Planning your domestic flights in Argentina? Nothing that difficult to find the right domestic flight in Argentina. For example, Skyscanner, Google Flights, offer a lot of options. But, I give you some tips about where to start your trip, domestic flight connections in Argentina, what about the Argentina air pass, and are the low-cost airlines reliable.
Read also: How getting from Ezeiza or Jorge Newbery to Buenos Aires?
Domestic flights in Argentina
The following airlines are operating domestic flights in Argentina: Aerolineas Argentinas, and Austral are both national airlines with an extensive network. Andes Lineas is a mid-price range airline with a limited domestic network. Then we have low-cost airlines active in Argentina: FlyBondi and JetSmart.
I look for my national flights in Argentina on this website. It gives me a fast overview of all airlines including the low-cost airlines in Argentina.
Buenos Aires domestic airport
All the airlines mentioned above have a hub in Buenos Aires domestic airport Aeroparque Jorge Newbery(AEP). Jorge Newbery Airport is just located on the edge of River de la Plata. It takes you around 20 min with a taxi if you depart from Obelisco.
Jorge Newbery airport is the only operating airport in Buenos Aires city. Ezeiza is located in the province and around 45min away.
Are low-cost airlines in Argentina reliable?
In one word: yes! In general, they are less sensible for strikes. JetSmart does provide the same service as in other countries where they operate. FlyBondi is an Argentinian-founded company with reliable status. All low-cost airlines have domestic flights in Argentina, from the North to the South.
What about the visit Argentina air pass?
A frequently asked question: what is the domestic flight pass of Aerolineas Argentinas? In the first place, if you want to get the flight pass you need to fly in or out Argentina with Aerolineas Argentinas.
Secondly, rarely do you make a profit by using the Visit Argentina flight pass. The prices mentioned are without airport taxes. In addition especially now with all the low cost and competition on the airline market. That makes it cheaper to get a domestic ticket in Argentina.
Thirdly, you need to go to an Aerolineas Argentina sale office nearby in your country to buy the visit Argentina air pass.
Secrets of a domestic flight in Argentina
The national carrier Aerolineas Argentinas has an extensive route network. However, standardly not all destinations are connected with direct flights. This can result in unpleasant stop-overs in the Buenos Aires hub.
But, there is a secret. From September until March Aerolineas Argentinas does provide special seasonal flights. For example, normally there is no direct flight between Trelew (whale spotting) and Ushuaia.
From September until March, there are seasonal connections.
- Trelew <-> Ushuaia
- Ushuaia -> El Calafate
- Bariloche -> El Calafate
- Cordoba -> El Calafate
- Cordoba -> Trelew
43 Comments
Hi,
I need to fly from Mendoza to AEP to catch an international flight back to the U.K. which I clearly don’t wish to miss.
What is the most reliable airline you would pick? I’m tossing between going with Aerolíneas Argentina (more frequent but more expensive) or JetSmart (cheaper but less frequent)
Is there good airport lounges in AEP?
Thanks! And loving your blog!
Hi Ashley, I would choose Aerolineas Argentinas also for that reason. However, JetSmart is less strike sensitive and also reliable with the service.
The airport lounge in AEP is not the best. Be aware that international flights to the UK depart from EZE airport (45min drive away from AEP).
Thanks for your support 😀
Hi
Planning to fly to IGR from Buenos Aires and also Calafate. Found Flybondi is the cheapest. However, they seem to have so many review especially on flight cancellation.
You thought would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Chunli
Hi Chunli, FlyBondi is indeed one of the low-cost airlines in Argentina. They have some cancelations but in my experience less sensitive for strikes in comparison with the national airline. There are cancelations of course but in Argentina generally the customer service is not the best. FlyBondi is for sure worth booking if price is better.
HI Glen,
We’ve booked a ten day cruise from BA to Rio in early March. We’d like to visit two areas before hand – probably Iguaza Falls and Bariloche for a few days each but would not want to carry our cruise luggage. Can you recommend where to store luggage for 5 or 6 days?
