LATAM adds new Orlando to Bogota route under Delta joint venture
The tie-up between Delta Air Lines and South American mega-carrier LATAM is expanding to include a brand-new route.
The two carriers announced on Monday that new service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Colombia, will commence on July 1, using a 174-seat Airbus A320 jet operated by LATAM Colombia.
The new route will operate daily and go up against existing services in the market operated by Colombian flag carrier Avianca and ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines.
"Through the Joint Venture with Delta, we will improve our presence in the United States market, which continues to be one of the most important international destinations for Colombian passengers," Santiago Alvarez, CEO of LATAM Airlines Colombia, said in a statement.
The new route comes just a few months after the joint venture partnership between Delta and LATAM was approved by regulators. The Atlanta-based carrier shocked the industry in September 2019 when it announced that it was taking a 20% stake in LATAM, pulling the airline away from the Oneworld frequent flyer alliance.
As part of the investment, Delta is working to create a strategic alliance with LATAM, boosting flights in Miami and other key U.S. gateway airports to Latin America.
Delta and LATAM have already rolled out multiple customer-facing enhancements under the joint venture, including reciprocal frequent flyer accrual, redemption and elite perks, lounge access benefits and more.
The joint venture allows the two carriers to split revenue on flights between the U.S. and Canada, and South America. The deal also comes with antitrust immunity, meaning that Delta and LATAM can coordinate schedules and fares in those markets.
In addition to the new Orlando to Bogota route, LATAM recently announced new service from Los Angeles to Sao Paulo as the first new market under the joint venture partnership.
LATAM has operations focused on Chile, Brazil and several other countries in South America. So, it likely won't be much longer until the two airlines announce more new routes or additional ways they are cooperating.
For Delta, the deal with LATAM continues its strategy of taking “equity stakes” in strategic partners it wishes to do business with. Most notable is Virgin Atlantic, with Delta now owning a 49% stake in the London-based carrier. The two carriers essentially operate as one on transatlantic flights between the U.S. and the U.K.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees