LATAM Moves New York/JFK Hub to Delta’s Terminal 4

Starting February 1, 2020, LATAM Airlines Group will be managing its operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York City) at Terminal 4 near the Delta hub. The location will be moving from its current base in Terminal 8.

The relocation paves the way for smoother connections in New York between LATAM and Delta flights. From February 1, 2020, LATAM Premium Business and top tier LATAM Pass members (Black Signature, Black and Platinum) will also have lounge access in Terminal 4.

LATAM will automatically update reservations for customers with itineraries to/from New York/JFK on February 1, 2020 onwards, taking into account minimum connection times.

“Moving LATAM’s operations at JFK marks another important milestone in our journey,” says Roberto Alvo, Chief Commercial Officer of LATAM Airlines Group. “We are committed to providing a seamless transition for customers around the globe and are working tirelessly to deliver the benefits of the framework agreement with Delta as soon as possible.”

Since codeshares were announced in December 2019 between Delta and LATAM Airlines Peru, LATAM Airlines Colombia and LATAM Airlines Ecuador respectively, approval has been received by the relevant authorities in the United States and Colombia, with regulatory approvals in Ecuador and Peru as well as the publication of said codeshares expected during the first half of 2020. LATAM’s affiliates in Brazil and Chile also plan to establish codeshare agreements with Delta during 2020, subject to applicable regulatory approval.

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. 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 and customer benefits with the majority of the alliance members (British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines), subject to final agreement.

These moves follow Delta’s agreement to invest $1.9 billion for a 20% stake in LATAM through a public tender offer that was successfully completed on December 26, 2019. Delta will also invest $350 million to support the establishment of the strategic alliance designed in the framework agreement. To that end, 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.

Upgraded Cabin Service

Meanwhile,  LATAM Airlines Group announced this week that  it will introduce its new superior cabin class service, Premium Economy, to all national and international flights within Latin America operated by Airbus A320 family (A319, A320, A320neo and A321; “short-/medium-haul”) aircraft, starting March 16,2020.

LATAM will be the only carrier to offer a premium service across its entire network of 145 destinations in 26 countries and five continents, with Premium Economy available on short-/medium-haul aircraft (Airbus A320 family) and Premium Business on long-haul aircraft (Boeing 787, 777, 767 and Airbus A350).

Once implemented, LATAM will offer two cabins classes on flights operated by short-/medium-haul aircraft: Premium Economy and Economy. Passengers in Economy will also continue to have the option to select LATAM+ Seats – offering increased space and reserved overhead bins – on most flights.

Premium Economy will be available on over 240 aircraft that operate approximately 1,280 domestic and regional flights each day, offering various benefits to customers:

At the airport:

•       Priority check-in

•       Baggage allowance from one to three pieces (up to 23 kg each)

•       Priority boarding

•       Priority baggage at luggage claim

•       VIP lounge access in airports where available (Santiago, São Paulo/GRU, Lima, Bogotá, Miami and Buenos Aires) on selected international flights

In-flight:

·        Seat in the first three rows of the aircraft

·        Middle seat blocked for greater space and privacy

·        Exclusive overhead bin for hand luggage

·        Differentiated onboard service (including complimentary snacks and drinks)

Currently, the service is already available on the following routes:

From Santiago (Chile) to:

·        São Paulo (GRU)

·        Lima (LIM)

·        Buenos Aires (EZE)

From Lima (Peru) to:

·        São Paulo (GRU)

·        Santiago (SCL)

From São Paulo (Brazil) to:

·        Lima (LIM)

·        Buenos Aires (EZE)

·        Santiago (SCL)