Thanks,
Greg
Hi Greg, I have a new article about luggage storage in Buenos Aires: https://secretsofbuenosaires.com/luggage-storage-in-buenos-aires/
Hi Glenn, love your blog, super valuable tips & very updated! I’m heading to Argentina in Nov, I checked there is a bus departing from Salta to San Pedro de Atacama, so I don’t have to fly back to Buenos Aires then Santiago, do you know is bus timetable searched online reliable? Sorry may be not matching to the topic! thanks!
Hi Michelle, the timetables are pretty accurate for the departure at the start location. 🙂
Hi Glenn,
I’m looking to purchasing tickets from Buenos Aires to Iguazu for November 2023. I once saw tickets in $100 but now up to $300. Will tickets get cheaper? Do you know when the best time would be to purchase?
I appreciate your help.
Hi Jc, the economical situation in Argentina is very fragile. Airlines are probably taking their precautions. I don’t know how the future will be regarding airfares. I suggest putting a price alert with Google Flights 🙂
Hey Glenn,
we would like to fly from Buenos Aires to Salta at the end of October. And then to Iguazu.
Do you have a recommendation regarding the airline for these routes?
I’ve read a lot of negative reviews about FlyBondie.
But these are a bit older.
Do you have an up-to-date opinion on whether FlyBondi or Aerolineas Argentinas is the more reliable airline?
Thank you so much fpr your help.
Greetings Robert
Hi Robert, what a coincidence that I will do this route too with my family in September. We booked our domestic flights in Argentina with Aerolineas Argentinas. In my personal opinion a bit more reliable airline but also more strike sensitive. However, lately it is pretty calm on that front. FlyBondi is also a good airline to consider. It’s like Ryanair. For the connection between Salta and Iguazu, there is one direct flight each every one or two days. It’s worth planning your trip based on that direct flight instead of having a layover in Buenos Aires. Hope you have a great trip! Greetings Glenn
Thank you for your quick response. That’s how it works. We want to do a 1-week short trip there.
So you deliberately chose Aerolineas Argentinas because it is the more reliable airline or was it by chance? 😉
It would be really bad for us if the flight was canceled or postponed for a long time.
Greetings Robert
Exactly with a short trip you want to be sure that the flights are taken place. Aerolineas Argentinas has often more flights per day on the same route. So, if one get cancelled, you still have a higher chance to get rebooked on another flight the same day. With FlyBondi and JetSmart it depends on the route but in general the frequencies are lower. I flew with FlyBondi and JetSmart in the past too. It’s just a coincidence 🙂
Hi, We are having a hard time booking airfare online with Fly Bondi from BA to Mendoza. Thier online site freezes up and can’t get through to customer service. If we drive out to regional airport, is there a ticket counter there where we can purchase? Thank you
Hi Leslie, I didn’t see an office of Fly Bondi in Buenos Aires. I would suggest trying again or Aerolineas Argentinas or JetSmart for your domestic flight in Argentina.
Hi Glen
Is it possible to pay for Aerolinas Argentinas flights in cash whilst in Argentina? If so, how?
Rob
You can try at any travel agency but I’m not sure. Another option is making a reservation and pay by Rapipago. But you need to make the reservation the day that you are able to pay in cash there.
Hi Glenn, I arrive Ezeiza at 20:40pm and catch a 13:20pm flight to Ushuaia the next day.
Wondering on whether to stay at the airport, book a hotel near the airport or do you have any recommendations for that time between flights?
Also, is the train to ‘the end of the world’ from Ushuaia worthwhile?
Love your site, you do a great job and help many with your insight.
Louie.
Hi Louie, there is a hotel nearby the airport. I think that’s a good solution if you want some comfort. 🙂
Hey Glenn,
Thanks for all the great information.
Looks like you might be suggesting there is, or maybe was, a direct flight from El Calafate to Bariloche seasonally that kicks off in September? I am heading to El Calafate in November and after some time here, I would ideally like to start heading north and take a direct flight from El Calafate to Bariloche, but it looks like this direct service only starts in December? Do you know if and when these options will start to appear?
Nick
Any insight would be much appreciated.
Hi Nick, I’m looking forward to an official update and answer of Aerolineas Argentinas. As soon I have more info, I will update the post 🙂
Hello!
