Updated 2026 — list is frequently updated
How to fly the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 on short flights within South America — including fifth-freedom routes, flight numbers and real long-haul Business Class seats.
If you love aviation, flying within South America usually means an Airbus A320-family aircraft or Boeing 737.
But there are some very interesting exceptions.
Widebody flights within South America are real — and some of them can be booked as normal point-to-point tickets.
That means you can fly a KLM Boeing 777 between Argentina and Chile, an Emirates 777 between Brazil and Argentina, or even a Turkish Airlines A350 between São Paulo and Santiago — without flying anywhere near Europe, Dubai or Istanbul.
For AvGeeks, these are some of the most interesting flights in South America.
And if you book Business Class, many of them give you something even better: a real long-haul lie-flat Business Class seat on a flight lasting only a few hours.
This guide is for anyone looking for:
- widebody flights within South America
- fifth-freedom flights in South America
- short Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350 flights
- lie-flat Business Class on short South American routes
- unusual flights for AvGeeks
- widebody aircraft without having to book a long-haul journey
Important: Aircraft assignments and frequencies can change. If you are booking specifically to fly a certain aircraft, always confirm the scheduled equipment before buying your ticket.
Why do widebody aircraft fly short routes within South America?
Most of the best widebody flights in South America exist because of fifth-freedom routes.
A fifth-freedom flight allows an airline from one country to carry passengers between two other countries as part of a longer international service.
For example, KLM operates Amsterdam – Buenos Aires – Santiago. Instead of carrying passengers only between Europe and South America, KLM can also sell tickets purely between Buenos Aires and Santiago.
The result?
You can board a KLM Boeing 777 in Argentina and get off a few hours later in Chile.
Other reasons widebodies can appear on regional routes include:
- Long-haul route extensions: the aircraft continues to another South American city.
- Fifth-freedom rights: foreign airlines are permitted to sell tickets between two South American countries.
- Aircraft positioning: widebody aircraft need to reach the airport from which their next long-haul sector departs.
- Cargo demand: large aircraft can make sense even on relatively short passenger sectors.
- Fleet scheduling: South American airlines occasionally use spare long-haul aircraft on regional services.
Widebody Flights Within South America You Can Actually Book
KLM
Buenos Aires – Santiago de Chile
Aircraft: Boeing 777
Flights: KL701 / KL702
Route: Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) – Santiago (SCL)
This is probably one of the most interesting widebody flights in South America.
KLM operates its Amsterdam – Buenos Aires – Santiago service under flight numbers KL701 and KL702, with the Boeing 777 continuing between Argentina and Chile. KLM also sells Buenos Aires–Santiago tickets directly, meaning you do not need to originate in Amsterdam to experience it.
The flight between Buenos Aires and Santiago takes only a few hours, yet passengers get the experience of flying on a genuine KLM long-haul Boeing 777.
Business Class is particularly interesting because you get KLM World Business Class rather than European-style Business Class.
And there is another major reason to choose this flight: the route crosses the Andes Mountains between Argentina and Chile, potentially offering spectacular views before arriving in Santiago.
Why AvGeeks should book it
- Boeing 777 on a short South American flight
- KLM World Business Class
- Fifth-freedom route
- Buenos Aires to Santiago without travelling to Europe
- Spectacular Andes crossing
- One of KLM’s most unusual routes
🎬 Watch my KLM Boeing 777 World Business Class Full Flight from Amsterdam to Santiago via Buenos Aires:
Emirates
Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires
Aircraft: Boeing 777
Flights: EK247 / EK248
Route: Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG) – Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE)
Want to fly Emirates between two South American cities?
You can.
Emirates operates its Dubai – Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires service with the Boeing 777 and sells the Brazil–Argentina sector separately.
The current schedule lists EK247 from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires and EK248 from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro, both operated by the Boeing 777. Emirates currently schedules multiple weekly services on the through-route.
This is one of the most attractive fifth-freedom flights in the world for anyone wanting to experience Emirates without flying all the way to Dubai.
Depending on the aircraft configuration, Business Class provides the full long-haul Emirates experience on a flight of roughly three hours.
Why AvGeeks should book it
- Emirates Boeing 777 within South America
- Fifth-freedom ticket
- Short flight between Brazil and Argentina
- Long-haul Business Class product
- Excellent opportunity to try Emirates without travelling to Dubai
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines currently offers two particularly interesting fifth-freedom widebody opportunities within South America.
