Delta and LATAM have provided an update on their fledgling joint venture, with five new US-South America routes set to launch in the coming months.
Skyteam member carrier Delta announced plans to take a major stake in LATAM back in 2019, and a trans-American joint venture was signed between the two carrier the following year.
As part of the agreement LATAM left the American Airlines-founded Oneworld alliance – as yet there has been no news as to whether the Brazilian group will join Skyteam.
In October last year the US Department of Transportation (DOT) approved plans for Delta and LATAM to develop what they are calling “an unparalleled network connecting the Americas”.
LATAM Airlines Colombia will launch a new daily service between Miami and Medellin on October 29, using an A320 aircraft configured with economy and premium economy cabins. The carrier will compete with American Airlines and Avianca on the route.
On the same day LATAM Airlines Peru will start thrice-weekly flights between Lima and Atlanta, complementing Delta’s daily service on the route.
On December 22 Delta will launch thrice-weekly flights between Atlanta and Cartagena, using a Boeing 737 aircraft configured with Main Cabin (economy), Delta Comfort+ (premium economy) and First Class cabins.
The US carrier will also add a second daily service between Atlanta and Bogota on October 29.
The new routes add to several services announced since the implementation of the joint venture, including Bogota-Orlando (launching on July 1), Sao Paulo-Los Angeles (August 1), and New York JFK-Rio de Janeiro (December 16).
Commenting on the news Alex Antilla, Delta’s Vice President for Latin America, said:
“The mission of Delta and the LATAM group’s partnership is to make travel between our Joint Venture markets in North and South America easier and more enjoyable, and to bring the continents closer than ever.
“We’re grateful for the response from customers who are moving over to Delta and the LATAM Group. These exciting new routes, combined with our loyalty benefits, will provide even more ways to discover and do business in these dynamic markets.
“Just as importantly, we look forward to welcoming LATAM Airlines Peru on their first Atlanta route, to facilitating more connections through Delta’s largest hub, and to attracting new visitors to the Peach State.”
