LATAM and Delta Air Lines have announced plans for a direct flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and São Paulo (GRU) as part of the recently approved joint venture between the two companies.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved the agreement in September. Together, the two carriers aim to create the broadest air partnership connecting North and South America, with shared access to over 300 destinations.
The new route – the only direct flight between Brazil and Los Angeles – is expected to begin in early July 2023 and will be operated by LATAM using its highest-density aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER. The plane has a total capacity of 410 passengers in three classes, including 38 in Premium Business, 50 in Economy+, and the remaining 322 seats in Economy.
The new flights will initially operate three times a week. Starting July 1, LATAM’s outbound flight will depart São Paulo at 11:05 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, landing at LAX at 7:00 AM the following day. The return leg of the trip is scheduled to leave LAX at 1:00 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, arriving in São Paulo at 5:20 AM the next morning.
And, thanks to LATAM’s partnership with Delta Air Lines, travelers will also be able to take advantage of Delta’s extensive network outside of Los Angeles Airport – one of its main hubs – with connections to popular West Coast destinations like Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Seattle.
LATAM and Delta recently announced significant increases in flight capacity and frequencies between the two continents. More than 23,000 seats per week will be available between North and South America thanks to the joint venture, with the number of weekly seats to Chile and Brazil growing by 130% and 170%, respectively, this winter.
Other routes that Delta announced it will increase capacity on include:
• New York (JFK) to São Paulo (GRU): from three weekly flights to daily;
• Atlanta (ATL) to São Paulo (GRU): additional seasonal flights to be added each day;
• Atlanta (ATL) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG): seasonal service will resume on December 17.
LATAM will also make capacity adjustments on selected routes, including:
• São Paulo (GRU) to Orlando (MCO): From three weekly flights to four weekly flights, starting August 2023. Who knows, with greater flight availability and competition among airlines, ticket prices might also become more affordable starting next year?