AIRLINE: LAN AIRLINES
FLIGHT NUMBER: LA800
AIRCRAFT: LAN BOEING 787-9 DREAMLINER
ROUTE: SYDNEY TO SANTIAGO (VIA AUCKLAND)
SEATING: PREMIUM BUSINESS CLASS
FLIGHT TIME: 15 HOURS INCLUDING SHORT STOPOVER IN AUCKLAND
SKYTRAX AIRLINE STAR RATING: 3 STARS
THE CABIN
30 Premium Business Class seats in a 2 x 2 x 2 configuration.
CHECKING IN
Strikes are scheduled on the morning we arrive at Sydney airport, but they don’t seem to affect our transfer through check-in, security or immigration, which is a smooth and standard affair. Worth special note on the return flight from Santiago is the airline’s preferential check-in area that sees LAN and TAM preferred passengers through the airport in a matter of minutes. 10/10
WHICH LOUNGE DID YOU VISIT ON DEPARTURE
In Sydney and Auckland, LAN preferred passengers have access to the Qantas lounge. In Santiago, LAN and TAM’s VIP lounge is the largest in South America and doesn’t skimp on the creature comforts. 9/10
ALCOHOL
Pre-take off, treat yourself to a glass of the award-winning Louis Roederer Brut. Not to be missed at dinner is the Tres Palacios 2012 Carménère. This particular varietal is considered part of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux, France. It came to Chile in the 19th century by happy accident when cuttings were confused with merlot and has since become a national favourite.
MEALS
Breakfast is an omelette with herb-roasted tomatoes and potatoes, fresh fruit and almost every kind of bread imaginable. Dinner is a light and delicious zucchini soup to start, followed by grilled streak with pepper sauce, sweet potato gratin and sautéed vegetables.
SPACE
Massage seats lie completely flat. Windows are 40 per cent larger than the previous model, which allows for spectacular views of the Andes coming into Santiago.
AMENITIES KIT
Yes. Salvatore Ferragamo.
PYJAMAS OR NOT
No.
ENTERTAINMENT
More than 100 movies including new releases, classics and movies from Latin America as well as more than 1,000 complete music albums.
QUALITY OF HEADPHONES
Noise-cancelling headphones with decent sound. Mind you, there’s actually not a lot of noise to be cancelled on these planes. 9/10
BATHROOM
Clean and comfortable bathrooms with modern design. 8/10
BAGGAGE
Business class passengers have three checked-in pieces at 23kg each. Excess of up to 32kg is charged at US$100. Passengers can take one piece of baggage up to 16kg and one personal item on board, with overhead luggage compartments 30 per cent larger than the previous 787 model.
LOYALTY PROGRAM
LANPASS loyalty program. LAN and TAM airlines are part of the oneworld Alliance. Any passengers travelling oneworld receive the benefits of the program.
GRIPES
None!