Flight Number: LA 800 | Class: Business | Seat: 1A | Flight time: Approximately 15 hrs, including a two-hour stopover in Auckland | Reviewed by: Kelly Allen
Check In
What seemed to be a smooth and uneventful experience was later proven to be quite the opposite: my bag had accidentally been checked through to Peru, a destination I wouldn’t be arriving at until the following day. Luckily, Santiago ground staff were able to locate the bag before it left the airport and I was reunited with it after about 30 minutes. It was a good reminder to always double check the baggage-claim ticket.
Lounge
LATAM passengers have access to the Qantas Business Class lounge, which is very nice, though very busy. On the return flight, I enjoy the beautiful two-storey timber, stone and glass LATAM Lounge in Santiago. It’s huge and very stylish with entertainment rooms, quiet sleeping rooms, showers and a conference room. Oddly, there isn’t any hot food, only individual cold plates in a refrigerator and pre-packaged snacks.
Cabin
The premium business cabin on this Dreamliner has a 2-2-2 configuration with 30 seats across 10 rows.
Seat
I had window seat 1A. Despite having someone next to me, I was able to step around to get to the aisle easily enough. I always opt for the window seat for the views, and the descent into Santiago over the Andes was fantastic. Plus, I love the Dreamliner’s large touch-pad windows. Seats are 58-centremetres wide and lay flat to form a 185-centremetre bed. There are a range of storage options including cubbies and a large space under the padded ottoman where I store my daypack. The mattress pad, plush pillow and fluffy white doona guaranteed a very comfortable sleep. There is also a personal reading lamp, in-seat power and USB port, and pull-up privacy screen.
Service
The predominantly male flight attendants are friendly, and it is a nice touch when they thanked us individually for flying with them.
Food
I enjoy the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne prior to take off and some lovely Chilean and Argentinian wines are available during meal service. Dinner is good with salad to start followed by a parsnip and apple soup and a main of pappardelle with mussels, shrimp, capers and tomato. Dessert is vanilla flan with caramel sauce. Breakfast is ordered in advance, but my order of eggs and tea never fulfils its destiny. I am asleep when it arrives and had requested not to be disturbed.
Entertainment
More than 100 movies and TV shows and over 1000 music albums are available via the 39-centremetre touch screen. Controls are easy to navigate, and the route map has all of the helpful information. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided. Entertainment is available from start to finish, a nice touch if you are in a long take- off queue.
Highs
The genuine friendly flight attendants and wonderful fluffy doonas!
Lows
The baggage mix-up. Although it was corrected fairly easily, there was a 30-minute period of worry.
Overall Score
4/5 stars