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.
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.
