LATAM Opens Sales for Direct Quito-Santiago Flights Starting in December

LATAM has opened ticket sales for a new direct route between Quito and Santiago de Chile.

The flights are scheduled to begin in December 2026 with four weekly frequencies between the two capitals.

What Changes for Travelers

The airline says the direct route will reduce travel time by about one and a half to three hours compared with options that require connections.

LATAM expects to add about 35,000 seats per year on the route.

The service will use Airbus A320neo aircraft with Economy and Premium Economy cabins.

Connections Beyond Chile

Santiago is one of LATAM's major regional hubs.

From there, passengers can connect to domestic destinations in Chile and Brazil, and through LATAM's long-haul network. The route also opens a connection path to Auckland, New Zealand.

What This Means for Expats

For expats in Ecuador, this is mainly a connectivity story. Direct Quito-Santiago service gives travelers another way to reach Chile, southern South America and some onward routes without building every trip around Panama, Lima, Bogota or the United States.

It will matter most for people who travel often, receive visitors, or use Quito as their main international gateway.