LATAM Economy: Santiago to Auckland

Quick verdict

Fifteen hours across the Pacific on one of LATAM’s longest routes. The seat was wide enough for a six-footer to sleep, the blanket was warm, and the flight was smooth. I slept through the entire meal service, which tells you something about the sleep quality - or possibly the anticipation of arriving in New Zealand. The aircraft had seen some usage and the 3-3-3 layout is not ideal for window-seat sleepers who need bathroom access. But for an ultra-long-haul economy flight, LATAM delivered adequate comfort. Bring your own inflatable pillow.

Booking

LA801 is LATAM’s main link between South America and Australasia. This was the fourth LATAM flight in a multi-leg journey through South America (Johannesburg to Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo to Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires to Santiago, then this). After three flights that were all okay, just okay, I was not expecting anything exceptional. The route serves a specific purpose - getting from Santiago to Auckland with minimal faff.

I selected a window seat, which I later questioned given the 3-3-3 configuration. Getting past two sleeping neighbours to reach the bathroom on a 15-hour flight is not ideal. If I fly this route again, I would take the aisle.

The airport experience

Departing just before 1am from Santiago (SCL). Numerous announcements at the gate, a strict queuing system set up for boarding by group order. Everyone looked tired. When actual boarding started, the queuing system was completely abandoned. Staff did not enforce it. Passengers piled on and queue jumpers went unchallenged. If you are stressed about boarding position on South American flights, do not be - the system is aspirational at best.

The seat

Economy class in a 3-3-3 configuration. My preference is 2-4-2 because window-seat bathroom access is easier, but this is what LATAM flies on the route. The seat was sufficiently wide for someone my height (6 feet) to get some sleep. The aircraft was a Boeing, not a modern Dreamliner, and it had clearly seen some usage. Slightly soothing cabin lighting which may help with sleep preparation.

Power outlets were not mentioned in my notes, which usually means they were absent or unremarkable.

Service

I cannot review the main meal service because I slept through it entirely. That is a first for me - I always photograph the food for reviews. The overnight westbound timing clearly works well for sleep, because most of the cabin was out.

About 1.5 hours before arrival, coffee and a light breakfast were served. Adequate but unmemorable.

The amenity pack

A warm microfibre blanket (genuinely nice), the usual easily-flattened pillow, and over-ear headphones. Not the worst amenities on a long flight. My own inflatable pillow was the difference between acceptable and actual sleep.

The route

Fifteen hours westbound overnight across the Pacific. This is LATAM’s main Australasia connection and one of the longest routes in their network. The overnight timing works in your favour - most passengers slept or watched films. The flight was very smooth. I was lucky that my seatmates got up regularly to walk around, which gave me window-seat escape opportunities to freshen up.

The arrival into Auckland was memorable. Maori art presented as door carvings at the airport was impressive - a signal that New Zealand takes its cultural welcome seriously.

Rating

LATAM’s Santiago to Auckland is a functional ultra-long-haul that gets you across the Pacific without incident. The airline does nothing wrong and nothing exceptional - the same verdict as every other LATAM economy flight I have taken. Bring your own pillow, take the aisle if you value bathroom access, and enjoy arriving in New Zealand.

For getting to SCL, see my Santiago transfer guide. For the full Chile destination guide, see my Chile country guide.