Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL)
Santiago, CL 🇨🇱 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
SCEL
IATA
SCL
Elevation
1555 ft
Region
CL-RM
Local Time
Loading...
Loading...Airport Information
GPS Code: SCEL
Local Code: Not available
Location: -33.393002° N, -70.785797° E
Continent: South America
Type: Large International Airport
What Travelers Say
Share Your Tip
Help fellow travelers by sharing your experience at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. Tips are reviewed before publishing.
Online Reviews Summary
Traveler sentiment for Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, Chile, is highly mixed, often leaning towards frustration despite recent upgrades. While some praise its modern international terminal, many recent reviews highlight significant operational issues, particularly with immigration and security.
What Travelers Love
- Modern International Terminal: The new international terminal is generally described as modern, clean, and offering numerous dining and bar options.
- Cleanliness: Many travelers appreciate the cleanliness of the airport facilities, including bathrooms.
- Dining Variety: There is a good range of food and beverage options, with prices often comparable to those in the city.
- Reliable Shared Transfers: Transvip and Delfos shared shuttle services are frequently recommended as safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation to and from the city.
- Excellent WiFi: Several recent reviews commend the airport's Wi-Fi connectivity as excellent.
Common Complaints
- Excessively Long Immigration and Security Wait Times: This is the most frequent and severe complaint, with travelers often reporting wait times of 2-3 hours for immigration, even during off-peak hours or for business class passengers. Security lines can also be very long.
- Rude and Unprofessional Staff: Many experiences cite immigration and border control staff as rude, unhelpful, and unsympathetic, contributing to a negative arrival and departure experience.
- Lack of Comfortable Seating: A pervasive issue is the scarcity of comfortable, armrest-free seating, forcing many passengers to rest on the floor, especially during long layovers.
- Inefficient Layout and Long Walks: The airport's layout is often described as inefficient, leading to very long walks between gates and terminals, which is particularly challenging for connecting flights.
- Overpriced and Limited Shopping: Beyond security, shopping options are often seen as bland, overpriced, and lacking essential facilities like a pharmacy.
- Taxi Scams: Travelers are warned about unofficial taxis outside the airport that overcharge significantly; it is strongly advised to book official taxis or shared transfers at designated counters inside the terminal.
Overall, while Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport offers a visually appealing new international terminal and convenient ground transport services, the persistent issues with long immigration queues, staff demeanor, and uncomfortable waiting areas significantly detract from the traveler experience. Travelers should brace for potential delays and consider pre-booking official transportation.
Researching traveler experiences online...
Community Tips
No community tips yet for Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.
Be the first to share a helpful tip for fellow travelers!
Current Weather Conditions
Loading weather data...
Airport Routes
Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) offers 97 flight routes operated by 9 airlines. Major carriers include LATAM, Sky Airline, LATAM Peru and others. Popular destinations from Santiago include São Paulo-Guarulhos Int'l, Jorge Newbery, Ministro Pistarini Int'l, Jorge Chávez Int'l and La Florida.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- São Paulo-Guarulhos Int'l (GRU) 6
- Jorge Newbery (AEP) 5
- Ministro Pistarini Int'l (EZE) 5
- Jorge Chávez Int'l (LIM) 5
- La Florida (LSC) 4
- Diego Aracena Int'l (IQQ) 4
- Miami Intl (MIA) 4
- Governor Francisco Gabrielli Int'l (El Plumerillo Int'l) (MDZ) 4
- Cerro Moreno Int'l (ANF) 4
- Rio de Janeiro/Galeao Intl (GIG) 4
- Carriel Sur Int'l (CCP) 3
- El Loa (CJC) 3
Newly Discovered
- Carrasco Int'l (MVD) new
- Subteniente FAP Alejandro Velasco Astete Int'l (CUZ) new
- Cerro Moreno Int'l (ANF) new
- Carriel Sur Int'l (CCP) new
- Chacalluta Int'l (ARI) new
- Canal Bajo (ZOS) new
- Balmaceda (BBA) new
- Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) new
- Governor Francisco Gabrielli Int'l (El Plumerillo Int'l) (MDZ) new
- São Paulo-Guarulhos Int'l (GRU) new
- Hercilio Luz Int'l (FLN) new
- Auckland (AKL) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Loading...
Loading routes...
|
||||||
Top Airlines
Operating at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LATAM
LAN
/ LA
|
30 | 108 | 30 | Jan 18, 2026 |
|
Sky Airline
SKU
/ H2
|
15 | 55 | 15 | Jan 18, 2026 |
|
LATAM Peru
LPE
/ LP
|
4 | 36 | 4 | Jan 18, 2026 |
|
JetSMART
JAT
/ JA
|
10 | 28 | 10 | Jan 18, 2026 |
LATAM Brasil
TAM
/ JJ
|
3 | 9 | 3 | Jan 18, 2026 |
Copa Airlines
CMP
/ CM
|
1 | 7 | 1 | Aug 16, 2025 |
Avianca
AVA
/ AV
|
1 | 6 | 1 | Aug 16, 2025 |
|
JetSMART
JES
/ WJ
|
2 | 6 | 2 | Aug 12, 2025 |
Atlas Air
GTI
/ 5Y
|
1 | 4 | 1 | Aug 16, 2025 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
17L/35R |
12303 ft | 180 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
17R/35L |
12303 ft | 148 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | SANTIAGO APP | 126.3 MHz |
| APP | SANTIAGO APP | 128.1 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 132.1 MHz |
| CLD | CLNC DEL | 121.7 MHz |
| CNTR | SANTIAGO CNTR | 129.7 MHz |
| GND | GND | 122.2 MHz |
| RDO | SANTIAGO RDO | 121.5 MHz |
| RDO | SANTIAGO RDO | 664.9 MHz |
| TWR | SANTIAGO TWR | 118.1 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Official airport taxis ('Taxi Oficial') can be hired at counters inside the arrivals hall with pre-paid, fixed rates, which is the most secure option. Ridesharing services like Uber and Cabify are also operational, with designated pickup areas in the airport's express parking lot.
Rental Cars
Numerous international and local car rental agencies, including Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and Econorent, have service desks located in the arrivals hall of both the domestic and international terminals. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
Public Transportation
There is no direct metro connection to the airport. The main public transit options are dedicated bus services, Centropuerto and Turbus, which run frequently and connect the airport to key metro stations (like Pajaritos, Los Héroes, and Estación Central) and bus terminals in Santiago. Shared shuttle services (like Transvip) are also available for door-to-door transport.