Photo: Delta Air Lines.
On Friday, LATAM Airlines Group and Delta Air Lines announced the incorporation of four routes to their networks as part of their strategic agreement launched last year. These new routes will be added to the two previously announced: Sao Paulo-Los Angeles and Bogota-Orlando.
The new routes
LATAM Airlines Colombia will launch a new daily service between Miami and Medellín starting October 29, operating with Airbus 320 aircraft equipped with Premium Economy and Economy cabins. On the same day, LATAM Airlines Peru will introduce thrice-weekly flights between its Lima hub and Delta’s Atlanta hub. LATAM’s first route to the Georgia state capital will be complementary to Delta’s current daily service and will operate with Boeing 767 aircraft with Premium Business, LATAM+, and Economy cabins.
In addition, Delta will relaunch service between its Atlanta hub and Cartagena, Colombia. The route will begin on December 22 and will offer three weekly flights on Boeing 737 aircraft with First Class, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin service. Delta will also add a second daily flight between Atlanta and Bogota, Colombia, beginning Oct. 28 with Boeing 757 aircraft offering First Class, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin service.
What are the airlines saying?
Alex Antilla, Delta’s Vice President for Latin America, said in a statement,
“The mission of the commercial agreement between Delta and the LATAM group is to make travel between certain countries in North and South America easier and more enjoyable, bringing the continents closer than ever before. We are grateful for the response from customers who are choosing Delta and the LATAM group. These new routes and additional services, combined with our frequent flyer benefits, will provide even more ways to discover and do business in these markets. Just as importantly, we look forward to welcoming LATAM Airlines Peru on its first route to Atlanta, facilitating more connections through Delta’s largest hub.”
Meanwhile, Martin St. George, LATAM Airlines Commercial Vice President, added that the company is delighted with the newly announced routes. “We will continue to work hard to elevate the passenger experience with internationally acclaimed service and a strong emphasis on sustainability to the skies over the Americas and the world.”
When the two airlines filed for their joint venture agreement in 2020, they said the JV would cover 700 city-pair markets; provide new or expanded service on at least 18 nonstop routes; and provide approximately $460 million in estimated annual consumer benefits, among other benefits.
