Austral: The Regional Face of the Aerolíneas Argentinas Group

History and positioning

Austral Líneas Aéreas was born as an independent airline in 1957 and has been integrated into the Aerolíneas Argentinas group since the 1980s, while keeping its own IATA code and a distinct brand on the market, a commercial choice common among South American airline groups to segment the offering without having to rebuild an entire operating system. Today it works as the group's regional arm, specializing in short-haul domestic routes to Argentine cities that the parent company's Boeing 737s would not serve in an economically sustainable way given the more modest demand. The Austral brand is kept distinct mainly for historical reasons and for commercial recognition in the provinces where it has operated for decades.

The fleet

Austral flies Embraer E190s, aircraft smaller than the Boeing 737s of Aerolíneas Argentinas, sized precisely for routes with more modest demand within the Argentine domestic network. The choice of a Brazilian aircraft rather than a North American or European one reflects a trend common among South American regional carriers, which benefit from an Embraer maintenance chain that is geographically closer. Austral's Embraer E190s share much of their technical maintenance with those of other South American operators using the same model, making it easier to access spare parts and specialized expertise.

Routes and network

The network is centered on the Buenos Aires hub and serves mid-sized Argentine cities less well connected by the group's main flights, thus complementing the Aerolíneas network rather than competing with it on routes already served by the 737s. Many of these minor routes would have margins too slim for a larger aircraft. The routes to the Argentine north, such as Salta and Jujuy, remain among the most representative of Austral's role as a link between Buenos Aires and the less populous provinces.

On board and service

On board the E190s service is generally limited to a snack on the shorter routes, consistent with the nature of a regional link rather than a premium product; a separate business class is not offered on these routes.

Fares and baggage

Fares follow the same scheme as the Aerolíneas Argentinas group, with a standard baggage allowance included in the base fare, and tickets can be bought through the same website and booking system as the parent company, with which it also shares the Aerolíneas Plus loyalty program.

What passengers say

Travelers who use it to get around between mid-sized Argentine cities report an essential but functional service, with quick boarding times on smaller aircraft and simplified procedures at the less crowded regional airports. The available reviews are largely indistinguishable from those of Aerolíneas Argentinas, given the strong operational and commercial integration between the two brands.

• Quick boarding times on small aircraft.
• Useful links to smaller cities not covered by the group's main flights.
• Simpler procedures at regional airports than at the big hubs.
• The same loyalty program and booking system as the parent company Aerolíneas Argentinas.

• More frequent cancellations on some low-traffic routes.
• Last-minute aircraft changes when the group reorganizes the fleet between the two brands.
• Lower frequencies than on the main routes operated by the parent company.
• A brand less well known internationally than that of the parent company.

Austral is useful for anyone who needs to reach secondary Argentine cities not covered by Aerolíneas' main flights, and less suitable for those who give absolute priority to punctuality on low-frequency routes. If your destination is served by only one flight a day, plan a plan B in case of cancellation. The ticket is normally booked through the same channel as Aerolíneas Argentinas, with which it shares its booking system and loyalty program.