Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

SCEL 33.39S 70.79W · ELEV 1,555 FT

Airports / Chile / SCL

Large airport · SCL

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.

Santiago, Chile · 1,555 ft elevation. 3 charter operators based here.

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4.3/5

Google rating

53,777 ratings

Operators based

1,555

Elevation ft

Scheduled service

Santiago, ChileELEV 1,555 FTLarge airportScheduled service

4.3

Google rating

53,777

Google reviews

ratings on Google

Based operators

charter operators on the field

1,555

Field elevation

feet above sea level

Nearest alternate

nm to KNA

Field standing

Computed · Google ratings × Bravo register

#12 / 32

Chile airports by Google rating

4.3★ across 53777 Google ratings , ranked against 32 rated Chile fields.

3 operators

Charter fleet based on the field

More resident charter operators than 75% of the 651 US fields with a based fleet on the register.

44 nm

To the nearest alternate

Viña del Mar Airport (KNA), 2 fields within 50 nm.

Overview

Field brief

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCEL / SCL) sits in Santiago, Chile, where it functions as a large commercial airport. The field lies at an elevation of 1,555 feet. The airport supports scheduled airline service as well as private jet and charter movements.

Charter departments call it home: Aerocardal, Aviasur Aircraft Management SPA, and Los Cedros Aviacion base aircraft at SCL. Useful alternates include Viña del Mar Airport (KNA, 44 nm), La Independencia Airport (SCRG, 47 nm), and Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport (MDZ, 106 nm). SCL offers 2 runways, the longest 12,303-foot paved runway, which supports charter types through the VIP airliner class.

Quotes for flights out of SCL vary with aircraft type, repositioning, and schedule flexibility. Use the cost estimator to model a trip from SCL, or browse verified operators serving the area.

Run an FBO at SCEL? Become the preferred FBO

What fliers highlight.

From the stored review texts

5/ 5 reviews

Terminal & facilities

“There is a good variety of shops, cafés, and restaurants, as well as plenty of seating areas throughout the terminal.”

Camille Select5★ on Google

4/ 5 reviews

Easy in & out

“Overall, this airport feels contemporary, efficient, and comfortable, setting a very positive first or last impression of Chile.”

Camille Select5★ on Google

2/ 5 reviews

Staff & service

“If you're flying through Santiago, you can expect a clean, efficient, and welcoming travel experience.”

Julie Duffy5★ on Google

Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.

Field capability

Charts on SkyVector

Field data

ICAO

SCEL

IATA

SCL

FAA / Local

SCEL

Elevation

1,555 ft

Coordinates

33.3930° S · 70.7858° W

Airspace

G · Golf

Size

Large

Scheduled svc

Yes

Elevation vs Chile fields

state range 26–7,543 ft

At 1,555 ft, SCL sits higher than 76% of the 33 Chile fields on the register.

Runways & aircraft access

Full record on AirNav

Field data

2 runways

longest 12,303 ft

17L/35R
12,303 ft × 180 ftAsphaltLighted
17R/35L
12,303 ft × 148 ftAsphaltLighted

Which aircraft can operate here

vs longest paved runway 12,303 ft

SCL's 12,303 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.

Turboprop3,000 ft
Light Jet3,500 ft
Midsize Jet4,500 ft
Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
Heavy Jet5,500 ft
VIP Airliner6,000 ft

Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.

Based charter operators3

Full register

Access & alternates

Access

Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.

Location

Open the full map

SCEL · Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport · Santiago, Chile

From the ramp

Photography

Google Places photography of Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.

Flight times from here

Block times

Approximate nonstop block times from SCL on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.

Destination	Distance	Block time
Miami (MIA)	3,595 nm	8h 46m
Palm Beach (PBI)	3,646 nm	8h 53m
Houston (HOU)	4,033 nm	9h 47m
Austin (AUS)	4,112 nm	9h 58m
Dallas (DAL)	4,241 nm	10h 16m
Nashville (BNA)	4,268 nm	10h 20m
Washington DC (IAD)	4,359 nm	10h 32m
New York (TEB)	4,461 nm	10h 46m

Common questions

FAQ

What size private jets can use SCL?: Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport's longest paved runway is 12,303 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
What is the longest runway at SCL?: Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 12,303 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
Are there charter operators based at SCL?: Yes. 3 charter operators list Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport as a home base, including Aerocardal, Aviasur Aircraft Management SPA, Los Cedros Aviacion. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
What is the nearest major airport to SCL?: The closest alternate is Viña del Mar Airport (KNA), about 44 nm away, followed by La Independencia Airport (SCRG) at 47 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
How long is a flight from SCL to major cities?: Typical block times on a midsize jet: Miami about 8h 46m (3,595 nm), Palm Beach about 8h 53m (3,646 nm), Houston about 9h 47m (4,033 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.