To the Polls: Who to Fly to Lima?

My colleague flew non-stop on LAN from JFK to Lima about a year and a half ago and had a great trip. Red eyes are never fun but I would choose this flight over changing somewhere in Latin America in the middle of the night

First class or coach?

I would agree with Zach 100%. Widebody, even though a 767, and nonstop, sounds like the perfect combo.

CF, really enjoy the blog!

Well, its a toss up. I do Latin America all the time and LAN will probably give you the best service. However, living in Colombia as I do, I’d have to say try Avianca, they are constantly renewing and it will give you a chance to see the third busiest airport in South America (BOG, 3rd after only GRU and GIG!!) and number 1 cargo airport as well.

is cost a consideration? if that’s the case, then I would not necessarily fly a non-stop flight….LAN CHILE has a nice monopoly on the LAX/LIM or JFK/LIM route (zero competitors, they are the only airline offering non-stop flights) and therefore they charge premium fares. Try a connection and save money!

I voted for the non-stop LAN, but Avianca might not be too bad, either. As many others have said, widebody ftw. The 319/320 and Embraer options sound like absolute torture.

Not knowing service on the airlines I voted for COPA because the E190 is a sweet plane. I’m odd and I’ll chose to fly on a smaller plane, trying to remember the days of airliners with less than 15 seats. Plus connecting in another country sounds like an experience. But if the layover is long I’d go for the nonstop… (I voted before reading comments.)

I would go for Avianca! For me it is all about logging new airports as well as new airlines.

I’d say Avianca. The chance to spot in El Dorado International Airport is probably worth it.

Coincidentally, I am planning a trip myself to the Sacred Valley, from May 10-20, 2008. Since I will be coming from Buffalo, my choices are limited, but if my friend who resides in New York City chooses to join me, then I might hop over to New York City and take Avianca instead of going on a US carrier straight from Buffalo. AV’s schedules from JFK to LIM via BOG provides a 9-hour lay-over (there is a shorter one, but is way too short for comfort, which is 30 minutes), so I might as well get out of the airport and do some sight-seeing in La Candelaria and visit the Museo del Oro in Bogota. Besides, I would have to stay overnight in Lima anyways since all flights to Cusco leave only in the mornings, so there’s no point in rushing to Lima.

I flew Taca a few years ago…I would definitely recommend them…flights were on time, staff was friendly, smooth/no hassel/no wait connections, clean planes, etc.

I fly to Peru two or three times a year, I flight from SLC each time. I have to make at least one stop because there is no NON STOP flights to Lima from SLC. So where are you flying from?
-If you flight from ATL then your best option is a non stop flight with Delta.
-If you flight from Texas then probably your best option is a non stop flight with Continental
- If you flight from LAX then LAN is problably your best option with a non stop flight to Lima… but this flight could be a little too long… it’s about 9 hours long..(that’s TOO much for me)
If you flight from MIA then you may want to flight with AA or there is a new airline that files from FLL to LIMA for cheap, it is called SPIRIT AIRLINES, (not the most comfortable one but definitely the best price) or LAN (which gives one of the best services to Latin America) has a non stop flight to Lima too
If you flight from JFK I would definitely NOT take a non stop flight to lima…. i did it once… and i will never do it again… 11and a half hours in a plane is just TOO MUCH for me… i was going NUTS!
Non stop flights from MIA, ATL AND TEXAS take about 6 hours and i strongly recommend them.
LAN gives the best service to South America, Spirit Airlines is the cheapest one to lima from FLL. Delta has good deals from ATL, so it’s up to you!

by far the best advice!