LATAM: Visit South America. Direct Melbourne to Santiago, Chile flights return

Although LATAM is still only flying from Sydney to Santiago via Auckland, it has just started direct flights from Melbourne over this last weekend. That’s after a more than three-year break during the pandemic.

That period also saw Delta Airlines take a 20% stake in LATAM. It then gave the OneWorld alliance the flick, with Delta paying the exit fee, The Airlines also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the USA in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. It still works under that provision but has recently reported improved operating income.

The return to Melbourne also sees the return of LATAMs Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with a slightly dated but very spacious business class cabin.

787 Dreamliner Business Class seats

I travelled between Santiago and several other South American destinations back in 2019 on their 787 in this Business Class configuration. It’s very comfortable and roomy. However, lacks a bit of close-to-seat storage, aisle access for window seats, and the privacy that more contemporary business cabins now have. Seats are in a 2-2-2 configuration, with seats converting to completely flat beds.

Background

LATAM, which in 2011 amalgamated a bunch of subsidiaries and combined the operations of Brazillian-based TAM and LAN-Chile, is now the biggest airline operation in South America. It also rates as one of the biggest airline operations in the world according to the destinations served. 120 of those are across the South American continent, including major centres like Buenos Aires (Argentina), Lima (Peru), Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo (Brazil).

Melbourne flights

• LA804 – from Melbourne, 12:25 pm Tue, Thu & Sat, arrives Santiago 11:20 am same day
• LA805 – from Santiago, 12:55 am Mon, Wed, & Fri, arrives Melbourne 4:30 am plus a day (changes to 5:30 am for Eastern Summer Time)

Lounge

Back in 2019, LATAM operated a pretty large three-in-one, multi-level lounge at Chile’s Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL). In April 2022, it had remodelled, expanded and re-opened the lounge, all 4,000 square metres of it.

2PAXfly Takeout

I don’t know whether I am succumbing to a cultural stereotype, but my experience of LATAM was one of handsome, sort of sexy service. Food was OK to good, and wines, well, let me say that South American styles, grapes and wineries are a whole new delight for the palate.

South America itself is just a wonderful experience. It has it all, sophisticated cities like Buenas Aires, excitement and beaches like Rio de Janeiro, archeological sites (Machu Picchu) and wonders of nature from Iguazu Falls to the whole Amazon basin.

I and the husband spent a six-week honeymoon there, and want to go back.