LATAM Airlines returns to Melbourne

LATAM Melbourne Airport on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Edited by Travel Weekly


    LATAM Airlines has restarted its flights to Melbourne, Australia, following a pause of almost three and a half years due to the pandemic.

    At 5:30 am, flight LA805 landed at Melbourne Airport with 292 passengers on board. These passengers were greeted with a celebratory gift from both Melbourne Airport and LATAM Airlines.

    Starting today, LATAM Airlines will offer three direct flights per week between Melbourne and Santiago, Chile. This service will be operated on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, allowing up to 900 passengers a week to travel to South America in under 13 hours.

    LATAM crew celebrate at Melbourne Airport.

    LATAM Melbourne Airport on Saturday, September 2, 2023.

    LATAM Airlines resumed services to Australia in March 2022, with Sydney via Auckland to Santiago flights operating three times a week. Currently, LATAM offers daily flights from Sydney via Auckland to Santiago, and with the addition of the Melbourne-Santiago direct route, LATAM Airlines will operate a total of ten flights per week between Australia and South America.

    Chris Ellis, LATAM Airlines Country Manager – Oceania, said:
    “LATAM Airlines is excited to relaunch our direct flights to Santiago, Chile. With the support of the Victorian Government and Melbourne Airport, we are able to meet the high demand for travel to South America. Our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will operate three weekly direct services between Melbourne and Santiago, offering over 900 seats per week for both business and leisure travellers. With our return to Melbourne Airport, we now have a total of ten weekly flights connecting Australia and South America.”

    Chris further stated, “LATAM Airlines is the leading airline in South America, serving over 144 destinations. Whether it’s for leisure or business, there is so much to explore in this
    remarkable part of the world. We take pride in being pioneers in the region and global leaders in sustainability. By the end of this year, we will have eliminated single-use plastics, and our goal is to become a zero-waste-to-landfill airline by 2027. We can’t wait to have you on board with us soon.”

    Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said:
    “LATAM’s return to Melbourne is a vote of confidence in our visitor economy as we welcome back more tourists and students from Latin America while boosting exports and local jobs.”

    Lorie Argus, Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer, said:
    “LATAM is South America’s largest airline and we’re incredibly proud to welcome them back to Melbourne.” “The resumption of flights to Santiago restores our direct connection to South America
    and also brings the number of international carriers flying into Melbourne back to pre-pandemic levels.

    “These direct flights are not only great for Victoria, thanks to Melbourne Airport’s single terminal precinct, they also provide an easier connection for travellers from Tasmania,
    South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT.”

    Passengers travelling on LATAM Airlines flight LA804 on Saturday, 2 September, were gifted a traditional South American sweet biscuit (alfajor) at check-in and were entertained with some traditional Chilean Cueca dancing.

    Latest News

    • Cruise

    Cunard previews new Queen Anne

    The VIP experience included a series of expert panels, with key partners and collaborators across dining, design and wellness revealing how they brought Queen Anne’s headline concepts to life. Two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux hosted an intimate Q&A in the Queens Room. The acclaimed chef has created an exclusive gala menu for Queen Anne‘s Queens […]

    • Destinations
    • Tour Operators

    Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland

    Bunnik Tours has announced its latest exciting expansion with the small tour specialist’s new Discover Iceland tour. Taking travellers to a bucket list icon, the tour explores the rugged landscapes and stunning glaciers that make Iceland such a hotspot. Kicking off in the capital, Reykjavik the tour then heads along the famous Ring Road to […]

    • Destinations

    Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25

    Australia’s first ‘glamping’ property – Paperbark Camp on the NSW South Coast – has celebrated its milestone 25th birthday with a sumptuous, under-the-stars banquet. The deluxe eco retreat at Jervis Bay was opened on April 27, 1999, by Sydney couple Jeremy and Irena Hutchings who were inspired by the safari tents they saw on an […]

    • Products

    Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

    If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

    • Tourism

    Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs

    Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull is departing the agency with effect from Friday May 10. Over the past three years, Turnbull played an instrumental role in driving growth, with one of the agency’s most significant achievements being the increase in visitor spend. Under her leadership, Tourism WA achieved a record breaking $17.7 billion in […]

    • Travel Agents

    DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign

    DriveAway has launched its Brit-Euro Blitz: Explore the UK, Europe & Ireland campaign, designed to inspire travellers to uncover the beauty and diversity of those destinations during May and June. The campaign arrives amidst a surge in popularity for destinations across the UK, Europe and Ireland, with year-to-date increases averaging around 30%. Notably, cities such […]

    • Road & Rail

    Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern

    Great Southern’s Fly and Stay Free special offer will have travellers taking in the views along the east coast between Adelaide and Brisbane next summer. This bright orange locomotive chases the summer sun, sharing the incredible coastline with those who want to experience it by train. The journey reflects the best of Australia, from charming […]

    • Tourism

    Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips

    Gen Z travellers prefer to limit alcohol when overseas and have an increased reliance on TikTok when planning a trip, according to a report by StudentUniverse, the world’s largest online travel retailer for young people. The State of Student & Youth Travel Report for 2024 delved into the latest travel sentiments amongst those aged 18-25 […]

    • Tour Operators
    • Tourism

    TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

    The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

    • Aviation

    Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

    Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

    • Hotels

    Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

    Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

    • Luxury
    • News

    Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

    Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]