Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines will launch codesharing for flights operated by certain LATAM affiliates in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru beginning in the first quarter of 2020, pending receipt of applicable government approvals.
The codeshare will offer customers increased connectivity between up to 74 onward destinations in the United States and up to 51 onward destinations in South America.
Delta expects to expand codeshare opportunities to include more destinations in the near future. The airlines are also working toward introducing frequent flyer program reciprocity and reciprocal lounge access.
In September, Delta and LATAM announced an agreement that would bring together the leading airlines in North and South America, which once fully implemented will offer significantly expanded travel options for customers with access to 435 destinations worldwide. The enhanced cooperation is subject to governmental and regulatory approvals.
LATAM also made this announcement:
LATAM Airlines Group has announced that its affiliates LATAM Airlines Peru, LATAM Airlines Colombia and LATAM Airlines Ecuador have signed codeshare agreements with Delta to provide greater connectivity with the United States starting the first quarter of 2020, subject to applicable regulatory approval.
The new codeshares follow the announcement of LATAM’s and Delta’s framework agreement on September 26, 2019, which will combine the carriers’ highly complementary route networks to provide customers with a seamless travel experience and greater connectivity to destinations worldwide.
The carriers are working to provide a smooth transition through the strengthening of their existing interline agreement, establishing reciprocal lounge access and mutual frequent flyer benefits as well as developing bilateral codeshare agreements.
The three codeshare agreements signed with Delta today (December 2, 2019) will offer LATAM customers the possibility to connect to up to 74 onward destinations in the United States and Canada and will open up to 51 onward destinations for Delta passengers in South America*. Starting the first quarter of 2020:
- LATAM Airlines Peru’s ‘LA’ code will be added to Delta flights from New York/JFK, Miami, Los Angeles and Orlando to up to 74 onward destinations in the United States and Canada. Likewise, Delta’s ‘DL’ code will be added to LATAM Airlines Peru flights between Lima and up to 34 onward destinations in Peru and South America.
- Delta’s ‘DL’ code will be added to LATAM Airlines Colombia flights from Bogota and Cartagena to up to 13 onward destinations in Colombia.
- LATAM Airlines Ecuador’s ‘LA’ code will be added to Delta flights between New York/JFK and up to 55 onward destinations in the US and Canada. Similarly, Delta’s ‘DL’ code will be added to LATAM Airlines Ecuador flights between Quito and up to four onward destinations in Ecuador.
LATAM also plans to establish codeshare agreements between Delta and its affiliates in Chile and Brazil in 2020*, offering even greater connectivity between South America and the U.S.
End of codeshare agreements with American Airlines
LATAM will formally end all its codeshare agreements with American Airlines on January 31, 2020. Customers who have purchased American Airlines flights via LATAM prior to this date for flights from February 1, 2020 onwards will be entitled to the same services, with no change to flight or ticket conditions.
LATAM’s frequent flyer and reciprocal lounge access agreements with American Airlines will remain in place until LATAM leaves oneworld.
oneworld departure
LATAM advised oneworld and its alliance partners in September 2019 that it would leave oneworld within one year, in line with the standard notice period. The company is evaluating an earlier departure date with any change to be communicated in due course.
Following LATAM’s departure from oneworld, it will maintain its bilateral agreements with the majority of the alliance members.
Background on the framework agreement announced on September 26, 2019:
• Delta will invest USD$1.9 billion for a 20% stake in LATAM through a public tender offer at USD$16 per share. The tender offer was launched on November 27, 2019 and will last 30 days.
• Delta will also invest USD$350 million to support the establishment of the strategic alliance contemplated in the framework agreement.
• Delta will acquire four Airbus A350 aircraft from LATAM and has agreed to assume LATAM’s commitment to purchase 10 additional A350 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2025.
• Delta will be represented on LATAM’s Board of Directors.
• The strategic alliance is subject to all required governmental and regulatory approvals.
*Subject to applicable regulatory approval.
Delta’s routes to Latin America:
