Is a 50 min layover in Santiago long enough?

SCL · Arturo Merino Benitez International · Santiago, Chile
It Depends

A 50 minutes layover at SCL (Santiago) is tight — it may or may not be enough.

Reasonable for domestic-domestic, tight for anything involving international immigration.
Concourses
2
Max Transit
25m
Avg. Security
15m
Primary Hub
LATAM Airlines
Domestic → Domestic
45min
tight
Domestic → International
60min
✗
International → Domestic
75min
✗
International → International
60min
✗
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
If arriving internationally and connecting to a domestic flight, budget extra time for immigration and customs before you can even reach the domestic pier.
LATAM's hub connections are generally well-signposted, but peak banks (early morning and evening) see long queues at passport control.
Remote stand buses are common at SCL, especially for regional Latin American flights, so don't assume you'll walk straight off the jet bridge.
Keep your boarding passes and passport handy, as connecting passengers may face a secondary document check between piers.
If you have a tight connection on LATAM, use their transfer desk near the international arrivals area rather than re-entering the main queue.
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
The domestic and international piers are linked by a long internal walkway within the same terminal complex, typically a 10-15 minute walk. Some flights are parked on remote stands and require an apron bus, adding 10-15 minutes; international arrivals must clear Chilean immigration and customs before reaching the domestic pier or baggage recheck area.
Is 50 minutes enough for a layover at Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL)?

Reasonable for domestic-domestic, tight for anything involving international immigration.

What is the minimum connection time at SCL?

Minimum connection times at Arturo Merino Benitez International: Domestic-to-Domestic is 45 minutes, International-to-International is 60 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 50 minutes connection at SCL on an international flight?

50 minutes is below the 60-minute international MCT at Arturo Merino Benitez International. You may need to rush and could miss your connection. The domestic and international piers are linked by a long internal walkway within the same terminal complex, typically a 10-15 minute walk. Some flights are parked on remote stands and require an apron bus, adding 10-15 minutes; international arrivals must clear Chilean immigration and customs before reaching the domestic pier or baggage recheck area.

How much time do I need for a layover at SCL?

We recommend at least 1 hour for a comfortable connection at Arturo Merino Benitez International. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 15 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 25 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at SCL?

LATAM operates a dedicated transfer/rebooking desk near the international arrivals hall for missed connections, and as the dominant hub carrier they can typically rebook onto the next available flight quickly given their frequent domestic and regional departures.

AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER