Between new routes, strategic alliances, and technological innovations, Latin America’s skies are experiencing a month of major developments. From legacy carriers like American Airlines and LATAM to regional players such as Azul and SKY, all are working to strengthen their networks and appeal to increasingly connected travelers.
American Airlines strengthens its ties with Chile and Mexico
To celebrate 35 years of operations in Chile, American Airlines will increase its weekly frequencies between Santiago and the United States to 17.
For the 2025–2026 season, the daily Dallas–Fort Worth route will resume from October 26 to March 27. Additionally, three extra flights to Miami will be offered from December 1 to March 1, 2026.
Flight schedules between Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) and Santiago (SCL) – Daily
• Flight AA 945: DFW 7:25 PM – SCL 7:50 AM (+1)
• Flight AA 940: SCL 11:15 PM – DFW 6:10 AM (+1)
Flight schedules between Miami (MIA) and Santiago (SCL)
• Flight AA 759: MIA 9:30 PM – SCL 7:55 AM (+1) – Wednesday, Friday, and Thursday
• Flight AA 219: SCL 11:15 PM – MIA 6:40 AM (+1) – Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
In parallel, the airline announced an increase in flights for the Epiphany holiday (January 6–13, 2026). From Dallas–Fort Worth, new services will be added to Morelia, Oaxaca, and Durango; from Phoenix, a new route will open to Zihuatanejo; and from Chicago–O’Hare, the seasonal route to Querétaro, originally scheduled to end on January 5, will be extended until January 13.
Azul expands access to Europe through codeshare with Air Europa
Brazilian airline Azul has begun selling tickets to ten new European cities thanks to its codeshare partnership with Air Europa. These destinations, all operated by Air Europa via Madrid–Barajas, include:
- In Spain: Málaga, Bilbao, Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, and Vigo
- In Portugal: Porto
- In Italy: Rome and Milan
South African Airways increases capacity between Johannesburg and São Paulo
South African Airways will boost its frequencies on the Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo) – São Paulo –Guarulhos route during the high season. From December 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, an additional flight will be added every Tuesday, bringing the total to five weekly flights. Operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft, this expansion also facilitates connections to other African cities such as Cape Town, Durban, Harare, Lusaka, and Windhoek.
SKY and Air Canada form a continental alliance
This interline agreement will allow travelers arriving in Santiago or Lima with Air Canada to connect to destinations operated by SKY in Chile and Peru, such as Mendoza, Montevideo, Cusco, or Iquitos. In addition to expanding options for leisure and business travelers, it enables combined itineraries to be booked in a single transaction and provides access to connections beyond the main hubs.
LATAM adopts digital baggage tracking
With over 40 million bags transported annually and a loss rate below the global average, the airline is taking a step further by introducing a feature that allows passengers to track their luggage using Apple’s AirTag devices. Other carriers like Delta (RFID tags), United (app-based tracking), and Emirates (real-time updates) already offer similar solutions, but LATAM becomes the first Latin American airline to integrate a mainstream consumer baggage tracking tool.
Behind these announcements lies a clear trend: Latin America is consolidating its role as an air hub between continents. More flight options, simplified connections, and an improved passenger experience place the region at the heart of a global dynamic where connectivity becomes a strategic driver of tourism and economic development.
Photos : LATAM Airlines
