Starting this month, United Airlines and British Airways have announced new flights to Santiago, Chile. Commencing November 2, United Airlines will offer three weekly flights to the Chilean capital from Houston. British Airways will begin its service on November 8, with four weekly flights from London Heathrow (LHR).
United Airlines flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) will depart on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The 8 hr 50 min flight departs Houston at 20:35, arriving in Santiago at 8:25 +1. All United Airlines flights from Houston to Santiago will be aboard a United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. United Airlines Boeing 787-9s feature 48 United Polaris business class seats, 88 United economy plus seats, and 116 United economy class seats.
British Airways will fly to Santiago four times a week
Flights from London Heathrow on British Airways depart on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays. The 14 hr 45 min flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) departs at 22:15, arriving in Chile at 10:00 +1. All British Airways flights from London to Santiago will be aboard a British Airways 787-9 Dreamliner.
British Airways Boeing 787-9s feature a choice of first, club world, world traveler plus, and world traveler. British Airways first offers eight open suites while club world offers 42 flatbed seats. World traveler plus comprises 39 recliner seats with a pitch of 38 inches, while world traveler offers 127 standard economy class seats with a pitch of 31 inches.
Chile is moving towards summer
As the northern hemisphere fast approaches winter, Chile’s citizens are looking forward to the arrival of summer. Winter weather in Santiago is in the mid 80 degrees Fahrenheit (30°C) with a low of around 54°F (12°C) at night due to its 1,870 ft (570m) altitude.
🇺🇸🇬🇧 Today @united resumes its Santiago – Houston route, and @britishairways resumes its Santiago – London route on November 8.
Another milestone for the reactivation of the aviation industry, which helps to bring families back together and contributes to Chile’s economic growth. pic.twitter.com/Vh9o9d801P— Aeropuerto SCL (AMB) (@NuevoPudahuel) November 2, 2020
Holders of United States, United Kingdom, and European Union passports do not need a visa to visit Chile for up to 90 days but must retain a Tourist Card you have to hand in when you leave the country.
Chile and COVID-19
Currently, foreign nationals can only enter Chile if they have an urgent reason to do so. As of November 2, Chile had 513,188 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders. Chile is currently at phase 4 of the coronavirus pandemic as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means that the coronavirus in Chile is widespread and not under control and is fueled by community transmission. There is also a nighttime curfew in effect from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am. As well as the nighttime curfew, travel to Magallanes Region requires proof of a negative PCR-test result given within 72 hours before travel.
Travel restrictions and lockdowns can occur without warning, which is why you should closely follow any government warnings regarding travel to another country.
It’s hard to imagine that the new United Airlines and British Airways flights to Santiago will be full of passengers. Chile currently bars international visitors except for urgent reasons, and England goes into a minimum month-long lockdown starting on Thursday.
What do you think about United Airlines and British Airways’ new flights to Santiago? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments.