How to Fly to South America from New Zealand in 2026

Getting from New Zealand to South America has never been easier. In 2026, travellers have two direct flight options: LATAM's flagship Auckland to Santiago service, and the exciting new China Eastern Auckland to Buenos Aires route. Air New Zealand does not currently operate flights to South America, so these are your two direct options. Both are excellent, and each opens up a different side of the continent. Whether you're bound for Chile, Argentina, Patagonia, the Galápagos Islands, or an Antarctica expedition, there's a routing to suit, with great onward connections to every corner of South America.

Direct flight options to South America from Auckland at a glance:

• LATAM: Auckland to Santiago — approx. 11 hours, departs 7:50pm, up to 5x weekly

• China Eastern: Auckland to Buenos Aires — approx. 11.5 hours, departs 8:55pm, 2x weekly (Mon & Thu), first class and business class available

Flying from Auckland to South America — the Andes await on the other side of the Pacific.

 

 

Click the links below to skip through the article:

1.     How long is the direct flight to South America from New Zealand?

2.     Santiago: the best springboard for South America Tours from New Zealand

3.     About LATAM Airlines

4.     New in 2026: China Eastern’s Auckland–Buenos Aires flight

5.     Flying to South America via North America

6.     Best time to book flights from New Zealand to South America

7.     South America travel: entry requirements for New Zealanders

How long is the direct flight to South America from New Zealand?

LATAM's Auckland to Santiago flight takes about 11 hours, and the return leg around 12.5 hours. The flight departs Auckland at 7:10 pm and arrives in Santiago at 2:20 pm. Overall, this is a fantastic timetable for a trans-Pacific flight, as jetlag is minimal.

This direct flight is the fastest and easiest way to get to South America from New Zealand. This service serves as a convenient gateway for South America tours, allowing travellers to easily connect with multiple destinations across the continent. 

LATAM’s Auckland–Santiago service departs in the evening, arriving in Chile the following afternoon – a smooth, low-jetlag trans-Pacific crossing. Photo courtesy: Live and Let's Fly.

 

Santiago: the best springboard for South America Tours from New Zealand

As far as getting a 'foot in South America’ is concerned, you couldn't pick a better destination than Santiago. Chile's capital is an immensely enticing city – it's modern, cosmopolitan, and bustling and boasts a sensational setting framed by a spine of sky-reaching Andean peaks.

Santiago's modern skyline framed by the Andes — Chile's capital is the main arrival point for direct flights from New Zealand to South America.

 

 

Outside the city, you'll find some of South America's most revered wine-growing regions. You know…in case you were looking for more reasons to enjoy an exquisite Santiago city break.

Casablanca Valley wine region near Santiago, Chile — just 20 minutes from the city and a popular extension for South America tours from New Zealand.

Yet its central location makes Santiago the real 'golden gate' of Latin America. From here, everywhere is within easy reach. You can easily reach the ethereal Atacama Desert and Explore Easter Island's mysterious wonders by adding just a few extra days to your itinerary.

The iconic Moai statues of Easter Island, Chile — a remarkable side trip easily added to a South America itinerary departing from New Zealand.

Peru and Bolivia are just to the north, and the treasures of Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords, in the far south, are also easy to reach. As is the Amazon rainforest, whether you wish to visit it in Peru, Ecuador, or Brazil.

About LATAM Airlines

LATAM is South America’s largest airline corporation with a wealth of airline partners in the Americas. The company is headquartered in Santiago de Chile and offers extensive connections throughout Latin America, so although it might seem we do poorly with only one direct link to the continent, we actually have the best link.

Using LATAM’s “South America Airpass", you can combine your internal flights with your international air ticket and receive significant savings on the overall airfare – plus excellent conditions in case of flight changes or cancellations. LATAM operates Dreamliner planes, offering increased cabin humidity so you arrive at your destination feeling fresher than you would otherwise.

LATAM’s Dreamliner

 

LATAM's direct flight to Santiago is the quickest way to reach South America from New Zealand. But it isn't your only option. If your itinerary is centred on

Argentina, Brazil or Patagonia, China Eastern's new Auckland to Buenos Aires service is well worth considering. See below.

