LATAM Boosts Flights From Lima To Los Angeles

In August, the LATAM Airlines group reached nearly 80% of its operations, most of which were domestic destinations. By this month, the airline group expects to reach at least 81% of its operations and is looking to increase its international destinations by the end of the year. And also, by the year-end, LATAM projects to exceed 85% of its overall operations.

Part of this projection will begin on December 2nd when LATAM Airlines bolsters connectivity between Lima and Los Angeles by adding another flight.

From Lima to the US

The additional flight will run thrice-weekly on the airline's Boeing 767-300ER fleet. With a seating capacity of 221 passengers in two cabin classes, the new flight, coupled with the current daily service, enables LATAM to offer about 2,210 seats to Los Angeles International Airport weekly.

Flight number	Departure time	Arrival time	Frequency
LA 2476 (LIM - LAX)	01:00	06:55	Daily
LA 2477 (LAX - LIM)	20:25	08:00 +1	Daily
*LAX 2478 (LIM - LAX)	12:00	17:55	Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays
*LA 2479 (LAX - LIM)	12:00	23:55	Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays

In addition to Los Angeles, LATAM currently operates routes from Lima to other US destinations, such as Orlando, New York, and Miami. However, the airline will stop operating flight services to Orlando towards the end of October.

LATAM Airlines Boeing 767-316(ER) PT-MSY.jpg (2)

LATAM currently has 34 Boeing 767-300s, 25 of which are in active service. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

From Santiago to Oceania

Another part of the projection is restoring daily flights to Australia and New Zealand. Before the pandemic, LATAM operated two direct flights to Australia and one to New Zealand, which was the only connection to Oceania made by a Latin American airline. The routes were only returned in March this year, albeit they became unified and connected Santiago de Chile-Auckland-Sydney-Auckland-Santiago de Chile, becoming LATAM’s longest route.

Although it may not be the same direct flights as before, increasing the frequency to once daily will help contribute to the airline group's goal of exceeding 85% by the year-end. Commencing from December 5th, the flights will be operated on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that seats about 313 passengers, which allows the airline to offer approximately 2,191 seats to Oceania weekly.

Flight number	Departure time	Arrival time
LA 801 (SCL - AKL)	00:40	04:50 + 1
LA 801 (AKL - SYD)	07:50	09:30
LA 800 (SYD - AKL)	11:25	16:35
LA 800 (AKL - SCL)	18:30	13:20

A LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registration CC-BBA departing.

LATAM understands that the international long-haul market will recover slower than the short and medium-haul domestic market. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Proceeding with caution

Given how international passenger traffic in North America and Latin America has almost reached pre-pandemic levels, and with domestic numbers being even healthier, it might seem surprising that LATAM is only aiming to exceed 85% in the next few months. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced the airline group into filing for bankruptcy when its passenger services were reduced by nearly 95%.

And as LATAM is soon emerging from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, the airline group understands that despite how quickly it may seem that passenger demand is picking up, the pace for its international long-haul market differs. The airline also released an updated five-year business plan projection, highlighting that it doesn't expect to reach pre-pandemic levels for international traffic until mid-2023, which explains the more cautious forecasts and expectations for the end of this year.