The Chilean ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART has launched a new route between Santiago and Montevideo, opening flights to its sixth country in South America. JetSMART is looking to become the region’s leading ULCC. Let’s investigate further.

The new flight

On Tuesday, JetSMART launched its new direct route connecting Santiago de Chile’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) and Montevideo’s Carrasco International Airport (MVD). The flight’s number is JA700.

The Chilean low-cost used an Airbus A320 to operate the flight. According to RadarBox.com, JetSMART used an A320-232, registration CC-AWF. This aircraft had its first flight and delivery in October 2018, according to ch-aviation’s database.

Flight JA700 was commanded by two Uruguayan pilots, Benjamín Levy and Isabela Lioret, JetSMART said in a statement. Onboard traveled 150 passengers.

Estuardo Ortiz, JetSMART CEO, said,

“Today is a very important day because we have launched the first ultra-low-cost route connecting with Uruguay. Our objective is to offer our SMART flight proposal to all our passengers, with ultra-low fares and traveling onboard new Airbus A320 aircraft on which you only pay for what you use.” 

Now, JetSMART flies to six countries in South America. The low-cost carrier connects Chile with Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and now, Montevideo. JetSMART also has a regional branch in Argentina.

JetSMART en Uruguay
Receiving your first aircraft will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of starting your own airline. Photo: JetSMART

JetSMART’s connectivity

As of January 2022, JetSMART is offering 406 international flights from Chile, according to Cirium. The airline has 11 international routes. Compared to January 2020 levels, JetSMART is offering 4.1% more flights and seats. The airline still has to resume operations from Santiago de Chile to Salvador (Brazil) and El Palomar (Argentina), and between Concepción and Lima (Peru).

Domestically, JetSMART is scheduling 1,541 flights in January 2022, a 9.3% decrease compared to pre-pandemic traffic levels.

According to Chile’s civil aviation authorities, JetSMART had 88,350 international travelers up to November 2021. The airline was 73.4% below its pre-pandemic traffic levels in that segment.

Meanwhile, JetSMART had carried 1.3 million passengers domestically, holding a 17.4% market share. JetSMART was still 31.4% below 2019 levels, although it had the best domestic recovery among Chilean carriers (LATAM and Sky Airline).

South-America-Route-Map-20210729-2
JetSMART and American Airlines announced a partnership last year that would create a massive network in the Americas. Photo: American Airlines

American and JetSMART

Despite not recovering to pre-pandemic levels, JetSMART had a great 2021. Indigo Partners signed a massive deal during the Dubai Airshow that included 21 Airbus A321neo and two A321XLR for the Chilean carrier. JetSMART is set to have 14 XLRs, and it is one of two Airbus customers for this model.

When the order was announced, Estuardo Ortiz said,

“This deal shows our compromise to keep growing and position ourselves as the leading low-cost carrier in South America. The deal with Airbus brings us closer to our goal of having 100 aircraft by 2027.”

But JetSMART did more than just sign a new order for next-gen aircraft. The airline also announced a partnership with US giant American Airlines.

American will invest in JetSMART as they look to create a mega-network in the Americas.

Finally, when completed, the partnership “would accelerate JetSMART’s path to becoming the leading South American low-cost carrier while expanding service for American’s customers,” said Ortiz.

Have you been able to travel with JetSMART? How was your experience? Are you excited about JetSMART’s future Airbus A321XLR fleet? Let us know in the comments below.