LATAM reconnects Santiago and Melbourne

LATAM Airlines is marking a major milestone by resuming direct flights between Melbourne and Santiago, Chile. This is great news for travellers between Australia and South America.

The LATAM crew at the inauguration ceremony with (from left to right) Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport, Chris Ellis, LATAM National Director for Oceania and Steve Dimopoulos, Victorian Minister for Tourism (Credit: LATAM)

On 2 September, the first direct flight from Santiago de Chile to Melbourne since 2020 landed. This route – the airline’s longest at over 11,000 kilometres – will initially be offered three times a week, and operated by Boeing 787-9 – Dreamliner – aircraft, offering 30 seats in business class and 283 in economy class.

Flight schedule :

•  Flight LA805: Santiago (00:55) to Melbourne (4:30) the next day (5:30 after daylight saving time changeover) – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
•  Flight LA804: Melbourne (12:25pm) to Santiago (11:20am) the same day – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus emphasised the importance of the resumption: “The resumption of flights to Santiago restores our direct connection to South America and brings the number of international carriers serving Melbourne back to pre-pandemic levels.”

The 13-hour transpacific flight complements LATAM’s daily flight from Sydney to Santiago via Auckland, bringing the airline’s Australian connections to 10 per week.