New in 2026: China Eastern’s Auckland–Buenos Aires flight

The biggest news for New Zealand travellers in 2026 is the arrival of China Eastern's direct Auckland to Buenos Aires service, a genuinely exciting addition to our trans-Pacific options. Operating twice weekly (Mondays and Thursdays), the flight departs Auckland at 8:55pm and arrives in Buenos Aires at 4:55pm the following day, at around 11.5 hours flight time. The airline offers first class (just 6 seats, though, so snap them up early), business class, and economy on this route.

Fun fact: this is a leg of the world's longest commercial flight by journey time, the Shanghai to Buenos Aires service, which stops in Auckland to pick up passengers before continuing across the Pacific.

Flying into Buenos Aires is a particularly smart choice for travellers with their sights set on the eastern and southern reaches of the continent. Buenos Aires itself is a world-class city – vibrant, cultural, and deeply compelling – and from here you’re perfectly positioned for Patagonia, Brazil, and beyond.

It’s also the natural gateway for Antarctica expeditions, making this new route a dream option for those embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime polar adventure.

BA also offers direct flights to Lima, Peru, opening up easy connections to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the wider Andean world.

Buenos Aires – Argentina's dazzling capital is the arrival point for the new China Eastern direct flight from Auckland, and a fantastic base for exploring South America.

 

 

To make the most of this exciting new routing, we’ve created our Signature South America Circle ex Buenos Aires tour – an itinerary designed to align perfectly with the China Eastern flight, taking you on a grand loop of South America’s highlights, departing and returning through BA.

Flying to South America via North America

An increasingly popular option is to get to South America via North America. If you have bucket-list destinations in the northern portion of the Americas, this could be a genius way to include them in your itinerary.

As of 2026, travellers from New Zealand can choose from an array of airlines offering direct, non-stop flights to destinations in North America, including

• Vancouver

• Los Angeles

• San Francisco

• Chicago

• New York City

• Dallas

• Houston

The US is exceptionally well connected to Latin America, so finding onward connections is a breeze. Dallas, for example, offers direct non-stop flights to Buenos Aires (Argentina), while Chicago has non-stop flights to Lima (Peru). The list of connections, both non-stop and direct, is extensive and we couldn't possibly list them all here but trust us – there are loads!

One of the options that's increasing in popularity is the New Zealand – USA – Galapagos Islands connection. Non-stop flights to Quito (Ecuador), the springboard for cruises in the Galapagos – depart from NYC, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

The Galápagos Islands – one of the world's great wildlife destinations, easily reachable from New Zealand via a US connection.

We've planned and booked numerous itineraries following this route and consider it a marvelous and rather creative way to get to South America from New Zealand.

Best time to book flights from New Zealand to South America

Generally, international flights are best booked at least 6 months in advance, but if flying in peak seasons, you might want to lock-in your flights even earlier.

High-season travel in South America varies depending on the destination:

• Peak season for Tours of Patagonia – October to March

• Peak season for Antarctica Cruises – December to February

• Peak season for Machu Picchu treks and the central Andes in Peru and Bolivia – June to September

Most people travel internationally at Christmas and the middle of the year – when northern hemisphere countries are on extended vacation.

Patagonia is at its best October to March — book your flights from New Zealand early to make the most of the summer season.

If you're booking a last-minute tour, we can help with looking into flights before confirming your departure date. For more expensive and complicated itineraries (like Antarctica expeditions with pre- or post-cruise Patagonia tours), we always urge our clients to book their flights as soon as the main expedition is confirmed. Flights to South America are usually available to book up to 11 months in advance.

South America travel: entry requirements for New Zealanders

New Zealanders don’t need to apply for a visa when traveling to Chile (and most countries in South America). Simply travel with a valid passport and more than six (6) months validity, and you'll receive a 90-day stay permit upon arrival in Santiago.

You may be required to show a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, depending on your itinerary and the destinations you wish to visit.

Please refer to the official SafeTravel page on Chile for general safety guidelines and follow links to other South American countries if you’re planning a multi-country itinerary.

If you're still unsure what the best way is to reach South America from New Zealand, the easiest thing to do is to CONTACT US and let our New Zealand-based team of Latin America Destination Specialists help you figure it out. We can provide no-obligation quotes so you can easily compare options; we’ll happily check for special deals on flights and ensure all of the connections work perfectly with your tour arrangements.