Summary
- Bariloche offers more than skiing, with various activities in its picturesque downtown.
- Aerolíneas Argentinas is a key provider of air transport to Bariloche from multiple destinations.
- JetSmart Argentina, Flybondi, and LATAM also offer flights to Bariloche, providing convenience for travelers.
Regarding skiing in South America, there are only a handful of top-quality resort towns one might consider visiting, and even fewer offer consistent high-quality skiing alongside an impressive cultural experience.
One town which stands out among others in the Andes is San Carlos de Bariloche, a city located within the Argentine province of Rio Negro that offers easy access to multiple of the area’s most important ski slopes, such as the Cerro Catedral.
Furthermore, Bariloche is not just known for skiing, but offers a variety of other activities in its picturesque downtown, including events at the world-famous Civic Center, multiple world-renowned nightclubs and bars, alongside a collection of chocolate and ice cream shops that locals will claim are the world’s best.
However, getting down to this legendary Argentine ski town nestled along the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake from the United States or Europe is often far easier said than done.
The San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC), which is located around thirty minutes from the center of town, offers just a single
runway
, and there are few flights from the facility that reach beyond the borders of Argentina. Let’s look at five different airlines that offer service to Bariloche.
5
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Number of destinations: 11
- Buenos Aires – Aeroparque (AEP)
- Córdoba (COR)
- Mendoza (MDZ)
- Rosario (ROS)
- Salta (SLA)
- Tucuman (TUC)
- Viedma (VDM)
- Buenos Aires – Ezeiza (EZE) – Seasonal
- El Calafate (FTA) – Seasonal
- Montevideo (MVD) – Seasonal
- São Paulo – Guarulhos (GRU) – Seasonal
The Argentine flag carrier is, unsurprisingly, one of the most important providers of air transport to Bariloche. The carrier serves the destination from all of its hub airports, as well as many regional bases across Argentina.
Photo: Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock
The airline has even launched multiple different seasonal services from Bariloche, demonstrating the common phenomenon of airlines ramping up capacity for winter ski destinations. By adding a connection to Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza Airport, the airline can facilitate smooth one-stop journeys to Bariloche via its principal international hub.
Furthermore, the airline’s international services to Montevideo and São Paulo are also noteworthy, as they are among the few that do not operate from a major
Aerolíneas Argentinas
hub. These flights likely aim to fend off competition from foreign carriers.
4
JetSmart Argentina
Number of destinations: 4
- Buenos Aires – Aeroparque (AEP)
- Buenos Aires – Ezeiza (EZE)
- Córdoba (COR)
- Mendoza (MDZ)
The relatively young Argentine low-cost carrier JetSmart Argentina is one of the largest providers of nonstop air service to Bariloche. Known for its convenient service and low prices, the carrier offers services to multiple destinations across the nation, including to both of Buenos Aires’ major airports.
Photo: Alexander Mitchell | Simple Flying
In interviews with Simple Flying, JetSmart’s CEO Estuardo Ortiz multiple times mentioned the importance of expanding the carrier’s presence at major Argentine tourist destinations. As a result, it will likely not come as a surprise if JetSmart opts to expand service to Bariloche from new destinations in the coming years.
3
LADE
Number of destinations: 4
- Bahia Blanca (BHI)
- Buenos Aires – Aeroparque (AEP)
- Mar del Plata (MDQ)
- Puerto Madryn (PMY)
LADE, which stands for Lineas Aereas del Estado, is a state-owned Argentine air carrier owned and managed by the Air Force of the Argentine Republic. The carrier is based in Comodoro Rivadavia, a city in Southern Argentina, and primarily provides essential domestic services across Patagonia.
The airline’s Bariloche network is slightly different from the two carriers previously mentioned on this list, with more peripheral destinations like Mar del Plata and Puerto Madryn. The carrier’s services are also relatively infrequent, with a fleet of 4 aircraft serving 30 destinations, according to Argentine defense news website Info Defensa.
2
Flybondi
Number of destinations: 3
- Buenos Aires – Ezeiza (EZE)
- Buenos Aires – Aeroparque (AEP)
- Cordoba (COR)
The Argentine low-cost carrier Flybondi is another airline that provides consistent service to Bariloche. With three year-round flights, Flybondi aims to connect Buenos Aires with the major South American ski destinations.
Photo: claudio santisteban | Shutterstock
By offering flights from Aeroparque, Flybondi can provide a convenient, affordable service for Argentines who live within the city center of Buenos Aires. With an Ezeiza connection, the carrier can also serve as a convenient option for passengers looking to connect to Bariloche from a long-haul international service.
1
LATAM
Number of destinations: 1
- São Paulo – Guarulhos (GRU) – Seasonal
The massive South American airline conglomerate
LATAM
also operates a single flight to Bariloche, connecting the ski resort to its fortress hub in São Paulo. For those traveling from the United States or Europe down to the snowy destination, a single-stop itinerary through São Paulo is both a convenient and appealing option.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
This flight, despite its potential popularity, is only operated as a seasonal charter service, making it slightly less ideal for those looking to connect at any time. As a result, the undoubted winner for the most convenient way to get from the United States down to Bariloche is Aerolíneas Argentinas via a one-stop itinerary from Ezeiza.