Delta, LATAM expand network in Brazil with new and returning services to Rio de Janeiro

The new flights operated by Delta Air Lines from Rio de Janeiro arrived in Atlanta and New York Dec. 17, both associated with the Joint Venture Agreement with LATAM.

Flight DL60, from Rio de Janeiro to Atlanta – which will now be a year-round operation – took off from Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, landing at Delta’s main hub at 5:15 p.m. (local time). Shortly afterwards, at 10:15 a.m., flight DL244 departed Rio for New York-JFK, landing in the U.S. city at 6:30 p.m. (local time). This frequency is seasonal and will be offered until Feb. 21, 2024*, after which Delta’s Atlanta service will continue to provide easy access and connections between the two destinations.

Both routes are operated by a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with four cabins: Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin. They are new additions to the daily direct services that Delta already offers from São Paulo (two frequencies to Atlanta and one to New York-JFK), now totaling five daily flights between Brazil and the United States – the largest schedule ever offered by Delta in Brazil in its 26 years of operations in the country.

“We are extremely happy with the return of Delta’s direct services between Rio de Janeiro and the United States, yet another demonstration of the recovery of the travel industry in both countries and proving the importance of Rio as a gateway for international tourists, as well as Delta’s focus on taking its customers to the places they most want to go,” said Danillo Barbizan, Delta Sales Manager – Brazil. “I also emphasize the great value and scope of our partnership with LATAM, which, with the capillarity of its network in Brazil, is helping us to supply these flights and ensure faster and more comfortable connections for our customers, which adds to the numerous reciprocal benefits for frequent flyers.”

“Another advantage is the fact that the flights leave Rio in the morning, which makes it easier for those coming from some parts of Brazil to connect and, when arriving at our hubs in Atlanta and New York-JFK, our clients can still take advantage of connections to other destinations in the United States in the late afternoon and early evening,” Barbizan pointed out.

Delta’s enthusiasm for the resumption of flights in the “Marvelous City” is justified: In the three years prior to the pandemic, the airline carried more than half a million passengers between the United States and Rio de Janeiro. In addition, the two routes add to Delta’s service to the Top 5 long-haul South American destinations from Atlanta and New York-JFK through its Joint Venture with LATAM, further strengthening Delta’s commitment to the region.

«We are very happy with the start of these flights. Thanks to our Joint Venture, two global companies can now offer their customers simpler and faster trips with the best routes, schedules and connections, as well as reciprocal benefits for frequent flyers», says Aline Mafra, Director of Sales and Marketing at LATAM Brasil. «It is worth highlighting that to enhance these two new Delta routes, LATAM increased its offering at Galeão, further reinforcing its commitment to democratizing air transport in the country, facilitating the connection of Rio de Janeiro residents with the USA and the world, and bringing even more foreigners to discover the Marvelous City and Brazil.»

To celebrate the launch of the flights, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in the international boarding area of Rio de Janeiro International Airport with employees and crew members of Delta and LATAM, reiterating the strength of the leading partnership in connecting North and South America.

«Delta’s definitive return to Rio de Janeiro once again highlights the effectiveness of the coordination among the city’s airports. Through GIG, Delta will be able to connect its passengers from Atlanta and New York on flights operated by its partner, LATAM, to various destinations in Brazil. In addition to enhancing connectivity, by adding a new destination to our international air network, Rio de Janeiro will directly benefit from increased tourist flow from North America and business opportunities that will arise as we bring the Marvelous City even closer to the United States,» said Rafael Sampaio, Traffic Development Manager at RIO Galeão.

Schedule of new service between Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Atlanta (ATL)

Schedule of new service between Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and New York (JFK)*

*Schedules subject to change. Seasonal GIG-JFK service will operate until February 21, 2024 from JFK, and until Feb. 22, 2024 from GIG.

THE DELTA-LATAM JOINT VENTURE

In recent months, the Delta-LATAM Joint Venture has announced exciting expansions in its services between the United States and South America, including new routes and enhanced frequencies. Among the routes already in operation due to the partnership are Orlando-Bogotá, Los Angeles-Sao Paulo, Medellín-Miami and a second Lima-Atlanta frequency, all operated by LATAM. Additionally, Delta has introduced its second daily flight between Atlanta and Bogotá. And this December, in addition to the Rio de Janeiro-Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro-New York/JFK frequencies, the partners will introduce the Atlanta to Cartagena route, which will be operated by Delta from Dec. 22.

In 2024, the joint venture agreement will continue to be developed and enhanced to bring new routes and additional benefits to passengers flying between North and South America, who already have more than 300 destinations for their trips on both sides of the continent; terminal sharing at airports such as New York-JFK, São Paulo-GRU and Santiago, Chile; and mutual access, for eligible customers, to 53 Delta Sky Club lounges in the United States and five LATAM Lounges in South America. There are also a series of reciprocal elite benefits for customers of the Delta SkyMiles and LATAM Pass loyalty programs, such as priority check-in, boarding and baggage management and additional baggage allowance, among other advantages.