United States Moves with Brazil and More as Delta and LATAM Boost Americas Flight Capacity by 31% Since 2023

The United States moves with Brazil and more markets as Delta and LATAM report a 31% boost in Americas flight capacity since 2023, supported by expanded routes and coordinated networks that give travellers more connections. With 28 joint routes in their review published on 5 October 2026. Eligible travellers can also use reciprocal loyalty benefits. The booking opportunity lies beyond the percentage. Compare which itinerary gets you closest to your destination, preserves useful holiday time and includes the services you need. A bigger network deserves a fresh search—not an automatic booking.

Delta–LATAM Capacity Growth: What the Numbers Measure

Between October 2022 and July 2026, the partnership recorded 83,000 flights, 20.8 million seats and 17.4 million customers, alongside 79.1 billion available seat miles and 298 million miles flown. These are cumulative airline-reported totals, not 2026-only traffic.

The release does not specify whether its capacity comparison uses full-year schedules or an elapsed period.

Keep the reporting periods attached when comparing announcements. A cumulative passenger total and a capacity increase answer different questions; neither counts the unique holidaymakers visiting a destination.

Brazil, Ecuador and Peru: Compare Growth on Equal Terms

Coverage spans the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. This includes connecting networks, not nonstop flights between every country.

Argentina uses a different baseline, so these figures cannot support a like-for-like ranking. Use the table to identify markets worth checking, then search your exact city pair and dates.

Americas Flight Routes: Check Dates Before Booking Hotels

Expansion examples include São Paulo–Los Angeles, Bogotá–Orlando, Guayaquil–New York, Atlanta–Cartagena and Rio de Janeiro–JFK.

LATAM advertises one daily direct Miami–Buenos Aires flight, taking approximately nine hours. Availability and schedules remain date-dependent.

Argentina’s April 2025 inclusion offered access to more than 200 destinations across Argentina, the United States and Canada—not 200 nonstop routes.

Seasonality needs particular care. Delta’s original Salt Lake City–Lima announcement covered 4 December 2025–25 January 2026. That notice cannot confirm October 2026 operations or another winter season.

Delta’s 2025 review listed 30 direct routes, versus 28 in the newer report. Neither explains the difference sufficiently to establish two cancellations. Confirm both travel directions before committing to accommodation.

Airline Fares: Compare the Trip, Not the Two Logos

US Department of Transportation records confirm approval on 30 September 2022, with Ecuador added on 23 January 2024 and Argentina on 25 February 2025. DOT granted antitrust immunity for ten years, subject to its terms. This is an airline arrangement, not a government tourism programme.

The SEC-filed agreement allows coordinated pricing, capacity and routes while retaining separate operating airlines.

Consequently, two brands within the venture do not necessarily represent two independent fare competitors. Compare their complete itinerary with alternatives on equal terms. Include baggage, seats, changes and any overnight connection in your assessment of value.

LATAM’s August Traffic: Keep Group Results Separate

LATAM Group—not the joint venture alone—carried 7.893 million passengers in August 2026, up 2.6% annually. Its load factor reached 83.5%.

Capacity rose 7.0% to 15.989 billion available seat kilometres; passenger traffic increased 4.7% to 13.353 billion revenue passenger kilometres. International capacity climbed 7.3% to 8.719 billion seat kilometres.

January–August passengers totalled 59.933 million, up 4.9%, while capacity grew 9.1%.

Supply therefore expanded faster than passenger traffic in August. That is useful context, but it cannot predict your flight’s price, its occupancy or tourism spending generated by the partnership.

SkyMiles and LATAM Pass: Your Ticket Seller Matters

SkyMiles members can earn and redeem miles on eligible LATAM flights. LATAM Pass publishes different earning rules according to who sells and operates the service:

These are LATAM Pass rules, not SkyMiles earning rates. LATAM Pass also supports combined LATAM–Delta award itineraries.

The practical insight is to compare the loyalty outcome before payment, not after flying. Missing partner miles can be requested after two weeks; Delta-flight claims have a 365-day deadline from travel.

Baggage and Lounge Access: Verify Each Benefit Separately

Eligible Delta Medallion members receive LATAM benefits including priority services, regular-seat fee waivers and additional baggage. Conditions apply.

Lounge access follows separate rules. Delta excludes Basic Economy and comparable partner Light or basic tickets from Sky Club access. Diamond, Platinum or Gold status alone does not provide entry when travelling internationally in Delta Main or Delta Comfort.

Value the benefits your trip needs. For a long family visit, baggage may deserve more weight than lounge access. For a short break with cabin luggage, do not assign value to an extra checked bag you will not use.

Airport Connections: Shared Terminals Still Need Planning

Delta lists shared terminals with LATAM at JFK, Miami, São Paulo, Santiago, Bogotá and Lima. It advises requesting special meals at least 48 hours before departure.

Shared terminals do not replace border permission. US transit may require a Transit C visa, a valid visitor visa or eligible Visa Waiver Programme travel with approved ESTA. Canadian citizens do not require a transit visa. Sightseeing needs appropriate entry permission.

Check documentation before choosing a US transfer. Then assess connection time and the onward journey independently, rather than treating terminal convenience as approval of the whole itinerary.

US Flight Refunds: Protection Beyond Loyalty Status

For flights covered by US rules, cancellation or a significant change can create refund rights when you decline travel and alternative compensation. International triggers include arrival six hours or more later, or a different origin or destination airport.

An added connection can also qualify, without a six-hour delay. Assess the revised journey before accepting it.

For agency bookings, identify the merchant of record shown on your payment statement. That entity handles eligible airfare refunds. Knowing who took payment is therefore useful for resolving disruption, not merely checking loyalty earnings.

Better Americas Travel Starts With Three Booking Tests

Before paying, check:

• Usable holiday time: Compare arrival, onward transport and the return journey.
• Complete trip cost: Include required extras and any overnight stop.
• Confirmed conditions: Verify seasonal operation, earning rules, benefits and border documents.

Choose the itinerary that fits your trip—not the largest percentage or longest route list. The strongest personal gain is a booking that turns wider airline choice into a journey you can actually enjoy.

The United States moves with Brazil and more markets as new routes help Delta and LATAM boost Americas flight capacity by 31% since 2023.

In conclusion, the United States moves with Brazil and more markets as Delta and LATAM boost Americas flight capacity by a reported 31% since 2023, supported by expanded routes and coordinated networks. Travelers can get more connection choices, earn loyalty points but save on ticket prices. The benefit is in selecting itinerary that optimises overall cost, convenient flight times and guaranteed ticket benefits.