Cheap Flights From Santiago (SCL) | 2026 Deals, Routes & Tips

Finding Cheap Flights From Santiago

Santiago is served by Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), the primary and busiest airport in Chile and a major hub for South America. It offers extensive domestic connectivity throughout the long country, a comprehensive network of international flights across the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, and serves as a key gateway for Antarctica-bound travelers.

The most frequent and affordable flights from Santiago are domestic routes to major Chilean cities. Key destinations include Punta Arenas (PUQ) in Patagonia, Antofagasta (ANF) in the north, and Puerto Montt (PMC) in the Lake District. Internationally, SCL has strong competition on routes to major hubs like Lima (LIM), Buenos Aires (EZE), São Paulo (GRU), Miami (MIA), Madrid (MAD), and Sydney (SYD). It is also the main jumping-off point for flights to Easter Island (IPC).

The market is dominated by LATAM Airlines, which uses SCL as its main hub, competing directly with Sky Airline, Chile's leading low-cost carrier. This competition drives down fares on many domestic and regional routes. International carriers like American Airlines, Iberia, Qantas, and Aerolíneas Argentinas provide extensive overseas connectivity, creating further price competition on long-haul routes.

To secure cheap flights from Santiago, book domestic flights 3-6 weeks in advance, especially for popular routes to Patagonia. For international travel, start searching 2-5 months ahead. Always compare LATAM and Sky Airline for domestic and regional South American travel—Sky often offers significantly lower base fares. For the unique route to Easter Island (IPC), book at least 3-4 months in advance due to limited capacity. Flying mid-week and avoiding peak Chilean summer (December-February) and holiday periods yields the best savings.