Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) is Chile’s busiest airport and one of the largest international air hubs in South America. It serves a quarter of Chile’s total air traffic.
The airport is located 15 km northwest of downtown Santiago in Pudahuel.
In 2024, SCL handled over 26 million passengers, ranking as the fourth-busiest airport in South America. It is the only airport on the continent that offers direct trans-Pacific flights to New Zealand and Australia.
Major Airlines - LATAM, JetSmart, Sky Airline
LATAM Airlines is the dominant airline at Santiago, handling around 54% of all passenger traffic. Four out of every 5 commercial flights from SCL are operated by LATAM.
Two key low-cost carriers use SCL as a hub: JetSmart and Sky Airline. Both offer many domestic and regional flights and have played an important role in developing the domestic aviation market in Chile.
Foreign South American operators at SCL include Copa Airlines, Aerolíneas Argentinas, and Avianca.
Flights to the USA are primarily operated by LATAM, as well as American Airlines (to Miami), Delta Air Lines (to Atlanta), and United Airlines (to Houston).
Important long-haul connections include flights to major European capitals by Air France, British Airways, KLM, and Iberia, as well as unique trans-Pacific routes to Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Easter Island operated by Qantas and LATAM.
To see a list of all airlines serving Santiago Airport, click here.
Terminals of Santiago Airport
SCL has two terminals within a single building.
newer Terminal 2 (T2), also known as Nuevo Pudahuel.
- Terminal 1 handles all domestic flights. It spans four levels:
Arrivals on the ground level.
Lounges on the 1st floor (although accessible via the second floor).
Departures on the second floor
Restaurants and VIP check-in for LATAM passengers on level 3.
Terminal 2, also known as Nuevo Pudahuel, was inaugurated in 2021. It consists of a central terminal (T2M) plus four themed piers (C, D, E, F), each with a unique cultural décor inspired by Chile’s regions Rapa Nui, Atacama, Los Lagos, and Patagonia.
T1 and T2 are linked via a free shuttle bus, which runs at a frequency of 10 to 15 minutes and operates 24/7. Walking between them is also possible via a pedestrian walkway and takes roughly 15 minutes.
Connecting Flights and Transit at SCL
Connecting between flights at Santiago Airport largely depends on the airline you’re flying with and whether the flights are domestic or international.
Transfers between two domestic flights are the fastest. Both flights will be at Terminal 1, and there are no Immigration controls, so just go to your next gate. The minimum connection time is 30 minutes.
Transfers between two international flights are also relatively seamless. You can remain within the international connections area on Level 2 of Terminal 2 until your next flight. Go through the checkpoint and find your new gate. The minimum connecting time in this case is 65 minutes.
Transferring from a domestic to an international flight requires that you transit from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2. You don’t have to take your baggage and recheck it if your flights are under the same PNR reservation code. You will go through Immigration and Customs in T2. The minimum connecting time is 75 minutes.
Transferring from an international to a domestic flight requires that you go through Immigration in T2, then retrieve your baggage, and deliver it to the connecting counters located behind the SAG and Customs arch. Then, you have to transit to T1 and go through Security one last time. The minimum connecting time is 110 minutes.
If you have a longer layover, hop over to the city and check out some of the best things to do in Santiago.
Wi-Fi At Santiago Airport
Free Wi-Fi is available across both terminals and levels. It is reliable for browsing, flight updates, and messaging. The only drawback is that it requires a reconnection every 30 minutes.
Uninterrupted Wi-Fi access is available at one of the VIP lounges located in either T1 or T2.
Lounges at SCL
Santiago Airport has several lounges in both terminals, although most are located within Terminal 2 (the international terminal).
In T1 (domestic), you can choose between
The Lounge: in front of Gate 20A, open 24/7.
- Salones VIP Pacific Club with 2 locations:
3rd Floor, between Gates 20 and 19, open from 7:00 AM to 2:45 PM.
Near Gate 28, open 24/7.
PrimeClass Cóndor: Near Gate 26, airside, on the 3rd floor, open 24 hours.
