LATAM has unveiled a big new order for Embraer jets that could support new U.S. flights for the South American airline.
The Santiago, Chile-based carrier will take up to 74 E195-E2 jets from Embraer beginning in the second half of 2026, LATAM said Monday. The planes that seat around 132 passengers in a single-class layout will initially fly at the airline’s Brazilian subsidiary.
Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM, said in a statement the deal would allow the airline “to continue on our path of profitable growth by enhancing that connectivity through the opening of new destinations.”
The Embraer deal is the latest in LATAM’s impressive turnaround. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the carrier to restructure in Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S., a process where it shed planes, cut routes and closed its subsidiary in Argentina. Since exiting bankruptcy in late 2022, the airline has grown and deepened ties with both Delta Air Lines and Qatar Airways.
Since 2022, LATAM has added at least six new U.S. routes, including in headline markets like Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) to Miami International Airport (MIA) — a route it axed in 2020 — and Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
LATAM has a joint venture with Delta Air Lines that allows, among other things, the airlines to coordinate schedules and fares on flights between the U.S. and South America.
For Embraer, the LATAM order is its second in as many weeks following a landmark deal from U.S. discounter Avelo Airlines for up to 100 planes. The Avelo order was Embraer’s first for the E195-E2 in the U.S. market.
Where could LATAM fly the E2?
LATAM will first use its E195-E2s to expand in Brazil. The planes will allow it to better compete with Azul Brazilian Airlines, which, despite being smaller than LATAM, serves almost 2 1/2 times more destinations in the country with a diverse fleet of Airbus and Embraer jets and ATR turboprops.
A decade ago, LATAM considered ordering a small jet to fill out its Brazilian network and support a new hub in the northeast of the country at Fortaleza-Pinto Martins International Airport (FOR), Natal International Airport (NAT) or Recife/Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC). Those plans were shelved due to political and economic uncertainty.
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The E2 order could revive the plans for a northeastern hub to fill out LATAM’s route map in Brazil. And, while the E2’s range of 3,450 miles (3,000 nautical miles) is too short for new Brazil-U.S. flights, more regional flights could support connectivity and new routes to the U.S. on other planes in the airline’s fleet.
Prior to LATAM’s restructuring, the airline served Miami International Airport (MIA) from REC and airports in Belem, Manaus and Salvador, schedules from aviation analytics firm Cirium show.
Future E2 possibilities at LATAM
Down the road, LATAM could use the E195-E2s to expand its U.S. network from its bases at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia and Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Peru. The plane can reach destinations in Florida and the Southeast — areas of strength for partner Delta — from both airports.
For example, flights from BOG to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), a rapidly expanding focus city for Delta, are possible with the E2.
The E2 could also open new routes to Delta’s hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to secondary cities in northern South America.
LATAM said it would consider flying the E2 at its affiliates in Chile, Colombia and Peru “potentially later.”