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Taken November 2005 from Buenos Aires (Aeropuerto Internacional Ezeiza/Ministro Pistarini) - EZE to El Calafate - CDS

Flight was booked as part of a tour, so not too sure what price I paid. Check in was arranged by our tour leader at Buenos Aries, the girl at check in was not too happy about checking in a group. Checked the departure board and the flight was delayed two hours, our tour leader said "oh, is that all", shame she spoke so soon.

Boarding was in small area off the international terminal 2 which was just a holding room. After about an hour and no sign of our flight being called, worry began to set in. After about 1 hour an announcement was made of a delayed flight (on top of the first delay of about 2-3 hours), okay no big deal as delays are built into tours, 3 turned into 5, then 8 then 9 hours. The staff did offer meal vouchers and snacks vouchers for the delay, but the restaurant was just as efficient as the airline, but hey it was an 9 hour delay.

Promised followed promise, then a breakthrough when they announced that a plane would be brought in from the domestic terminal, which was great new as several flights had been cancelled and many of the people were getting frustrated, even breaking into boughts of clapping as the plane arrived, and then crew ran out of time.

But a new crew were brought in and the flight boarded. The ground staff all well worn out at this stage. The flight was on an MD87 code share with Austral with joint Aerolines and Austral name on the plane. The crew were pleasant and apologised for the delay.

The flight departed very smoothly and there were great views of the countryside. The flight was only 2 hours 30 minutes. Full bar service was offered, but when I asked for a drink of water as the plane was very hot, I had to wait for the full plane to be served as they did another bar service run. A full meal was served, which was a nice touch.

Flight landed smoothly in El Calafate, bag arrived in one piece and all straps open, although nothing was taken..

Overall good flight, friendly staff in the air. The delay was the worst part about the trip, but Aerolineas did feed us, but could have kept us more up to date, no doubt the ground staffs were told as much as we were. Okay we were late, but we got there safely and comfortably.