I have a flight from BA to iguazu, going and back on the same day. Trying to maximise time outside of the airport, how long before the flight do I need to be at the airport? No check in and flying with FlyBondi?
Thank you
Hi Liam, best that the flight departs from AEP airport. EZE is too far. I took the earliest flight. I did the check-in all online. The security takes around 15-30min. Can be longer depending how many flights are departing. I would suggest to be there 1h -1h30 before boarding time.
Hi Glenn:
I’m traveling to Ushuaia for an Antarctica cruise in January 2023 (I loved this experience so much after traveling there January 2020, I’m going back!). My flight arrives into EZE at 7:15 AM and then we depart from AEP at 4:55 PM to Ushuaia. I’m thinking about booking a transfer with a 4 hour tour of Buenos Aires. Considering customs, baggage, etc., is this enough time?
(Last time I flew into and out of EZE to Ushuaia but Aerolinas hasn’t published that flight, so we’re doing it this way this time. Honestly, it will probably be easier. EZE seemed difficult to maneuver for a smooth and timely transfer).
That will be possible. AEP airport is not that far from the city center. Probably you will arrive around 9AM in the city and enough time to get on the flight to Ushuaia.
Glenn, recent experience (April 2022) with Aerolineas was horrible. If you are dead certain about dates and flights, then book. If not, use one of the “discount” carriers. Why? Zero customer service, refunds never are credited and a general, “we don’t care” attitude. I finally got a credit on Visa card for a premium economy ticket that was fully refundable. LATAM got the business to Santiago and included a nice lunch. Sadly, they are not an option for domestic flights.
Hi there. When is the best time to book internal flights? I have a trip in Dec/January, and not sure if it’s too early to book.
Hi Jennifer, booking now is just fine. In my personal experience, the best prices are around 3 month before.
Is it cheaper to buy the interal flights once we arrive in Argentina?
Hi Jamie, in my personal experience, the flights were cheaper some weeks before flying. Buying a ticket there can eb a hassle. The service of Aerolíneas Argentinas is not the best and with FlyBondi you can pay in a kiosk but you need to know the system. Probably no English help there.
Great info, thanks. I’m looking at a trip next spring and would like to spend time in BA and in bariloche. I’m concerned about the reliability of flights within Argentina based on what I’ve read, can you recommend a way to reduce the risk of not being able to travel? I would likely book 1-2 days in BA prior to our international flights.
Hi Collin, most airlines are reliable. Aerolineas Argentinas is a bit more sensitive to strikes. FlyBondi and SmartJet are certainly good options as well.
hola sensai… do you know if a neg covid test is required to fly domestic on aerolinas arg (san luis to basa), or are the vacunas sufficient?
Unable to contact anyone at Aerolineas Argentinas, phone or e-mail. Perhaps you can supply a contact. I do have one question you could also help with. Flying in to EZE from Dallas do I have enough time to go through customs after getting my bags and boarding a flight to USH all with two hours?
Hi Ernest, it can be possible if the passport control goes smooth. Sometimes it can take up to one hour. Also, you probably need to change to another terminal. That’s about 10min walking.
Hey Glenn,
Do you know where we can find travel restrictions between provinces? I am going to Buenos Aires and planning to visit Cordoba this coming January. Do you know of any travel restrictions that exists because of cvoid?
Thanks again for your help. I love your blog!
Alex
Hi Alex, there are no restrictions anymore for traveling around in the country. When you arrive in Argentina and pass all the controls, then you are good to go.
How much time do I need to allow to transfer from AEP airport to EZE airport with some comfort? I am likely to be travelling on a Saturday either in the morning or early afternoon. Connecting flight at EZE departs either at 14:20 hrs or 23:10 hrs. Thank you for your help.
Hi Lee, I should calculate 1 hour of driving from AEP to EZE. Saturday is mostly calm on the roads in the morning. Cheers
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hi Glenn,
I’m fyling from EZE to El Calafate with Aerolineas argentinas. There is a 40 minute layover in REL. is this enough time? I will have checked luggage – will they transfer to final destination?
Thanks!
Hi, normally they will transfer this automatically. It is a common combination flight 🙂