Booked on LATAM? Here’s what AA passengers need to know

When Delta announced this week that it would be buying a 20% stake in LATAM, it sent shockwaves through the aviation world, and rattled frequent flyers. Almost immediately, American Airlines suspended the ability for customers to book codeshare flights.

Although a spokesperson for American says the airline has not "heard of any customers being denied travel," American is providing some additional information on its website to help its customers understand what to expect over the next few months since "a lot of inaccurate information is circulating."

AA says that passengers holding tickets will still be able to travel as planned; there have been no changes to the current interline agreements between the airlines. Passengers can still expect to be able to check baggage, earn AAdvantage frequent flyer miles, and even have reciprocal access to clubs based on Oneworld agreements. The full statement reads:

American Airlines continues to accept customers and baggage of ticketed LATAM customers who are scheduled to fly on American in accordance with our current interline and oneworld agreements. Additionally, LATAM continues to accept American Airlines customers as well. There is no change for American or LATAM customers, and American is not aware of any customers who are being denied travel.

There is currently no change to our frequent flyer agreement or reciprocal club access for eligible customers of American or LATAM. AAdvantage® members will continue to earn miles on flights marketed by LATAM.

Over the next few months, as we wind down our agreements with LATAM that are still intact today, American will work with LATAM to ensure all of our customers are taken care of. American has suspended new codeshare bookings only. American remains the largest U.S. carrier to both Latin and South America and we look forward to competing and growing in this region of the world.

AA also says that its "top priority is taking care of our customers to ensure their travel experience remains seamless." If a customer needs to make changes to an existing itinerary involving an American codeshare flight operated by LATAM to a market that American serves, American will rebook the customer on an American flight.

LATAM had been a partner with American Airlines and its Oneworld alliance and had been seeking deeper ties. Delta, part of the SkyTeam alliance, currently has a equity stake in Brazilian carrier GOL, a tie-up that now is expected to end. Oneworld has already announced that LATAM will leave the group.

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