Planning
International flights
We sell scheduled economy, business and first class fares from the UK to all Latin American destinations. These are special discounted fares for tour operators and we are not permitted to sell them without land arrangements. Prices, frequencies and restrictions vary so we suggest you contact us to check availability and the latest offers.
We do not sell flights on their own.
Air passes
Some national airlines and alliances operate an air pass system, which can offer considerable savings compared to the cost of individual flights. All must be bought before travel, outside the country, usually in conjunction with international flights.
Airlines
These are the principal airlines serving Latin America from Europe:
- Aerolineas Argentinas (AR)
Although Aerolineas do not offer a convenient service from the UK (routing via Madrid or Rome), domestically they cover much of Argentina and also have connections to neighbouring countries. They offer Economy and Business (Club Cóndor, with 180-degree reclining seats) classes and are a Skyteam alliance member. - AeroMexico (AM)
AeroMexico fly overnight to Mexico City on their Dreamliner 787 and have connecting flights to a large number of other cities in Mexico as well as elsewhere in Central and South America. AeroMexico is a Skyteam alliance member and has 180-degree reclining seats that lie flat in Business class. - Air Europa (UX)
Air Europa is the second-largest Spanish airline and is a member of the Skyteam alliance. Their network to Latin America (via Madrid) is expanding and they have some excellent value fares. The network includes Buenos Aires (Argentina), Quito (Ecuador), Havana (Cuba), Lima (Peru), Mexico City, Montevideo (Uruguay), Salvador de Bahia and São Paulo (Brazil), Asunción (Paraguay) and Santa Cruz (Bolivia). Business class (Business Club) is offered on certain routes, with 180-degree reclining seats. They are owned by IAG (owners of Iberia and British Airways). - Air France (AF)
A good choice of airline for flights from regional airports in the UK with a change of plane at Charles de Gaulle, Paris. Air France is a Skyteam alliance member and is combinable with KLM. They offer Economy, Premium Economy, Business (with 180-degree reclining seats) and First (La Première, with flat beds) classes. - American Airlines (AA)
Routing via Miami, where plenty of time must be allowed for connections, and a visa waiver (ESTA) must be obtained in advance of travel. American Airlines is a Oneworld alliance member. With 180-degree reclining seats that lie flat on some aircraft in Business Class. - Avianca (AV)
Non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Bogotá, Colombia, flying in their 787 Dreamliner. They have connecting flights to a large number of other cities in Colombia as well as to other cities in Central and South America. They offer economy and business classes (business class with 180-degree reclining seats that lie flat). - British Airways (BA)
British Airways have a good reputation for service and they offer cost-effective direct routes to Buenos Aires, Santiago, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Cancún, Mexico City and San José (Costa Rica). They offer three (sometimes four) levels of service – Economy (World Traveller), Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus), Business (Club World, with 180-degree reclining seats that lie flat) and First (on a few routes). They are a Oneworld alliance member and are owned by IAG (owners of Iberia). See more airline-provided information » - Caribbean Airlines (BW)
Caribbean Airlines offer flights from London Gatwick to Trinidad with onward connections to Paramaribo in Suriname and Georgetown in Guyana. A stopover in Trinidad is permitted in each direction. Business class has flat beds. - Iberia Airlines (IB)
Although Iberia do not always offer the best service, their network covers much of Latin America (via Madrid), and their fares are very competitive, especially in Business class (with 180-degree reclining seats that lie flat). They also have some of the shortest journey times. They are a oneworld alliance member and are owned by IAG (owners of British Airways). - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL)
A good choice of airline for flights from regional airports in the UK with a change of plane in Amsterdam. KLM is a Skyteam alliance member and combinable with Air France. They offer Economy and Business classes (with 180-degree reclining seats that lie flat) and Premium Economy seats are possible at extra charge. - LATAM (LA)
LATAM offer a good service in Economy and Business class (with 180-degree reclining seats that lie flat), to a number of destinations in South America (via São Paulo or Madrid), and domestic connections within Brazil. They have an airpass for travel within South America, with more favourable rates if also flying internationally with LATAM, and some regional connections have a Premium Economy or Business class cabin too. Flights from Easter Island continue to Papeete for those doing a round the world journey. LATAM was formed when LAN (ex-LAN Chile) and TAM (Brazil) merged, and is a Oneworld alliance member. - TAP Air Portugal (TP)
A good choice of airline for those focussing on Brazil, particularly the north-east, with flights via Lisbon. The airline fly non-stop from Lisbon to Salvador, Fortaleza, Recife, Natal and Belem in the north-east, and Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Rio, São Paulo and Porto Alegre further south. They offer Economy and Business class (with 180-degree reclining seats). - United Airlines (UA)
A good choice of airline for flights from regional airports in the UK. Flights route via Houston (where you do not need to go through customs, but do go through immigration) or Newark. Excellent onward connections to Mexico and Central America and also a few to South America. A visa waiver (ESTA) must be obtained in advance of travel. Premium Economy (Economy Plus) seats offering up to 5 inches of additional legroom are possible at extra charge when choosing seats or at check-in (subject to availability). - Virgin Atlantic (VS)
Offering three levels of service to Havana (Cuba), Cancún (Mexico) and São Paulo (Brazil) - Economy, Premium Economy (with on average an additional 7 inches of legroom) and Business (Upper Class with 180-degree reclining seats that lie flat) from London Gatwick.
Air passes
These are the principal air passes available for Latin America:
- GOL Brazil Airpass
For travel within Brazil on routes operated by Gol, in economy class. Valid for non-residents of Brazil who are holders of an international return ticket arriving into Brazil. A maximum of 9 flights are permitted on the airpass. - GOL South America Airpass
For travel within South America on routes operated by Gol, in economy class. Valid for non-residents of South America who are holders of an international return ticket arriving into Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and/or Uruguay. A maximum of 9 flights are permitted on the airpass. - LATAM South American Airpass
For travel within South America on routes operated by LATAM. Valid for non-residents of South America who are holders of an international return ticket to South America on LATAM. A minimum of 1 and a maximum of 16 flights are permitted on the airpass. - Visit Argentina Air Pass
For travel within Argentina on routes operated by Aerolineas Argentinas, in economy class. Valid for non-residents of Argentina who are holders of an international return ticket arriving into Argentina, on any airline. A minimum of 1 and a maximum of 16 internal flights are permitted on the pass. The pass must be paid for at least 21 days before the first flight departure.