Traveller reference · LA
LATAM Airlines
No alliance · IATA LA · South America's largest network, partnered with Delta
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This page is a general reference written by our team. Baggage allowances, fees and policies are set by the airline and change without notice, so confirm anything that affects your trip with LATAM Airlines directly before you travel.
Official site: latamairlines.comLATAM is the largest airline group in South America, formed from the merger of Chile's LAN and Brazil's TAM. It operates several hubs rather than one: Santiago for the southern cone, Lima for the Andean region and much of the continent's connecting traffic, São Paulo for Brazil, and Bogotá for Colombia.
It is not a member of any global alliance. LATAM left oneworld in 2020 and now partners primarily with Delta through a joint venture covering travel between North and South America. In practice that means LATAM behaves like a SkyTeam-adjacent airline for a North American traveller without formally being one: Delta connections work smoothly, but alliance-wide benefits do not apply.
For travellers connecting onward from the United States, Lima is the hub that matters most. It is well positioned for the Andean countries and carries a large share of the group's connecting traffic, which is why so many itineraries from North America to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile route through it.
LATAM Airlines at a glance
- IATA code
- LA
- ICAO code
- LAN
- Based in
- Chile
- Alliance
- No global alliance
- Type
- Full-service
- Frequent flyer
- LATAM Pass
How LATAM Airlines baggage works
LATAM uses fare families, and the allowance follows the family rather than the airline. The cheapest international economy fares are close to a low-cost product, with a cabin bag included and hold baggage sold separately.
Domestic fares within Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador have their own rules and are frequently more restrictive than the international ones. A ticket that included a bag on the long-haul leg may not include one on a domestic connection, which is a common and expensive surprise.
LATAM Pass elite status adds allowance. Because there is no alliance, status earned elsewhere generally does not, with the Delta relationship being the main exception worth checking.
Check-in
Online check-in usually opens the day before departure. At the South American hubs, particularly São Paulo and Lima, the counter queues at peak banks are long and online check-in saves substantial time.
Several South American countries have specific entry requirements around onward travel and passport validity, and these are checked at the departure counter rather than on arrival. Confirm what applies to your nationality before travelling.
Boarding
Boarding is by group, with Premium Business and LATAM Pass elite tiers earlier. On the widebody fleet the premium cabin is a lie-flat product on long-haul services.
Connections at Lima and São Paulo can involve a terminal or concourse change and, on some itineraries, an immigration formality depending on the countries involved. Check whether your connection is a genuine international transit or an entry.
Before you fly LATAM Airlines
The hub determines the journey length
Lima suits the Andean countries, Santiago the southern cone, São Paulo Brazil. Search results will offer routings through all of them for the same journey, and the difference in total travel time can be several hours. Look at the routing rather than only the price.
Domestic legs have their own baggage rules
The single most common LATAM complaint from North American travellers is discovering at a domestic counter in Brazil or Peru that the allowance from the international leg did not carry over. Check the domestic segment separately when booking a through itinerary.
No alliance means no fallback
Without alliance membership, a disruption is resolved within LATAM's own network and its partner arrangements rather than across a broad group of carriers. On a tight schedule that is a reason to prefer the earlier departure.
Planning a trip rather than researching a carrier?
Our route and airport guides cover the journey itself — when demand peaks, which airports work, and how long the connection really takes.
FAQ
LATAM Airlines — common questions
General guidance only. LATAM Airlines sets these policies and can change them, so confirm anything that affects your trip at latamairlines.com.
Is LATAM part of oneworld?
No. LATAM left oneworld in 2020 and is not a member of any global alliance. It partners primarily with Delta through a joint venture covering travel between North and South America, so Delta connections and mileage generally work, but oneworld benefits do not.
Does LATAM include a checked bag?
It depends on the fare family and whether the flight is international or domestic. The cheapest international economy fares typically include a cabin bag only. Domestic fares within South America have separate and often more restrictive rules, so check each segment rather than assuming the allowance carries through.
Which LATAM hub should I connect through?
Lima for the Andean countries and much of the continent, Santiago for Chile and the southern cone, São Paulo for Brazil. Search engines will offer several routings for the same journey and the total travel time can differ by hours, so compare the routing rather than only the fare.
Can I use Delta SkyMiles on LATAM?
The two airlines operate a joint venture covering North and South America, and mileage earning and redemption generally work between them. The exact earning rates and eligible fares change, so confirm the current terms with Delta or LATAM for your specific ticket.