SANTIAGO- LATAM Airlines (LA), in partnership with Delta Air Lines (DL), launched a new route this Sunday (June 16, 2024) offering direct flights between Santiago de Chile (SCL) and Orlando (MCO), United States.
This new flight opens a gateway to one of the most popular destinations for Chilean tourists due to its theme parks.
LATAM Santiago to Orlando Flight
The route will operate with two weekly flights until September 2024, with a resumption planned for December until March 2025, providing a practical and convenient travel option. LATAM estimates it will transport about 26,000 passengers during this period.
“This route is part of our effort to enhance connectivity with the United States, bringing both social and economic benefits,” said Juan José Tohá, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability of LATAM Airlines, in an interview with Chócale.
He also mentioned that, although the Santiago-Orlando flights are initially seasonal, the possibility of making it a permanent route is not ruled out. “So far, we see a lot of demand and interest, so we will be evaluating it,” said the executive.
Elisa Zavala, Alliances Manager at Delta Air Lines, added, “We are very happy to open another route, in addition to the seven from the first year of the joint venture. We remain committed to connecting Chile with the world.” Zavala also highlighted the benefits of this agreement.
According to LATAM, starting June 16, flights LA636 from Santiago to Orlando will operate twice weekly, departing every Thursday and Sunday (switching to Saturday in July) at 11:00 a.m. (local time) and arriving at 8:15 p.m. (local time).
The return flight LA635 from Orlando will depart the same day at 10:25 p.m. (local time), arriving in Santiago at 7:00 a.m. (local time) the following day.
Special and Unique Event
The inaugural flight was a festive event for passengers. In the departure lounge, they enjoyed photo installations, themed gifts, and a special onboard menu, designed to capture the vibrant spirit of Orlando and its famous parks.
Among the passengers was Carolina Díaz, a Chilean creator of “Travel Tutorial,” a social media platform that provides practical vacation information and sells travel packages, theme park tickets, and cruises. “We are fascinated because it is the first direct flight from Santiago to Orlando in seven years,” said Díaz, who has lived in Orlando for four years. While she would have preferred a nighttime outbound flight, she appreciated that “the return is at night… We are excited.”
The U.S. ambassador to Chile, Bernadette M. Meehan, attended the event with her daughter, who was dressed as a character from Frozen. “With 200 years of U.S.-Chile relations, this direct flight underscores the importance of our relationship. You’ll also fly in a Dreamliner, which I believe is the most comfortable plane you can fly,” said Meehan, giving a nod to the American manufacturer, Boeing.
Nicolás Claude, general manager of Nuevo Pudahuel, added, “Today we are happy to celebrate the return of this route after almost six years, connecting many people who dream of traveling to such a fantastic and beautiful destination.”
The joint venture between LATAM and Delta involves several technological challenges. Currently, there are occasional issues with reservation management, including having two reservation codes (PNR) for the same trip or difficulties in purchasing ancillary services like checked baggage.
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