Originally Posted by
Southerner
Our A320s have only one O2 generator so we don't have enough oxygen for the pax to fly over the Andes. I forget the times. We have 15 minutes, but you need 30, perhaps? It limits our range into South America, since we have to go around instead of over.
Also ETOPS helps fly through the Andes/Amazon area since there aren't any enroute alternate airports nearby. Some of the VX 320s were delivered ETOPS capable.