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This is one of KLM’s fifth freedom flights that runs 7x a week between Buenos Aires and Santiago. I had to go to Chile for business. When considering all the options, I was not only curious to try KLM’s service on this route and compare it to the long-haul version, but I also saw that there was a lot of availability on these flights with EuroBonus points. At a great rate, given that EB still has a region-based award chart, you can pretty much travel across the entire South America for the same price.
In This Article
How I Booked This Flight
I booked this trip round trip using 30,000 EuroBonus points + ~1500 SEK in taxes ($150 USD). I was excited when I saw a lot of availability in this route, and it was actually the first use of my points earned from the EuroBonus Millionaire challenge, as I’ve been struggling to find good seats and availability from deep South America. Considering that the cash price is typically over ~USD 900, this was a good redemption.
Pro Tip: Excellent Award Value
This fifth-freedom route is a sweet spot for award travel. At just 30,000 EuroBonus points for a round trip versus a cash price of $920+, it represents fantastic value. Region-based award charts like SAS EuroBonus are perfect for maximizing short-haul international flights like this one.
Flight Summary
Check-In
Since this was an international flight departing at 7 am, I had to be at the airport quite early. The new International Terminal (B) at Ezeiza is spacious, well-designed, and beautiful. I arrived around 4:30, and even though there was activity, the airport felt quiet and peaceful.
I went straight to the check-in lines, which, to my surprise, were empty: most people checked in later. I used the SkyPriority lane anyway, and in under 5 minutes, my bags were checked, and I had my boarding passes ready. After that, I headed to security which was also fast (~7 min).
Lounge
As a passenger in World Business Class, you have access to the Aerolíneas Argentinas Lounge close to Gate 15 (Terminal C). Other lounges, such as the American Express Centurion Lounge, open much later, so there are essentially no other options. The Aerolíneas Argentinas lounge is basic and big, but it was also quiet and empty. It does the job to get a quick coffee and snack before boarding.
Boarding
I went to the gate at boarding time and took a few pictures of the 787-9, which was getting ready for the flight. The boarding queue was quiet, and the gate agents were friendly and helpful. They checked all the documents before boarding started, so then it went very smoothly.
Cabin & Seat
I had seat 7A on the left side of the plane. We boarded through one of the central gates, which is more comfortable as it leaves the Business Class cabin to the left. As you walk in, the World Business Class cabin looks fresh and pleasant. It had been a long time since I last flew this cabin, and now that I’ve flown it again, it can feel a bit crowded if you pay attention to the number of seats, especially when comparing it to the new business class cabins being launched these days. Most modern cabins also have lots of seats but are larger and more private (e.g., JAL’s New Qsuites, Lufthansa’s Allegris).
That aside, these cocoons are still a strong contender, with a decent level of privacy and comfortable space around them. Some tall individuals may struggle with the length of the footrest and seat.
Key Takeaways: The KLM 787 Seat
- A Solid Product: KLM’s reverse herringbone seats remain a strong contender, offering direct aisle access and good privacy for every passenger.
- Slightly Dated Layout: While comfortable, the 1-2-1 configuration can feel a bit dense compared to the latest, more spacious business class cabins.
- A Heads-Up for Taller Flyers: Some taller individuals might find the footwell and overall seat length a bit restrictive when in lie-flat mode.
While the cabin was getting ready, only a few other passengers boarded in Business Class (5-6). The occupancy factor is not as high on this leg given that most people disembark in Buenos Aires, AMS-EZE is the main route. I expect the return leg (SCL-EZE) to be more full.
At the seat, there’s a bottle of water and headphones inside the storage space compartment. There’s also a pocket with magazines and a safety card.
A few moments after all Business Class passengers were boarded, the crew passed around handing out a welcome drink (water, juice, champagne, or Heineken beer) and two menu cards, one for drinks and the other with the meals.
Takeoff
The entire boarding process took longer than planned, and even though we departed ~15 minutes late, the flight was scheduled to arrive early at Santiago. The cabin was dimmed for takeoff, which was beautiful with the dawn colors (full video below).
IFE
The IFE is still solid and remains modern. The screen is big, responsive, bright, and the movie selection is fresh. The only drawback was that my equipment had an issue that would pause automatically and show the on-screen controls every 5 minutes or so, which was annoying. I didn’t care so much as this flight was short.
The headphones are sturdy and work great. I loved the magnetic connector, which makes it much simpler to use, but you need to be careful not to pull it off accidentally.
WiFi
KLM offers WiFi onboard with several packages to choose from. It’s straightforward to get connected, and once you access the login portal, you can select from the following packages: Message Pass (Free), Surf Pass (€ 10 for 1 hour, € 22 for full flight), and Stream Pass (€ 38 for full flight).
Breakfast
Shortly after takeoff the crew started the breakfast service. There was only one option which was an (extremely salty) spinach frittata, along with some fruits, bread and macaroons. I also got some coffee and water. The service was correct for such a short flight.
Lavatory
Right after breakfast and before landing, I paid a quick visit to the front lavatory, which is the same one assigned to the crew and pilots. There’s none at the rear of the cabin, so Business Class passengers have 2 toilets available.
The toilet is small and standard. One wall is decorated with Delft Houses, featuring a nice tulip detail, and it also includes hand gel, hand lotion, and face mist. The crew kept it clean and fresh.
On my way back I walked around the beautiful cabin.
Arrival
One of the most stunning things about this flight is to cross over the mountains right before the final approach. It takes about 20 minutes, and on clear days, you get stunning views of the Andes mountains. This is also one of the top 5 most turbulent routes of South America due to strong winds. The view during the approach was magnificent, and the early winter morning colors shined through.
Heads Up: Expect Turbulence
The flight path directly over the Andes mountains is famously scenic but also notoriously turbulent. The 20-minute crossing before descent into Santiago is known for strong winds, so expect a bumpy ride. The incredible views are worth it, but keep that seatbelt fastened!
The landing was smooth and on time. The 787 is so soft that we almost didn’t feel the touchdown. After a short 5-minute taxi time, the plane was already at the gate and ready for deplaning. Kudos to the efficient team at SCL; everything was very smooth.
Do You Get a Delft House on This Route?
The answer is… yes! You do get a Delft House on every KLM international flight. This is one of the shortest flights where you get one of these houses. I was expectant to this moment and was very curious to see if this was one of the areas where KLM was cutting down on the service, as you see with other items such as the amenity kit and blanket.
The Big Question: What About the Delft House?
Yes, you get the iconic blue Delft House, even on this short 2-hour fifth-freedom flight! This is a fantastic and surprising perk, as many airlines cut back on amenities for shorter routes. It makes this flight one of the shortest international sectors where you can add to your collection.
Final Verdict: Is KLM’s EZE-SCL Flight Worth It?
For anyone traveling between Buenos Aires and Santiago, choosing KLM’s fifth-freedom flight is a brilliant move, especially if you can book it with points. You get a true long-haul, lie-flat business class experience on a flight that is typically served by standard recliner seats on narrow-body jets. The service is excellent, the hard product is solid, and the unique perk of receiving a Delft House makes it memorable.
While it lacks a few long-haul amenities like a full bedding set or an amenity kit, these are minor omissions on a 2-hour flight. Without a doubt, this is the best way to fly between Argentina and Chile.
KLM EZE-SCL: Pros & Cons
- The Good: True lie-flat business class seat, fantastic award redemption value, excellent and friendly crew, and you get a collectible Delft House.
- The Bad: No amenity kit or blanket, lounge at EZE is basic, and the flight can experience significant turbulence over the Andes.
Video Review
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