendoza - governor gabrielli airport
We parked at a gate with a jetway..
With the view on a fellow E190 of the fleet..
reclaiming my luggage was actually very fast.
And so we were ready for some good wine tasting!
what an experience!
And for the stamp collection!
