For most travelers coming from the United States, the simplest way to reach the Falkland Islands is to fly to Santiago, Chile, then connect with LATAM’s weekly Saturday service to Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) via Punta Arenas. There are no direct commercial flights from the US to the Falklands.
The route is unusual enough that it pays to build the trip around the Falklands flight first, not around the cheapest US-to-South-America fare. Missing the weekly connection can disrupt the rest of your itinerary.
Last verified: September 2026. Current Falkland Islands Tourist Board information says the former midweek São Paulo service has not yet been reinstated after its pandemic suspension.
Best route from the US: connect through Chile
Start by getting yourself to Santiago (SCL). From there, LATAM operates the main scheduled civilian air link to the Falklands. The flight runs on Saturdays and stops at Punta Arenas (PUQ) in southern Chile before continuing to Mount Pleasant Airport.
Once a month, the service also calls at Rio Gallegos in Argentina. That is part of the same route pattern rather than a normal daily Argentina–Falklands flight.
If your US flight reaches Santiago close to the Falklands departure, give yourself a generous buffer. A night in Santiago is often more sensible than building a high-risk same-day connection around a once-weekly service.
What about the São Paulo route?
Do not build a 2026 itinerary around the old São Paulo service unless the official schedule changes before you book. The Falkland Islands Tourist Board currently says the Wednesday São Paulo route remains suspended and has not yet been reinstated.
Older articles may still describe São Paulo and Córdoba as an active alternative. Treat that as historical route information, not a current booking option. Check the official Getting Here page and LATAM before paying for connecting flights.
The UK Airbridge is another option
The UK Ministry of Defence also operates a fare-paying air service from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to Mount Pleasant. The service normally runs twice a week and refuels at Ascension Island.
For a US-based traveler, this usually means flying east to the UK before heading south, so it is rarely the shortest route. It can still make sense if you are already spending time in Britain or if the Airbridge dates fit your wider itinerary better.
For a complete comparison of all arrival options, including cruises, see how to get to the Falkland Islands.
Can you reach the Falklands by cruise instead?
Yes. Expedition cruises from southern South America often include the Falklands, sometimes alongside South Georgia and Antarctica. This removes the need to arrange a separate flight into MPN, but it gives you a very different trip.
A cruise works well if the Falklands are one part of a broader polar itinerary. A land-based stay is better if you want several days in Stanley, time at specific wildlife sites, or outer-island accommodation.
Entry requirements US travelers should prepare
Your Falklands entry documents deserve the same attention as the flights. Current official guidance says visitors need a passport valid for the duration of their stay. Land-based travelers should also have onward travel, confirmed accommodation, sufficient funds, and appropriate medical insurance.
Falkland Islands Customs & Immigration says medical insurance should cover aeromedical evacuation to a minimum value of US$2,000,000 equivalent. That is much more useful than relying on a generic statement such as “medical evacuation included.” Check the actual coverage limit.
Visa requirements depend on nationality. US passport holders should confirm their current status directly with Falkland Islands Customs & Immigration before travel, and you also need to meet the entry rules for any transit country such as Chile.
Our Falkland Islands travel requirements guide has the full document checklist.
Plan the connection in the right order
- Check the current Falklands flight date you want.
- Confirm Falklands accommodation, especially if you plan to visit Camp or outer islands.
- Book the LATAM or Airbridge segment.
- Then book your US positioning flights with a sensible connection buffer.
- Arrange the Mount Pleasant–Stanley transfer and any FIGAS or local transport.
- Recheck transit-country and Falklands entry rules shortly before departure.
Mount Pleasant is not Stanley Airport
International flights arrive at Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN), around an hour by road from Stanley. Stanley Airport is a separate airport used for domestic FIGAS flights. First-time visitors sometimes confuse the two when building an itinerary.
Read our Mount Pleasant Airport guide before booking transfers or onward flights.
Baggage matters if you are island-hopping
Your international baggage allowance may be generous, but FIGAS is a small-aircraft service. Current visitor guidance lists a 20 kg baggage allowance, so photographers and travelers with heavy equipment should plan around the domestic limit before leaving the US.
How much time should you allow?
The journey from the US is long, and the Falklands reward buffer time. Avoid putting an irreplaceable connection immediately before the weekly LATAM flight. On the return, avoid planning a tight outer-island flight directly into your international departure.
If this is your first visit, the how many days you need in the Falklands guide can help you decide whether to keep the trip Stanley-focused or add an outer island.
Official sources to check before booking
- Falkland Islands Tourist Board: Getting Here for the current LATAM and Airbridge pattern.
- Falkland Islands Customs & Immigration: Visitor Permit for entry documentation and medical-insurance requirements.
- LATAM and your US airline for live schedules, baggage, and ticket rules.
- The relevant government travel advice for Chile or any other country you transit.
Final take
For most US travelers, the practical route is still US → Santiago → Punta Arenas → Mount Pleasant on the Saturday LATAM service. The important part is not finding a clever shortcut. It is building enough buffer around a limited flight schedule and making sure the accommodation, insurance, transfers, and entry documents are ready before you leave.
FAQs
Is there a direct flight from the US to the Falkland Islands?
No. There are no direct commercial flights from the United States to the Falkland Islands. Most US travelers connect through Chile.
What is the main flight route from the US to the Falklands?
The most practical route is usually to Santiago, Chile, then LATAM’s weekly Saturday service via Punta Arenas to Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN).
Is the São Paulo to Falkland Islands flight operating in 2026?
The official Falkland Islands Tourist Board currently says the midweek São Paulo service has not yet been reinstated after its pandemic suspension. Check the live official schedule before booking.
Does my passport need six months of validity for the Falklands?
Current Falkland Islands guidance says a passport must be valid for the duration of the stay. Transit countries or airlines may have separate requirements.
How much medical evacuation cover should I have?
Falkland Islands Customs & Immigration says adequate medical insurance should cover aeromedical evacuation to a minimum value of US$2,000,000 equivalent.
Can US travelers use the UK Airbridge?
Fare-paying civilian seats may be available on the MOD-operated service from RAF Brize Norton. It can make sense if your wider trip already includes the UK, but it is usually less direct from the US.
