Nonstop flights that connect Lima, Perú and Orlando are a thing of the past – at least for now. LATAM Perú operated its last flight to Orlando International Airport and returned to Jorge Chávez International Airport on October 28th, citing operational issues. The carrier was the only airline to offer regularly scheduled passenger service between the two cities.
LATAM Perú, a subsidiary of LATAM Airlines Group, announced the suspension of Orlando service in May. According to the travel guide New Peruvian, it has been the dominant airline in Peru for the last few years, flying about 60% of all passengers from 2015-2021.
Not intended to be permanent
The airline operated its Orlando route three times a week utilizing Airbus A319 or A320 aircraft. Flight 2474 departed Lima at 08:35 and arrived in Orlando at approximately 15:55. Flight 2473 would return to Lima and departed Orlando at 17:15 and arrived in Lima at approximately 22:30.
The airline initially said earlier this year that Orlando service would be suspended until June 14th of next year, but in an update, the carrier indicated that flights would resume in March 2023.
Along with the suspension announcement, LATAM Perú provided some alternatives to passengers who had already booked the route.
Photo: Thomas Boon | Simple Flying
Changing the course to connections
The airline said passengers can still get to Orlando from Lima via São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil with flights that operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Affected passengers are also extended an airport change from Orlando International Airport to Miami International Airport on LATAM-operated flights free of charge.
Thanks to LATAM Airlines’ partnership with Delta Air Lines, additional alternatives are available. According to the carrier’s website, passengers can book flights on LATAM Perú metal nonstop to New York-JFK with a connecting flight to Orlando on Delta metal.
Next week, passengers will also have the option to get to Orlando via Miami. As indicated on AeroRoutes, Delta will begin nonstop service on November 6th from Miami to Orlando utilizing an Airbus A319.
A fruitful companionship
With intentions of a larger footprint in South America, Delta announced a deal to buy a 20% stake in LATAM in 2019, launching its partnership.
Photo: Delta Air Lines
The agreement came as a surprise to competitor American Airlines, who shared a long relationship with LATAM. Both American and LATAM (as LAN-Chile before merging with TAM Linhas Aéreas) were part of the same airline alliance, Oneworld for 20 years.
As a result, Delta paid the expenses for LATAM to leave Oneworld and closely align their partnership. LATAM has yet to join the SkyTeam alliance that Delta has been part of since 2000.
The acquisition has supported LATAM, especially since the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline group is set to exit Chapter 11 on November 3rd.
LATAM Airlines is the largest airline in South America. It has subsidiaries in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Perú. LATAM Perú’s main hub is at Jorge Chávez International Airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from downtown Lima.
Source: Aviacionline; Reuters; New Peruvian
Source: simpleflying.com
