Getting to the Falkland Islands isn’t as straightforward as flying to Paris or London. There are fewer flights, limited airlines, and the prices can be steep. But with a little planning and some tools, you can find great deals. Below, I’ll share some tips and tricks to help you book the best flight to the Falklands.
Book at the Right Time
Timing is everything when booking flights. Airlines often release promotional prices around six to three months before departure. For international flights like those to the Falkland Islands, it’s best to start searching around this time frame. If you wait too long—or book too early—you might miss out on better deals.
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Prices tend to go up as the departure date gets closer. So, once you find a reasonable fare, don’t procrastinate. Lock it in before prices climb!
Use Flight Comparison Tools
Don’t just rely on one search engine. Different websites can display slightly different prices; this is because airlines offer various commission structures to travel platforms. Use flight comparison tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo. These can help you get a clear sense of pricing across various travel websites and airlines.
Try searching for flights in incognito mode to avoid price surges that may come from cookies monitoring your browser behavior. Also, set up fare alerts. These tools will notify you when there’s a price drop for flights to the Falkland Islands.
Maximize Airline Loyalty Programs and Points
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just occasionally collect points, using those miles can help reduce your flight costs significantly. Airlines like LATAM and British Airways have partnerships with global loyalty programs.
If you’re part of a frequent flyer program, check to see if you can use points to book flights to the Falkland Islands or reduce the cash fare by combining miles with money.
Flying With Popular Airlines
Because the Falklands are so remote, there are only a few airlines servicing the islands. LATAM Airlines is the most popular, with routes from Santiago, Chile, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. From there, you’ll connect via Punta Arenas, the main gateway city to the Falklands from South America.
British Airways is another option, but there are only direct flights from the United Kingdom for military and civilian personnel. These flights depart from RAF Brize Norton in England, stopping in Cape Verde for refueling, and then continue to the Falklands. Space is limited, so confirm your spot early.
Check Layovers
Because flights to the Falklands don’t feature direct options from most major cities, examining those layover airports will be important. Most flights go through Santiago, Punta Arenas, or Sao Paulo. Even if you’re coming from Europe or North America, you will likely need to route through South America first.
Try to aim for shorter layovers to save time, but make sure you have at least a couple of hours between connections. Given that few flights serve the Falklands, missing a connection means you might be stuck in transit for days.
Local and Regional Flight Options
If you’re already traveling within South America, you can find cheaper local flights to Punta Arenas, using regional airlines. These smaller flights can help you save money by avoiding long-haul international flights.
Check airlines like Sky Airline or JetSmart for budget options within Chile or Argentina. Always double-check the route options from stations on the ground for these regional carriers to make sure they match your timeline.
Flexible Dates and Destinations
Flexibility is key if you want to pay as little as possible. If possible, search for flights with flexible dates. Being able to shift your departure or return by a few days can sometimes save hundreds of dollars. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are usually the best days to fly in terms of price.
If you have flexibility in your starting point, look for flights from multiple departure cities. It’s sometimes cheaper to fly into Punta Arenas on a separate ticket from another South American city, saving you some cash compared to flying directly from Europe or the U.S.
Consider All Costs
While searching for flights, it’s easy to just focus on the price you see. But make sure to weigh the additional costs of your journey. If you’re booking separate tickets on budget airlines or have long layovers, factor in the cost of extra checked baggage, accommodation (for overnight layovers), meals, and airport transportation.
Sometimes a slightly more expensive ticket on a full-service airline like LATAM or British Airways will be cheaper overall when you factor in these extra costs.
Search for One-Way Tickets
Buying a one-way ticket or booking separate legs of your journey can sometimes be cheaper than booking a round-trip ticket upfront.
Search for one-way flights to Punta Arenas or another South American city, and then see if you can get a separate one-way flight from there to the Falklands. This strategy can increase your options and flexibility while potentially saving you money.
Use VPN When Searching
Have you noticed that sometimes prices change based on your location? Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when searching can help you get the best deals. By adjusting your browsing location to a country with cheaper fares or from where the airline originates, you can sometimes trick the system into offering you a lower price.
Changing your IP address to a country where flights are generally cheaper or adjusting it to match the country of the airline’s headquarters can help bypass some fare hikes.
Stay Alert for Sales
Keep an eye on flash sales. Many airlines serving South America, particularly in the off-season, frequently offer limited-time discounts. Sign up for the email newsletters from LATAM and British Airways, as they sometimes send out discount codes and promotion notifications.
Don’t be afraid to wait for a sale before booking—but make sure you monitor prices closely in the meantime so you don’t miss out on a good opportunity.
Avoid Travel Agencies (Sometimes)
For flights to the Falklands, booking directly through the airline can often be cheaper than using travel agents because there’s no middleman markup. Some agencies might also charge service fees.
However, if you’re struggling to piece together a good connection, working with a specialized travel agent can sometimes make sense, especially if they focus on remote destinations like the Falklands.
Travel Insurance (Don’t Forget!)
Because there are so few flights and unexpected weather can cause delays or cancellations in the South Atlantic, it’s smart to have travel insurance. You don’t want to lose your investment if your flight gets delayed, canceled, or rescheduled.
Make sure you book travel insurance that specifically covers remote destinations and delayed flights. Most major travel insurance providers offer an option that covers the Falkland Islands.
Quick Recap
Finding affordable flights to the Falklands can take some patience, but it’s entirely doable. Start searching early, use the right comparison tools, and try to be flexible with your dates and routes. Major airlines servicing the islands include LATAM and British Airways, and you’ll likely have layovers in Chile or Brazil.
Remember to check for sales, be aware of layover logistics, and don’t forget about travel insurance. It’s worth investing some time into this process because finding the best deal can make all the difference in your overall trip cost. Safe travels!
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