BYO snacks – this red-eye flight feels like a survival exercise

The airline: LATAM

• Route Santiago de Chile to Sydney, Australia
• Frequency Daily
• Aircraft Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
• Class Economy; seat 40J
• Flight time 15 hours, 15 minutes. (Arrives 6.22am, 1 hr 30 mins ahead of schedule.)

Checking in

I arrive at Santiago’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International at 11pm, via another LATAM flight from Lima, Peru. Signs for connections are clearly marked and take us through a speedy (and empty) security checkpoint to airside shops and eateries. Most retailers are closed, except for the duty-free shop. A clutch of restaurants and American coffee chains keep us fed and caffeinated ahead of our next, main leg. At the gate, a final unexpected security checkpoint awaits – there are audible groans as passengers learn they’ll have to dispose of any just-purchased bottled water.

Baggage

One checked bag up to 23 kilograms, and a maximum 12-kilogram carry-on bag.

Loyalty scheme

LATAM Pass customers can earn points through a number of partner airlines, including Qantas.

The seat

Economy cabin seats are in a 3-3-3 configuration. The front-row LATAM+ seats offer increased legroom and priority boarding for those happy to pay for the privilege. I’m in a standard economy seat, though I’ve paid the extra $US19 ($27.50) to preselect an aisle seat (40J), unwilling to risk middle-seat hell on a 15-hour haul. Seats have an adjustable headrest, a pitch (legroom) of approximately 31-32 inches (79-81 centimetres) and width of 17.3 inches (44 centimetres), similar to its main competitor on this route, Qantas (32-inch pitch/17.2-inch width). There’s a seatback screen, fold-down tray table, and recessed cupholder so you can keep a drink even when the tray is closed. There’s overhead storage and a seatback pocket that just fits my melange of in-flight essentials. No amenity kits are provided, though each passenger gets a blanket and worn, scratchy pillow that keeps escaping from its papery case.

Entertainment + tech

I’ve drawn a short straw – a USB charging port that doesn’t work with a just-purchased cable, and no Wi-Fi. The LATAM Play entertainment system – Latin America’s largest and most exclusive content library, according to the tagline flashing on my screen – features more than 300 movies, and 1000 series episodes including a selection of shows from HBO Max and Disney+. Streaming apps have truly spoiled in-flight entertainment for the modern traveller; TV options feel limited, and only include the first season of shows I browse through. The “coming soon” movie titles are the same teased on my last 13-hour flight, 10 days ago, raising the question – coming when, exactly? Having watched my pick of the new releases 10 days ago, I fill up a long, restless leg with old classics like The Notebook and Pretty Woman.

Service

Multilingual LATAM staff operate meal service with cordial, no-frills efficiency. Between meals and rubbish collection they’re invisible, as passengers attempt to get some shut-eye.

Food

We’re offered two main meals during the 15-hour service. No menus are provided, but staff present two dinner options – salmon or vegetarian pasta. The latter is a meagre portion of plain red-sauce penne and a rectangle of focaccia, the only protein being a couple of tiny pepita nuts, which I have to dig for, and a small wedge of soft cheese with some crackers. I devour every skerrick and I’m still hungry. Breakfast, served close to landing, at least comes with a fruit medley, but my omelette is rubbery, teamed with a mushy rosti and single roasted cherry tomato whose sole function may be to make the meal look less uniformly beige. The award-winning dining mentioned on the website doesn’t appear to extend to the rear cabins. Local wine is offered at dinner, though I stick to water (after having to tip out a full water bottle at the gate).

Sustainability

The airline has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, with more immediate plans to modernise over 50 per cent of its fleet with low-emissions next-generation aircraft by 2030.*

One more thing

LATAM has announced it will begin offering onboard Wi-Fi on long-haul flights, including its Santiago-Sydney route. The new service will be implemented in 2026, in other words, “coming soon”.

The price

From about $2150, economy class return, plus $US19 ($27.50) each way to preselect seats.**

The verdict

While Santiago is the main gateway to South America for Australians, LATAM’s current economy offering feels more like a survival exercise. Until a promised Dreamliner fleet overhaul reaches Australian shores, ensure your devices are fully charged prior to boarding, pack a neck pillow, and a heavy stash of snacks.

Our rating out of five

★★½

The writer travelled courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent. See abercrombiekent.com

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org
**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change. Quoted fares may currently be above average due to increased fuel prices