São Paulo – Santiago de Chile
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
Flights: TK215 / TK216
Route: São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) – Santiago (SCL)
Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul – São Paulo – Santiago service creates one of the newest and best widebody flights within South America.
The airline sells tickets directly between São Paulo and Santiago, and the route is operated as part of TK215/TK216. Turkish launched Santiago as an extension through São Paulo and uses the Airbus A350-900 on the service.
That means you can experience a Turkish Airlines long-haul A350 between Brazil and Chile on a journey lasting only a few hours.
Business Class is especially attractive because the A350 offers Turkish Airlines’ real long-haul Business Class cabin rather than the short-haul product normally associated with a regional flight.
Why AvGeeks should book it
- Turkish Airlines Airbus A350 within South America
- True long-haul Business Class
- Fifth-freedom flight between Brazil and Chile
- Modern A350 cabin
- Excellent alternative to the usual LATAM narrowbody flights
São Paulo – Buenos Aires
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
Flights: TK15 / TK16
Route: São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) – Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE)
Turkish Airlines also operates another fascinating widebody sector between São Paulo and Buenos Aires.
Tickets are currently sold directly by Turkish Airlines between GRU and EZE, while current 2026 operations use the Airbus A350-900 on TK15/TK16.
This gives passengers another opportunity to fly Turkish Airlines’ long-haul Business Class for just a few hours without ever leaving South America.
São Paulo–Buenos Aires is especially interesting because several foreign airlines operate fifth-freedom widebodies on this city pair.
Air Canada
São Paulo – Buenos Aires
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Flights: AC90 / AC91
Route: São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) – Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE)
Yes — you can also fly Air Canada between Brazil and Argentina.
Air Canada’s Buenos Aires service operates through São Paulo, and the airline currently lists Buenos Aires as being served via GRU. AC90 continues from São Paulo to Buenos Aires, while AC91 operates the return sector before continuing towards Canada.
Recent 2026 operations on the regional sector have been flown by Air Canada’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The biggest attraction is Business Class.
Air Canada Signature Class on the 787 features seats that convert into fully flat beds, giving you a genuine intercontinental Business Class seat between Brazil and Argentina.
Why AvGeeks should book it
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Air Canada within South America
- Lie-flat Signature Class
- Fifth-freedom flight
- Short opportunity to experience a North American long-haul carrier
Ethiopian Airlines
São Paulo – Buenos Aires
Aircraft: Airbus A350 / long-haul widebody equipment
Flights: ET506 / ET507
Route: São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) – Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE)
São Paulo–Buenos Aires gets yet another unusual airline: Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian sells tickets directly between São Paulo and Buenos Aires as part of its service connecting South America with Addis Ababa. The regional sectors operate as ET506 and ET507.
Historically, the route has been associated with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but Ethiopian’s equipment has evolved. Current August 2026 operations are appearing with the Airbus A350-900, so this is a route where checking your exact aircraft before booking is especially important.
Either way, it is one of the most unusual opportunities in South America: flying an African long-haul airline between Brazil and Argentina.
Why AvGeeks should book it
- Ethiopian Airlines within South America
- Airbus A350 or other long-haul widebody equipment
- Fifth-freedom ticket
- Real long-haul Business Class cabin
- Extremely unusual airline for a Brazil–Argentina journey
British Airways
Buenos Aires – Rio de Janeiro
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER
Flights: BA248 / BA249
Route: Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) – Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG)
British Airways is another unexpected airline you can fly entirely within South America.
The airline operates its London Heathrow – Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires service with the Boeing 777, and passengers can travel on the regional sector between Argentina and Brazil.
BA249 operates from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires, while BA248 flies the opposite direction from Buenos Aires to Rio before continuing onwards to London.
This creates another excellent opportunity to experience a genuine long-haul aircraft on a flight of less than three hours.
Business Class is particularly interesting because you are flying aboard British Airways’ long-haul Boeing 777 rather than the narrowbody aircraft normally used on regional South American routes.
Why AvGeeks should book it
- British Airways Boeing 777 within South America
- Fifth-freedom flight between Argentina and Brazil
- Long-haul Business Class cabin on a short regional flight
- Buenos Aires – Rio de Janeiro in less than three hours
- Opportunity to experience British Airways without flying to Europe
SWISS
Buenos Aires – São Paulo
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Flights: LX93 / LX92
Route: Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) – São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU)
SWISS offers another fascinating fifth-freedom widebody flight between two of South America’s biggest aviation hubs.
