Delta Air Lines will operate a second Atlanta-Santiago frequency from December 3, 2026 to March 28, 2027, nearly four months, compared with about six weeks last summer. With the extra flight, the route will have up to 10 weekly flights and 5,146 seats per week, Delta's communications director for the Americas, Soledad Lago, told El Aéreo on October 30.
The extension was announced on October 29 at the "Fly Smart, Travel Better" event in Santiago. "We are expanding and extending this second frequency precisely because of the demand in high season," said Gabriela Cioccia, Delta's regional sales manager for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, according to Ladevi.
Delta Santiago-Atlanta: dates and capacity of the second flight
| Atlanta-Santiago route | Regular daily flight | Extra summer frequency | Summer total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Year-round | December 3, 2026 to March 28, 2027 | — |
| Aircraft | Airbus A350-900 | Boeing 767-300ER | — |
| Flights per week | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Seats per week | 3,850 | 1,296 | 5,146 |
Source: Delta, via El Aéreo (10-30-2026). Ladevi reported the extension through "late March"; El Aéreo specifies March 28 and the aircraft for the extra flight. Schedules and flight numbers for the extra frequency were not disclosed: check delta.com when booking.
"For us, the Chilean market is super relevant," Lago said, explaining that the increase responds to "very significant" summer demand from both tourism and corporate travel. Delta has been in Chile for 25 years and has upsized the aircraft on the route from the Boeing 767-300ER to the Airbus A330-300 and then the A350-900.
What changes in Delta One, the premium cabin
Delta will also renew Delta One, its long-haul business cabin. The upgrade began on some Los Angeles-Asia flights and will roll out globally from 2027, including flights from Santiago, according to Ladevi. The route already offers four cabins on the A350-900, including Delta Premium Select, its premium economy class.
| New Delta One | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Menu | Redesigned with British chef Simon Hulstone | Ladevi |
| Drinks | Updated wine and cocktail list, with alcohol-free options | Ladevi |
| Bedding | Developed with Missoni | Ladevi |
| Meal selection | Up to 18 hours before the flight | Ladevi |
| Sleep options | Light breakfast or grouped meals to sleep sooner | Ladevi |
| Arrival in Santiago | From 2027 (global rollout) | Ladevi |
Do you run a hotel, a winery or an agency that hosts travelers from the United States? Reach them in English with Viajando Chile.
See advertising optionsDelta and LATAM: the network to the United States
The joint business agreement between Delta and LATAM turned four in October. According to Cioccia, combined capacity has grown more than 31% since it began and it has carried 17 million passengers, with 28 direct routes to the United States and more than 300 destinations between Latin America and the US. From Atlanta, passengers connect to much of the United States and Canada.
| Delta-LATAM joint venture | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Years in operation | 4 (October 2026) | Ladevi |
| Growth in combined capacity | More than 31% | Ladevi |
| Passengers carried | 17 million | Ladevi |
| Direct routes to the United States | 28 | Ladevi |
| Destinations between Latin America and the US | More than 300 | Ladevi |
Delta's bet comes in a market that had shrunk: Santiago airport went through months of falling passenger numbers, and other North American airlines have announced their return or more flights for the summer. See which carriers move the most passengers in the ranking of airlines with the most passengers in Chile.
What the second Santiago-Atlanta flight means for US tourists
The extra flight coincides with the season when most Americans travel to Chile. Between January and August 2026, 163,265 US tourists arrived, up 10% year on year, and the monthly record is December 2025, with 43,699, according to the official series we analyzed in US tourists in Chile. Each spent an average of US$1,311 per trip in 2023, more than double the average tourist.
For Chilean travelers, the flight makes it easier to reach the US under the Visa Waiver, whose overstay rate we reviewed in this story. For tourists coming to Chile, more seats in high season usually help contain fares, although Delta did not disclose prices.
Frequently asked questions
When does Delta's second Santiago-Atlanta flight operate?
From December 3, 2026 to March 28, 2027, three times a week, in addition to the daily flight.
What aircraft does Delta use between Atlanta and Santiago?
The daily flight uses an Airbus A350-900. The extra summer frequency uses a Boeing 767-300ER.
How many weekly flights will Delta have to Chile this summer?
Up to 10 a week, with 5,146 weekly seats, according to Delta.
When does the new Delta One reach Santiago?
Delta said the upgrade will roll out globally from 2027, including flights from Santiago. It gave no exact date.
