[jimworcs]

You have been very well treated by LanChile, but this doesn't automatically make the problem the airlines responsibility. However, I do think that airlines should advise customers of the need to check the visa and entry requirements and the vaccination/health requirements before purchasing the ticket...either via a pop up box on their website, or when the telephone agent is taking the booking.

I do not however think that airlines can be responsible for checking each customer meets the entry requirements. That is too high a burden and is unrealistic. For example, if you are a communist, you may still have some trouble getting into the USA. You don't seriously think all airlines flying to the USA should warn communists not to book, or to quiz people about their current or past political affiliations do you? Some countries also block entry to people with HIV. Do you think airlines should check the HIV status of the customers?

I have less sympathy for the couple you mention in your post. The husband had the yellow fever vaccination and the wife had not. He KNEW he needed it, otherwise he wouldn't have had it!! That is not the airlines fault.

My suggestion: If booking online, a pop up should appear asking if you have checked the visa, health and other entry requirements of the country. If not, it should recommend you do so before proceeding. At that point, it would be the passengers responsibility. Same if booking by phone. Hopefully, no respectable Travel Agent would take a booking without advising the customer of the entry requirements, so all bases should be covered.