The airline’s service between Zurich and Buenos Aires operates via São Paulo, creating a bookable regional sector between São Paulo and Buenos Aires.
LX92 operates from São Paulo to Buenos Aires, while LX93 flies from Buenos Aires back to São Paulo before the Boeing 777 continues onwards to Zurich.
The aircraft is the Boeing 777-300ER, giving passengers the chance to experience SWISS’s flagship long-haul aircraft on a journey lasting less than three hours.
For Business Class passengers, this is especially attractive: instead of the standard narrowbody Business Class normally found on short regional flights, you get a genuine long-haul premium cabin.
And for aircraft collectors, SWISS makes the already fascinating São Paulo – Buenos Aires market even more interesting, joining several foreign airlines operating widebody fifth-freedom services between Brazil and Argentina.
Why AvGeeks should book it
- SWISS Boeing 777-300ER within South America
- Fifth-freedom flight
- Real long-haul Business Class cabin
- Short flight between Buenos Aires and São Paulo
- Rare opportunity to fly SWISS without travelling to Europe
The Best Widebody Routes Within South America
If I had to rank the most interesting options for aviation enthusiasts, my list would be:
1. KLM Boeing 777 — Buenos Aires to Santiago
The combination of a Boeing 777, KLM World Business Class, the unusual fifth-freedom route and the flight across the Andes makes this difficult to beat.
2. Emirates Boeing 777 — Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires
Probably the most exotic airline experience on the list. Flying Emirates between Brazil and Argentina feels like something that should not exist — but it does.
3. Turkish Airlines A350 — São Paulo to Santiago
One of the best choices if your goal is to fly a modern Airbus A350 on a relatively short route.
4. Air Canada 787 — São Paulo to Buenos Aires
A rare opportunity to experience the Dreamliner and Air Canada Signature Class without flying to North America.
5. Turkish Airlines A350 — São Paulo to Buenos Aires
Another excellent A350 opportunity, particularly for Business Class.
6. Ethiopian Airlines — São Paulo to Buenos Aires
Possibly the most unusual airline choice of the entire list.
What About LATAM Widebody Flights Within South America?
LATAM is the largest obvious candidate when searching for regional widebody flights.
The airline operates Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 767 aircraft and has used long-haul aircraft between major South American hubs including Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and São Paulo. LATAM itself has previously identified Lima–Santiago, Lima–Buenos Aires and Lima–São Paulo among routes on which its Boeing 767 fleet can operate.
The problem for AvGeeks booking specifically for the aircraft is consistency.
LATAM regularly adjusts equipment according to demand and fleet requirements, meaning a route that receives a Boeing 767 or 787 on one date may use an Airbus A320-family aircraft on another.
For that reason, I do not list LATAM’s variable widebody rotations in the main list above.
Instead, if you are looking for a LATAM regional widebody, check routes between:
- Lima (LIM) and Santiago (SCL)
- Lima (LIM) and São Paulo (GRU)
- Lima (LIM) and Buenos Aires (EZE)
- Santiago (SCL) and São Paulo (GRU)
Then confirm the aircraft on your exact travel date.
How to Confirm You’re Really Booking a Widebody
Aircraft swaps happen.
Never book an expensive trip purely for an aircraft type without checking it first.
Here is the method I use:
1. Search the exact flight number
For example:
“KL701 aircraft”
“TK215 aircraft”
“EK247 aircraft”
This gives you a quick indication of what is scheduled.
2. Check recent flight history
Use services such as:
- Flightradar24
- FlightAware
- FlightStats
Look at the aircraft flown on the route over the previous week or two.
If the same widebody appears repeatedly, you have a much better chance of getting it.
3. Check the airline’s booking page
Look for aircraft such as:
- Boeing 777
- Boeing 787-8
- Boeing 787-9
- Airbus A330
- Airbus A350-900
4. Check the seat map
This is one of the easiest ways to spot a widebody.
If the Business Class seat map suddenly shows a 1-2-1 long-haul cabin or Economy shows a large twin-aisle configuration, you probably have the right aircraft.
5. Check again before departure
Even when a widebody is scheduled, aircraft swaps can happen right up until departure.
Business Class Can Be the Real Bargain
For many AvGeeks, the aircraft itself is only half the attraction.
