LATAM Airlines, The Best Airline in South America for the Fifth Year in a Row

July, 2024.-  

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 LATAM Airlines, the multinational airline originating from Chile that operates in several South American countries,  was awarded "Best Airline in South America" for the fifth consecutive year at the 2024 World Airline Awards held in Paris.

Known as the "Oscars of the airline industry," the awards are given by Skytrax, a consulting firm headquartered in London, and are presented annually to airlines and airports based on the opinions of millions of travelers worldwide.

But not only that, LATAM was also recognized in the "Best Airline Staff in South America" category for three consecutive years. Paulo Miranda, Vice President of Customer Relations at LATAM Airlines Group, stated: “It is a great honor to receive the Best Airline in South America award for the fifth consecutive year, and we are proud of our staff, who have achieved the Best Airline Staff in South America title for the third consecutive year. These recognitions are taken with great responsibility by the entire group, and they motivate us to remain committed to the experience of each of our customers.”

About the Airline 

LATAM, originally known as LAN Airlines, was founded on March 5, 1929, as Línea Aérea Nacional (LAN Chile). Over the years, it has evolved and merged with the Brazilian airline TAM and other smaller airlines operating in the region to form LATAM Airlines Group in 2012. 

Today, it is considered the largest airline in Latin America, operating in multiple countries in the region and beyond. Although the name "LATAM" does not have a specific meaning related to Latin America, the current name reflects the company's expansion and consolidation across Latin America following the merger of LAN and TAM.

Other interesting facts about LATAM Airlines

Its main hub is Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago de Chile, with secondary hubs at the airports in São Paulo, Lima, Bogotá, Quito, Guayaquil, and Asunción.

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LATAM Airlines has its roots in the Línea Aeropostal Santiago-Arica, which was founded by the Chilean government in 1929. Over time, this airline evolved into LAN Chile and, later, into LAN Airlines in 2005, reflecting its expansion and diversification in the international market. 

The merger with the Brazilian TAM Linhas Aéreas, marked a significant milestone. In 2012, LAN and TAM joined forces to form LATAM Airlines Group, consolidating their operations under the LATAM brand in 2015. This move facilitated access to more destinations and improved the customer experience. Since May 2016, LATAM Airlines has officially operated under its new brand, symbolizing a new era of growth and modernization in South American aviation.

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As of July 2024, LATAM offers services to 136 international destinations in 27 countries across North, Central, and South America, Europe, and Asia. Within Chile, it includes 18 cities. The airline also plans to expand its routes to new destinations in the future, including cities in Germany and Qatar.

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To date, LATAM's fleet consists of 311 aircraft, including 57 Boeing models (767, 777, and 787) and 238 Airbus models (A319, A320, A320neo, and A321). Additionally, LATAM plans to renew and expand its fleet with over 100 additional aircraft of the A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR models by the end of the decade.

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LATAM has implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, including modernizing its fleet with more efficient aircraft and using biofuels. The airline is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

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Over the years, LATAM Airlines has received numerous awards and recognitions for its service quality, including accolades for customer service and operational efficiency. This positions it as one of the most admired airlines in the region.

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