The International Terminal (T2) has a lot more choice to offer premium travelers:
Avianca Sala VIP: Located near Gate 12B, open from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
LATAM Lounge: The largest lounge in Latin America. Located on Level 4, near Gates 14 and 15. Open 24/7. Eligible LATAM passengers can enter for free; otherwise, the day pass at the door costs 60 USD.
American Airlines Admirals Club: Located next to Gate 19.
Delta Air Lines Sky Club: Located next to Gate 17.
SkyTeam Lounge: Find it in Pier E, on the first floor. Open daily from 8:30 to 23:00 except Monday. Thursday’s operating hours are shortened to 22:00.
- Salones VIP Pacific Club in 2 locations:
Between Gates 12 and 15. Open 24 hours.
In Pier C, open from 11 AM until 1 AM every day.
All lounges accept Priority Pass or status-based access and offer buffet food, snacks, showers, work areas, children's play zones, Wi-Fi, reading materials, and other amenities.
Dining Options at SCL
Both terminals of Santiago Airport present a wide range of choices when it comes to places to eat, drink, or grab a quick cup of coffee or a snack before your flight.
In the Domestic Terminal (T1), you have the likes of:
Briciole Bar on the 3rd Level.
Dunkin' Donuts on the 3rd Level.
McDonald’s on the 2nd Level.
Starbucks on both the 2nd and 3rd Levels.
The International Terminal (T2) has a few more options, mainly due to the greater number of passengers moving through it. Some of them include:
Brioche Doree in the West Rotunda on Level 3.
Deli & Cia near Gate 17 on the 3rd Floor.
Dunkin’ Donuts on Level 3.
Eric Kayser in Pier C.
Farine in the East Sector, Pier C.
Juan Valdez Cafe in the East Sector, Pier C.
McDonald’s in the West Sector.
Mozzarella Bar in Pier C.
Patagonia Cafe, near Gate 16.
Starbucks near Gates 11 and 19A.
Both terminals also have several Mercadito, Brit Shop, or Maxi supermarkets in both the International and Domestic Terminals, which operate 24/7.
Transport to and from Santiago Airport
Santiago Airport provides adequate transportation, even though there is no organized public transport to the city.
There are two Airport Bus lines:
Centro Puerto goes to the Los Héroes Metro Station.
Tur-Bus serves Alameda.
Catch either bus by walking outside Terminal 2, near Exit 5. You can buy a ticket at the booths in the Arrival area with a credit card, or directly on the bus using cash. The fare is CLP 1900 for a single ticket (CLP 3400 for a return ticket). Both buses stop at the Pajaritos Metro station.
An alternative to the airport buses is the TransVip shared shuttle. It has a counter for tickets just after Customs, in the Arrivals area. A ticket to the city center will set you back CLP 7000.
Official taxis can be recognized by their blue color and the sign “Taxi Oficial”. To hail a taxi, go to the official taxi stands just after baggage claim. Ignore people who approach you offering taxi or private shuttle services on your way to the taxi stands. A trip to downtown or Providencia should cost around CLP 21000 to CLP 27000.
Note that while Ridesharing companies operate in Chile, they are not allowed to pick up passengers at the airport.
Lastly, Metro Line A (Light Rail) is under planning. It will be a direct, underground link to Line 7. The expected timeline is that it will be finished by 2032.
Parking at SCL
Options for parking include two three-story garages and outdoor lots.
Express 1 & 2 are for short-term drop-offs, while larger lots like Patagua and Pehuén (800 m to 1.6 km away) are more suited to longer stays.
Rates at Express 1 & 2 are CLP 1485 for half an hour, up to CLP 29700 maximum per day.
The rates are Patagua and Pehuén are CLP 644 per half hour with a daily maximum of CLP 12900.
Parking for less than 10 minutes at any of the garages or lots is free.
Hotels near Santiago Airport
An on-site Holiday Inn connects directly to both terminals and features dining, spa, pool, and conference facilities. Note that it is landside, so those in transit need to clear Immigration in order to check in.
All other accommodation options are located outside the airport’s grounds, the nearest being around 5 km away.
Notable airport hotels include Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Diego de Almagro Aeropuerto, City Express Santiago Aeropuerto, and the new La Quinta by Wyndham Santiago Aeropuerto.
Click here to see more information about hotels near Santiago Airport.
Santiago, Chile
