It can be difficult to know which airline you should choose for your domestic flights in Argentina. I flew several times with all the 3 airlines in the country: Flybondi, JetSmart, and Aerolineas Argentinas. I give you my personal opinion back-up with statistics on delays, cancelations, and overall customer satisfaction.
Read also: the best way getting from Ezeiza airport to Buenos Aires city
Airlines in Argentina
There are 3 airlines flying domestically in Argentina. JetSmart, Flybondi and Aerolineas Argentinas. The first two names are low-cost airlines and for a couple of years active in the country. Aerolineas Argentinas is the national airline with currently the most national destinations in Argentina.
The airplanes
If an up-to-date airplane is key for you then the newest airplanes can be found at JetSmart and followed by Aerolineas Argentinas. JetSmart is a new player in Argentina and owned by a large holding that invested in new planes, mostly Airbus A320. Aerolineas Argentinas uses Boeing 737 for its domestic routes. This can be planes from 19 years old up to the newest 737 generation.
FlyBondi: 3/5
JetSmart: 5/5
Aerolineas Argentinas: 4/5
The seating comfort
I prefer Aerolineas Argentinas and FlyBondi if we are talking about seating comfort. The seats of the national airline are comfortable and bit more leg space. FlyBondi uses older planes but often from other carriers that have good seats. JetSmart is ultra low-cost and the seats represent that too. Less legroom and harder seats.
FlyBondi: 3/5
JetSmart: 2/5
Aerolineas Argentinas: 4/5
Check-in and boarding process
Both check-in and boarding processes were smooth and organized. The low-cost airlines will have more boarding via busses. At the same time, the national carrier does it often via the terminal bridge. Boarding lines in the terminal can be often chaotic. Especially at Jorge Newbery airport.
Aerolíneas Argentinas has a mobile app and issues digital boarding passes. At Flybondi and Jetsmart you will receive the boarding pass in your email but are normal pdf files. Nevertheless, the online checkin is smooth. At the airports I didn’t had any problem for checking in at the desk.
FlyBondi: 4/5
JetSmart: 4/5
Aerolineas Argentinas: 4/5
On board service
Let’s talk about the onboard service. Well, I am deeply disappointed in the onboard service of Aerolineas Argentinas. It’s not even better than the ultra-low-cost carrier in Argentina.
They don’t have an onboard menu, even not during 3-4 hour flights. It felt that they come along to serve a drink if they wanted to. They keep the lights dimmed in the cabin for a very long after take-off, suddenly – when everybody falls asleep – they turn on immediately the bright lights, and if there is the slightest turbulence they stop the service. Just terrible! I would expect much more from a SkyTeam airline member. And on top of that, every time they put the cabin temperature to Sahara dessert degrees.
Then FlyBondi and JetSmart do offer at least food and drinks. Ok you need to pay but I prefer this than sitting from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia without any drink.
FlyBondi: 4/5
JetSmart: 4/5
Aerolineas Argentinas: 1/5
Chances of delays and cancelations
Here I dived into the statistics of each airline. FlyBondi and JetSmart are only for five years active in Argentina and with limited statistics available, so I followed up flights for several weeks and made my own report. In case of delay the statistics do work with punctuality percentage. Flights are punctual if the delay is not greater than 15 min from the original arrival time.
Punctuality
Aerolineas Argentinas has a punctuality of 79%, JetSmart has 78,30% and FlyBondi 80%.
Cancelations
Regarding cancelation percentage. Then FlyBondi is the worst student with 3,8%, followed by Aerolineas Argentinas with 2% and the best student is JetSmart with 0,70%.
Changes in flight schedule
Aerolíneas Argentinas is king in changing their flights! Even more than the other airlines.
A very common practice of Aerolíneas Argentinas is changing the airport of departure! Especially, when you have your flight from Buenos Aires. Initially you booked a ticket with departure from Jorge Newbery, because it’s closer to the city. But later they change the departure to Ezeiza International Airport. Which is 50 min away from Buenos Aires city and means departing earlier from the city, waking up earlier, higher taxi fares, etc. Not convenient at all.
Conclusion: which airline to choose for your domestic flights in Argentina?
The best connections between airports in Argentina is with Aerolíneas Argentinas. Also, less chance on cancelations. However, they change very often the departure airport in Buenos Aires. More strike sensitive company. On board service can be improved.
Flybondi is an airline still growing and improving. I liked the onboard service, boarding procedure and the price. If you are on a budget, then Flybondi is my airline to take. Chances in cancelation higher.
Jetsmart has more domestic flights in Argentina in comparison with Flybondi. Ultra low-cost airline and that’s ok if you don’t mind about less legroom. Of course, you can pay an upgrade to an emergency exit seat.
Last note: trying to contact the customer service at any of the airlines in Argentina? Good luck! 😉