The real opportunity is Business Class.
Unlike European Business Class, where airlines often use a standard Economy seat with the middle seat blocked, these fifth-freedom flights normally use the aircraft’s actual long-haul premium cabin.
Depending on the airline and aircraft, that can mean:
- lie-flat Business Class seats
- direct aisle access
- large entertainment screens
- long-haul bedding
- premium meals and drinks
- lounge access
- significantly more privacy
And because the flights are relatively short, fares can occasionally be dramatically cheaper than flying the same Business Class seat all the way to Europe, North America, Africa or the Middle East.
Best South America Widebody Flight for the Andes
If scenery is important, Buenos Aires to Santiago is the standout.
Both cities sit on opposite sides of the Andes, meaning flights between Argentina and Chile cross one of the most spectacular mountain ranges on Earth.
Flying the route on a KLM Boeing 777 makes the experience even more unusual.
On a clear day, the combination of huge snow-covered peaks, glaciers, valleys and a long-haul widebody aircraft can make this one of the best short AvGeek flights anywhere in the world.
Best Fifth-Freedom Flights in South America
For travellers specifically interested in fifth-freedom flying, these are the key routes to watch in 2026:
KLM: Buenos Aires – Santiago
Emirates: Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires
Turkish Airlines: São Paulo – Santiago
Turkish Airlines: São Paulo – Buenos Aires
Air Canada: São Paulo – Buenos Aires
Ethiopian Airlines: São Paulo – Buenos Aires
What makes these flights so unusual is that none of these airlines is based in South America, yet all can sell tickets for journeys entirely within the continent.
FAQ: Widebody Flights Within South America
Are there widebody flights within South America?
Yes. Although most regional South American flights use narrowbody aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737, several scheduled routes use Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft.
Many of the most interesting examples are fifth-freedom flights operated by international airlines.
Can I fly a Boeing 777 within South America?
Yes.
Two of the best options are:
KLM Boeing 777: Buenos Aires – Santiago
Emirates Boeing 777: Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires
Both can be booked as standalone tickets.
Can I fly an Airbus A350 within South America?
Yes.
Turkish Airlines operates the Airbus A350 between São Paulo and Santiago and also uses the A350 on its São Paulo–Buenos Aires through-service in current 2026 operations.
Ethiopian has also been operating A350 equipment on São Paulo–Buenos Aires in 2026.
Can I fly a Boeing 787 Dreamliner within South America?
Yes.
One of the clearest current options is Air Canada’s Boeing 787-9 between São Paulo and Buenos Aires on AC90/AC91.
Other airlines may also schedule Dreamliners regionally depending on aircraft rotations.
What is the best widebody flight within South America?
For AvGeeks, my pick is KLM’s Boeing 777 from Buenos Aires to Santiago.
You get a long-haul KLM aircraft, World Business Class if you book the premium cabin, a fifth-freedom route and potentially spectacular views while crossing the Andes.
What is a fifth-freedom flight?
A fifth-freedom flight is a service where an airline carries passengers between two countries other than its home country as part of a longer international route.
For example, KLM is a Dutch airline but can carry passengers between Argentina and Chile on Buenos Aires–Santiago.
Do short widebody flights have lie-flat Business Class seats?
Many of the flights in this guide do.
Because airlines such as KLM, Turkish Airlines, Air Canada and Emirates are using aircraft configured for long-haul operations, Business Class can feature the same premium seat used on flights lasting ten hours or more.
The exact cabin depends on the aircraft assigned to your flight, so always check the seat map before booking.
Are these aircraft guaranteed?
No.
Aircraft swaps can happen at any time due to maintenance, operational requirements, weather or changes in passenger demand.
Always verify the scheduled aircraft before booking and check again close to departure.
Final Thoughts
Widebody flights within South America are rare — but that is exactly what makes them so much fun.
Where else can you board a KLM Boeing 777 in Buenos Aires and fly across the Andes to Santiago, take an Emirates 777 from Rio to Argentina, or experience a Turkish Airlines A350 between Brazil and Chile?
For aviation enthusiasts, these flights offer an affordable and unusual way to experience long-haul aircraft, real Business Class cabins and some of the world’s most interesting fifth-freedom routes without committing to an intercontinental journey.
The schedules change frequently, so bookmark this page — I will keep this list of widebody flights within South America updated as new routes and aircraft appear.
