Delta, LATAM launch joint frequent flyer benefits

Delta Air Lines and LATAM customers will have access to reciprocal frequent flyer earn and burn privileges on all flights in both networks from April 1, offering benefits over 435 destinations worldwide. Elite reciprocal benefits such as lounge access, priority boarding, bags and seats are expected to follow later in 2020. The airlines are also continuing to expand codesharing to more flights throughout the region and are co-locating operations in major hubs such as Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport and New York-JFK. READ: Malaysia Airlines strikes gold with best wine cellar in the sky The changes are the result of Delta’s decision to take a 20 percent stake in LATAM, gazumping previous partner American Airlines. The equity deal will see Delta and LATAM ultimately hold the leading position in five of the top six South American markets from the Us. “Together with LATAM, we are building an industry-leading and customer-focused partnership that connects North and South America like never before,” Delta president – international Steve Sear said in the announcement. “With frequent flyer reciprocity and new codeshare flight options, we’re already beginning to deliver on this partnership for our customers, with much more to come.” The latest Delta-LATAM codesharing expansion with the Latin group's Brazil affiliate will give passengers better connectivity on 37 LATAM routes in Brazil and up to 65 Delta routes in the US. Codesharing has already launched between Delta and LATAM’s affiliates in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. When fully implemented, Delta says these codesharing agreements would provide customers increased connectivity on up to 74 onward routes in the United States and up to 51 onward routes in South America. The Ecuador and Colombia flights are already accessible on delta.com for current flights and the Peru dea, which is still subject to final government approval, is scheduled to start March 29. Delta's Sao Paulo relocation to the airport’s Terminal 3 will also begin March 29 and LATAM has already relocated its operations to Terminal 4 at New York’s JFK to improve connections. The US carrier also has plans to broaden its footprint in South Florida with 13 new daily nonstop flights to Miami International Airport (MIA) from US hubs and corporate travel destinations such as  Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, Salt Lake City and Tampa. The new flight schedule is timed to maximize connectivity with LATAM and the two airlines are already conveniently co-located at Miami International Airport to allow swift connections  for customers.