Direct flights are the gold standard here. Airlines like Delta, American, and LATAM run daily services from JFK to Ezeiza International Airport. The actual air time is roughly 10 hours and 45 minutes.
But here’s the kicker: you’re flying south, so you’re not crossing any major time zones—just a two-hour jump forward. That means less jet lag! Your body barely notices you’ve left the country.
Bring a neck pillow, pack some snacks, and prepare for a flight that feels like a long workday. Except the view at the end is empire of beef and wine.
The Layover Labyrinth (Or “How to Lose a Day”)
If you book through Miami, Panama City, or Lima, brace yourself. A layover can stretch a short trip into a marathon. You might spend 3 to 6 hours wandering an airport, wondering why you didn’t just pay for the direct ticket.
Pro tip: Never book a layover under 90 minutes in South America. Customs and baggage can be surprisingly slow. You don’t want to be the person sprinting through the terminal in dress shoes.
Still, a layover in Lima means you can grab a ceviche during your wait. So it’s not all bad—it’s just tempting.
