Flybondi brings a refreshing way of low-cost travel to Argentina.

Flybondi is a new low-cost airline that has been operating in Argentina since January 2018. When I say they bring a refreshing way of traveling to Argentina, I mean it. Previously we only had Aerolineas Argentinas and LAN Chile to choose from and they dominated the market. Prices were not market-related and very expensive. Strikes and frequent flight cancellations complicate flying with them.

One of the things that I like the most about Flybondi is the fact that they have taxes included in their prices. The price you see is the price you pay. Very often I have found, especially with Aerolineas Argentinas, that the price you see is not the price you pay. Taxes and other fees are added afterward. This is very frustrating and not professional.

What routes and airports do Flybondi use?

Flybondi is currently flying to more than 12 destinations in Argentina. Cities have been chosen well and basically gives a traveler an opportunity to see the most important tourist destinations in Argentina.

• Cordoba;
• Buenos Aires;
• Salta;
• Juyuy;
• Bariloche;
• Mendoza;
• Santiago del Estero;
• Bahia Blanca;
• Iguazu;
• Neuquen;
• Tucuman;
• Corrientes;
• Posadas.

Many low-cost airlines, use airports that are outside of the cities. This can complicate transport issues and sometimes costly. Flybondi uses all main airports apart from Buenos Aires where they do not use Aeroparque. They use El Palomar airport which is 28 km outside of the city. This airport was a military airport and now converted into a public airport.

Palomar Airport has undergone extensive upgrading and is destined to become a major airport in the next couple of years. 

What prices are we looking at when flying with a low-cost airline like Flybondi?

Because we had so few competitors in Argentina, we got used to inflated and exorbitant prices. We chose not to fly and used the long-distance transport buses or trains in Argentina. Flybondi offers attractive, all-inclusive prices. There are no additional taxes if you are a foreigner or living in Argentina. Let’s compare prices if you want to fly from Cordoba to Mendoza, for example.

Flybondi – Price as at 08/04/2018 – 424 ARS (one-way ticket).

Aerolineas Argentinas as at 08/04/2018 – 1,374.37 ARS (Economy one-way ticket).

Lan Chile as at 08/04/2018 – 1,664.00 ARS (Economy one-way ticket).

By looking at the above prices, it is clear that you pay significantly less with the low-cost airline. However, it is important to compare apples-with-apples. If you are traveling without a lot of luggage and if you do not need meals on the plane, then a low-cost airline will be perfect. Aerolineas Argentinas and Lan Chile offer more services that you ultimately pay for.

Booking a flight with Flybondi.

Andrey and I flew with Flybondi last week from Cordoba to Buenos Aires. Booking the flight online was easy and I liked the layout of the invoice. In fact, you can book the flight and pay for additional services later. This is then added to your invoice.

For example: We did not pay for luggage at the time of booking. A couple of days before our flight, we booked and paid for our luggage as well as an airport transfer into the city. We also booked transport with Manuel Tienda Leon to Madero terminal. 

48 hours before the flight you receive an email with the online check-in procedure. Print the boarding pass to your phone and that is what you use. 

What is it like flying with Flybondi?

Our flight left on time and boarding was quick and easy. The air-planes are well maintained and clean. They do offer in-flight but it is a little bit expensive. A coffee for example costs 60 pesos. The flight was good and we arrived at our destination without any problems.

Important information regarding Flybondi tickets.

To cut down on costs, Flybondi does not have a ticket sales office at the airports. They allow only online ticket sales.