Arturo Merino Benitez Airport
Arturo Merino Benítez Airport is located approximately 15 kilometres northwest of central Santiago, in the Pudahuel commune, Metropolitan Region of Chile. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and the main hub for domestic connectivity. The airport opened in 1967, replacing the older Los Cerrillos Airport, and has since grown into one of South America's busiest aviation centres.
Overview
Arturo Merino Benítez Airport is located approximately 15 kilometres northwest of central Santiago, in the Pudahuel commune, Metropolitan Region of Chile. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and the main hub for domestic connectivity. The airport opened in 1967, replacing the older Los Cerrillos Airport, and has since grown into one of South America's busiest aviation centres.
Arturo Merino Benitez Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
LATAM Airlines Group is the dominant carrier, using Santiago as its primary hub for both domestic and long-haul international routes. Sky Airline and JetSMART operate as significant domestic and regional low-cost carriers. Numerous major international airlines connect Santiago to North America, Europe, and other South American capitals, reflecting the airport's role as a regional connecting point.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport operates two terminals: the international terminal handling overseas traffic and a domestic terminal serving routes within Chile. Two parallel runways oriented roughly east–west accommodate simultaneous operations, with the Andes mountain range forming a prominent backdrop to the east. The facility operates around the clock with no night curfew. A major terminal expansion project has been underway to increase overall capacity.
Connections through SCL need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Arturo Merino Benitez Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare SCL against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Lima. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using Arturo Merino Benitez Airport without guesswork
Plan SCL around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Santiago to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at SCL. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates two terminals: the international terminal handling overseas traffic and a domestic terminal serving routes within Chile. Two parallel runways oriented roughly east–west accommodate simultaneous opera
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for SCL
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for SCL.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at SCL. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates two terminals: the international terminal handling overseas traffic and a domestic terminal serving routes within Chile. Two parallel runways oriented roughly east–west accommodate simultaneous opera
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Arturo Merino Benitez Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from SCL
Compare the carriers connected with SCL, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from SCL
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at SCL
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersArturo Merino Benitez Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at SCL.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Santiago can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Arturo Merino Benitez Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at SCL depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Arturo Merino Benitez Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around SCL can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in Chile
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in Chile.
ANF
ARIFAQ
Arturo Merino Benitez Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Arturo Merino Benitez Airport is located in Santiago, Chile (South America), at coordinates -33.400°, -70.790°.
- Its IATA code is SCL and its ICAO code is SCEL.
- Arturo Merino Benitez Airport serves Santiago, Chile. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Arturo Merino Benitez Airport operates on America/Santiago local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Arturo Merino Benitez Airport sits at latitude -33.400° and longitude -70.790°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from SCL include American Airlines, Sky Airline, Korean Air, LATAM Airlines and United Airlines.
- Tracked destinations from SCL include Lima.
- Its address is Aviador David Fuentes, Pudahuel, Región Metropolitana, Chile, the phone number is +56 2 2690 1752, the official website is https://www.nuevopudahuel.cl/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in Chile. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.