Qantas ramps up trans-Tasman, South American codeshares with LAN

Qantas is ramping up its codeshare arrangements with Oneworld partner LAN Airlines across the Tasman and within South America.

After flying with Qantas or LAN from Australia to Santiago, Chile, passengers can then venture onwards to destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Lima on a Qantas (QF) flight number.

In turn, LAN will codeshare on Qantas’ flights across the Tasman, and also across Qantas’ extensive domestic network.

“Santiago is a key gateway for our customers and this development will strengthen its prominence as hub for onward connections,” said Stephen Thompson, Qantas’ Executive Manager International Sales.

Here’s what the expanded South American codeshare network looks like when taking advantage of Qantas’ and LAN’s existing flights between Australia and South America:

Beyond Santiago, codeshares will extend to La Serena, Antofagasta and Punta Arenas within Chile, along with Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil, and Lima in Peru.

Benefits of booking on a Qantas/LAN codeshare

While Qantas Frequent Flyer members can already earn points and status credits on LAN flights with an LA flight number, booking on the QF code ensures you’ll earn both of these at the full Qantas rates – particularly useful after Qantas slashed status credits on partner airline flights.

It also makes the journey to South America easier for residents of Brisbane and Melbourne, who can soon book a single ticket with LAN – such as Brisbane-Auckland-Santiago or Melbourne-Auckland-Santiago, in addition to the current options via Sydney with Qantas.

Qantas Club members see a genuine benefit from the improved codeshare network as well. While Qantas has no lounge of its own in Santiago Airport, Qantas Club members are currently invited to use the American Airlines Admirals Club before the journey home if booked on a QF flight number.

Through the new codeshares with LAN, access will also be granted when flying onwards within South America on a QF flight number, so if you’ve touched down after a long trek from Australia, you’ll have a place to freshen up and grab a bite before jetting off to your final destination.

Chilean codeshares can be booked from August 1 2014 for travel from August 5, Peruvian flights are open for booking and travel from August 20, while Brazilian codeshares pop up on October 8 for travel from the same date.

Qantas flies directly from Sydney to Santiago three times each week, with travellers gaining extra flights over the Australian summer.

Read: Qantas to boost Sydney-Santiago flights

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Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.