Buenos Aires is the number one tourist destination in South America, but its airports also serve as a hub for domestic air travel. Three airports handle the city’s air traffic, but most international tourists will only use the primary international airport, Ezeiza.
Since I have only used EZE airport myself, I have written a thorough review/guide below and have provided basic information about the city’s largest and primarily domestic airport, Jorge Newbery.
Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)
While it doesn’t earn the crown of busiest airport in Argentina (which goes to the domestic airport in Buenos Aires), Ministro Pistarini International Airport is the country’s primary international airport. Due to its location in the Ezeiza community south of Buenos Aires, the airport is most commonly referred to as Ezeiza International Airport. It has three terminals lettered A, B and C. Terminals A and B are connected. Entry into the airport is via terminals A and C, with about a 10 minute covered outdoor walk/roll separating the two entrances.
I have compiled a list of airlines and their associated terminals for you here. Please check with your airline for the most up-to-date information on terminal and gate assignments.
- Terminal A — Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Europa, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Avianca, Azul Brazilian Airlines, Boliviana de Aviación, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Emirates, Estelar Latinoamérica, GOL Airlines, Iberia, LATAM, Level, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air, Paranair, Qatar Airways, Sky Airline, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines
- Terminal C — Aerolineas Argentinas, Air France, Alitalia, Austral Líneas Aéreas, Delta Air Lines, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Disability assistance services should be requested prior to travel and through your airline. Consult this list of wheelchair assistance contacts at major airlines. If you are traveling with a personal wheelchair, it is possible to gate-check the device, whether it is manual or powered.
Boarding is almost always via jet bridge, but deplaning from an international arrival may be done using an AmbuLift. The AmbuLift vehicle can speed up the passenger’s journey to immigration and customs, in addition to reconnecting them with any gate-checked mobility equipment. On my departure from the EZE airport, an AmbuLift was used to safely take my wheelchair down to the ramp. I wish U.S. airlines would utilize AmbuLifts in America!
The airport has the following five lounges inside security:
- Aerolineas Argentinas Lounge (Terminal C)
- American Airlines Admirals Club (Terminal A/B)
- American Express Centurion Lounge (Terminal C)
- LATAM Airlines VIP Lounge (Terminal A/B)
- Star Alliance Lounge (Terminal A)
I departed from Terminal A on LATAM Airlines, but had access to both the LATAM VIP Lounge and American Airlines Admirals Club due to my Oneworld Emerald status. I preferred the LATAM lounge, as it was larger and there were more choices of accessible seating. During the time I was there, the LATAM lounge also had a more impressive spread of food and drinks.
Private accessible bathrooms for use by people with disabilities and their carer are available in each of the airport terminals.
More information on the airport and its facilities is available at the Ezeiza Airport website.
Accessible transportation to/from Ezeiza Airport
Once you have made your way through passport control, baggage claim and customs, you’ll be deposited into the arrivals hall. Here, you can meet your wheelchair taxi driver (accessible taxis must be prearranged) or go outside to the city bus stop (about a 5 minute walk from Terminals A and C). If you are able to rind in a standard taxi, they are available from the taxi stand. Make sure that the meter is running so that you are not taken advantage of.
For those utilizing public transportation, bus number 8 goes from Ezeiza Airport to downtown Buenos Aires. The ride takes 45 minutes to one hour and the route ends at Plaza de Mayo. The fold-out bus ramp is level at the airport, but very steep at Plaza de Mayo.
Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP)
Jorge Newbery Airfield, located just over one mile from downtown Buenos Aires, is Argentina’s busiest airport. It handles the majority of domestic air traffic to/from Buenos Aires, and is served by the following airlines:
Aerolíneas Argentinas, Austral Líneas Aéreas, Amaszonas Uruguay, Andes Líneas Aéreas, Avianca Argentina, GOL Airlines, LATAM Argentina, LATAM Brazil, LATAM Chile, Norwegian Air Argentina, Paranair
As I have not used this airport, I cannot comment on its accessibility, but you may find more information via the Jorge Newbery Airport website.
Accessible transportation to/from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery
The airport is directly served by three public bus routes: 33, 37 and 45. Taking these, you will be able to connect to other routes (and to the metro) that reach all parts of the city. Due to sidewalk inaccessibility, rolling a wheelchair from the airport to downtown would not be possible.
El Palomar Airport (EPA)
Home to two lower cost carriers, Flybondi and JetSmart, El Palomar is the smallest of the three commercial airports serving Buenos Aires. The airport is located approximately 10 miles outside of the city and sees more than half a million passengers per year.
Most of the departures are to cities within Argentina, but three international destinations are served. Flybondi provides service to Asunción, Paraguay and Punta del Este, Uruguay, while JetSmart’s only destination is Santiago de Chile.
I have not used El Palomar Airport and cannot comment on its accessibility, but you may find more information via the El Palomar Airport website.
