ksoc

Looking for advice/thoughts on flying from Cusco to Lima in early September. I appreciate from my reading and research that flights from Cusco can be cancelled or delayed because of weather but it being the dry season can I assume weather related cancellations are less likely? I have heard cloud and fog but also wind. Wind I assume happens in the dry season so perhaps the time of the year is irrelevant? And of course I also appreciate non weather cancellation/delays can happen anywhere and anytime.

Our international flight out of Lima is a redeye at 12:30 am so in an ideal world, we could still spend the morning and early afternoon in Cusco, and then book a flight for late afternoon which would still give us a lot of time to kill at the Lima airport and still a somewhat decent buffer. But from what I have read afternoon flights tend to be the ones that get cancelled.

So sort of leaning to flying out of Cusco the night before and then staying at one of the airport hotels so we limit the amount of cab time and hauling of luggage back and forth. Kind of feels like we being just killing a day although I appreciate we could go into Lima for the day or just see if we can get a later checkout and the teens can swim. For context though we will have already spent 4 nights in Lima when we first arrive in Peru three weeks prior.

Faedus

I've flown from Cusco to Lima only once, 10 years ago, but I've made several visits to Peru before that time, and since, and I have had some occasional experiences with delayed or cancelled flights. I'd say the following:
[1] I can't say whether delays or cancellations are less common in drier seasons; a reliable answer would require formal research that neither I, nor anyone else who responds below, has done. I think it's wise to assume delays or cancellations could happen at any time.
[2] I always leave a complete "buffer" day in Lima between my flight back into that city, and my final flight home. And once I was glad I did: My flight into Lima was on a Thursday, and my final flight back home was Saturday -- with Friday being that Lima "buffer day." But my Thursday flight to Lima was cancelled for the day, so I had to fly to Lima on Friday -- and obviously I still made my Saturday flight back to the States. (Not that I was all that anxious to get back, but I had work obligations.) But note that there may be more Lima flights per day from Cusco, than from the smaller, less-touristed cities I prefer to visit.
Finally, realize that delays and cancellations in Peru aren't really anyone's fault -- it's just that among some of the world's highest mountains, weather conditions can be unpredictable.

crellston

I have flown out of Cusco several times over the years usually to Lima but to other locations as well. Flight delays used to be very common due to the high winds around the mountains. These tend to happen later in the day so morning flights are usually unaffected. It happens a lot less these days as aircraft fleets have been modernised with improved instrumentation etc.

international flights into and out of Lima are at very inconvenient times but I make it a rule always to be in the city of departure the day before an intercontinental flight. If things do go wrong, it can be very expensive! But there is always travel insurance!

in your situation, I would book flights only with LATAM who have the benefit of the more modern fleet and run way more flights than any other airline on that route. If one is cancelled They will just put you on the next available. Indeed I have been waiting in the airport , too early for my flight and they have asked if we wanted to take an earlier flight. IME they are more flexible than most airlines Regardless of ticket class.

With a flight at 00.30 , I would want to be at the airport by day 20.30. It is important to note that there are massive roadworks going on between the city and the airport that are already causing disruption and delays and will continue way past September and are likely to get worse not better. As you will already have been in Lima for 4 days ( a great amount of time BTW!) I would be inclined to get a midday flight into Lima and just get a room at the airport hotel for that night and just use it for the day. Lima is not the most comfortable airport in which to spend a long time. In no circumstances should you wander around out side teh airport as it is not safe.

It is going to be a bit of a day in limbo anyway you do it. A flight at say 14.00 would just about be ok and would allow time for a last bit of Cusco sightseeing around the Plaza de Armas and an early lunch before heading to the airport.

i don’t know if your itinerary is set in stone but there are lots of ways you could plan your trip. If going to Arequipa for example, there are lots of flights from there to Lima or even the bus.

ksoc

Thank you for your responses. The information and advice is helpful and much appreciated.

And was definitely looking at booking LATAM for the very reason that Crellston referenced.

I basically have all of our route organized which includes busing to Cusco via the typical southern route. For your information our itinerary is as follows:

4 nights in Lima (4 full days essentially as we arrive very early on our first day)
1 night Paracas
1 night Huacachina
3 nights Arequipa
2 nights Puno
4 nights Cusco
3 night/4 day Lares/Inca trail combo trek
2 nights Ollaytaytambo
Fly to Lima

I keep thinking about dropping a day in Lima but too be honest I made most of the accommodation arrangements already so reluctant to muddle with things too much now at this point. And figured it would be nice to ease into our trip and not feel rushed. I figure a few of us will go surfing one of the days as well as maybe rent bikes so not too worried we won't find things to do.

mlgb

No airline is immune to delays and cancellations. It isn't always the airlines fault, sometimes it can be strikes by the airport personnel, etc.

Even before LAN became LATAM, they had as many issues with rebookings and cancellations as any other airline. If it was me, I would split up the Lima Days, maybe even drop a night from Cusco, and do 3 on arrival and one before departure in Lima.

Since you have a return red-eye I think spending one night in Lima would work out not to be wasted, often I use it for shopping and maybe a morning museum visit so I don't have to cart souvenirs around for my trip. Or just to have a final amazing meal in Lima.

My favorite lodging is 3B Barranco which you can find on Expedia etc., or book direct often with a slight discount. I especially like them for first-time Lima visitors, so that they get the advantage of the great advice and orientation offered by their long-time staff. Not a problem to store luggage there.

SantacruzGuy

There can be delays and cancelations, especially in the rainy season, so it's good to always build in a buffer. It would be better to plan a morning flight since you can get a later one if you have problems (there are lots), to make your international. It's unlikely that all flights in a day get canceled, but it happens.