LATAM Airlines Review: Safety, Service, and Value (2025)

Anyone who has booked a flight across Latin America has likely come across LATAM Airlines—the region’s largest carrier, born from a merger of Chile’s LAN and Brazil’s TAM. It holds a 4-Star Skytrax rating, but what does that actually mean for passengers? In this review, we separate the certification from real-world service, safety, and value to help you decide if LATAM is the right choice for your next trip.

Skytrax Rating: 4-Star Airline ·
Headquarters: Santiago, Chile ·
Fleet Size: Approximately 300 aircraft ·
Destinations: More than 20 countries across 5 continents ·
Ownership: Majority owned by Chilean group; Delta Air Lines holds 20% stake ·
Year Founded: 2012 (merger of LAN and TAM)

LATAM operates across a vast network and a complex ownership structure; the key facts below lay out the fundamentals.

Are LATAM Airlines a good airline?

What do customer reviews say?

LATAM holds a Skytrax 4-Star Airline certification, which evaluates airport and onboard product, staff service, seat comfort, amenities, food, cleanliness, and entertainment. On aggregators like Kayak and eSky, customer scores are mixed—some praise the premium cabins, others flag inconsistent service on domestic routes.

Is LATAM a cheap airline?

LATAM operates as a full-service carrier, not a low-cost model like Sky Airline. Fares are competitive within Latin America, but basic economy tickets include fewer perks. According to LATAM’s baggage policy page, carry-on allowance is standard, but checked bags cost extra on the cheapest fares. The trade-off: you get a loyalty program (LATAM Pass) and access to premium cabins—something pure low-cost carriers don’t offer.

Is LATAM considered a safe airline?

Which airline to stay away from?

LATAM’s safety record draws from its predecessors: LAN and TAM each operated under strict Chilean and Brazilian aviation authorities. The airline has no major recent accidents, and Airline Ratings safety score gives it a safety score of 7/7 (as of latest data). Skytrax’s COVID-19 safety audit conducted in April 2021 awarded LATAM a 4-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating—the only South American carrier to achieve it at that time (Skytrax COVID-19 safety certification page).

On Board safety – LATAM Airlines

• On-board safety procedures published on LATAM’s COVID-19 safety page
• Fleet includes modern Airbus A320neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner with enhanced safety systems
• Maintenance under EASA and FAA oversight on international routes

The implication: travelers can rely on LATAM’s safety record but should remain aware that full transparency across all regional subsidiaries is limited.

What country has LATAM Airlines?

Is LATAM owned by Delta?

LATAM Airlines Group is a Chilean multinational, headquartered in Santiago, Chile. Delta Air Lines acquired a 20% stake in 2020 for $1.9 billion (Wikipedia – LATAM Airlines). This partnership gives Delta access to LATAM’s extensive South American network, while LATAM leverages Delta’s North American and global routes. LATAM operates from hubs in Santiago, Lima, São Paulo, and Bogotá, serving over 20 countries.

Where is LATAM Airlines headquartered?

Corporate headquarters are at Avenida Presidente Riesco 5711, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. The group is publicly traded on the Santiago stock exchange under ticker LATAM.

The pattern: LATAM remains a Chilean-controlled carrier despite significant U.S. investment, a structure that preserves its regional identity while enabling global reach.

Which airline is better, Sky or LATAM?

Comparison of fares and routes

When choosing between the two Chilean carriers, the business model difference drives most of the trade-offs.

Customer satisfaction scores

Skytrax ratings place LATAM clearly ahead. On Google Flights, LATAM averages 4.0 stars vs Sky’s 3.2. For international travel, LATAM is the obvious choice. For short domestic hops in Chile, Sky’s lower base fares may appeal to budget travelers who don’t need frills.

How do I check in for a LATAM Airlines flight?

LATAM Airlines check-in online

Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure for most flights, and closes 1 hour before for domestic, 2 hours for international. Boarding passes can be downloaded or sent to mobile. LATAM’s check-in page details the process.

LATAM Airlines app

The LATAM app (iOS/Android) supports mobile check-in, digital boarding passes, flight status, and seat selection. It also handles bag tracking for checked luggage on select routes.

LATAM Airlines booking

Bookings are made via latam.com, the app, or travel agents. Changes and cancellations are managed through “My Trip” on the website. LATAM’s cancellation policy notes that refundable fares allow free changes; non-refundable tickets incur fees.

1. Visit latam.com or open the LATAM app.
2. Enter your booking reference and last name.
3. Select your flight and choose seats if available.
4. Download or email your boarding pass.
5. Proceed to baggage drop (if checking luggage) or head to security.

The catch: online check-in is straightforward, but baggage rules vary by fare class, so passengers should review their ticket details before arriving at the airport.

Timeline

• 2012: Merger of LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines forms LATAM Airlines Group
• 2015: LATAM joins oneworld as affiliate member (left in 2020)
• 2020: Delta acquires 20% stake; Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
• 2022: Emerges from Chapter 11 restructuring, reduces debt
• 2023: Skytrax awards 4-Star Airline status; network expansion resumes

Clarity section

What the experts say

LATAM Airlines has been certified as a 4-Star Airline for its airport and onboard product and staff service.

Skytrax Ratings (official airline rating page)

LATAM is the only airline in Latin America to achieve a 4-star Skytrax standard.

LATAM Airlines press release (corporate press release)

LATAM has a safety score of 7/7.

Airline Ratings (LATAM safety rating page)

Summary

LATAM Airlines delivers a solid product with clear strengths: a 4-star Skytrax certification, extensive network across the Americas and beyond, and a frequent flyer program that rewards loyal customers. The gaps are in service consistency and transparency of safety data across all subsidiaries. For a traveler booking a long-haul flight to South America, LATAM is a reliable choice—especially compared to regional low-cost alternatives. For domestic hops in Chile, Sky Airline may save you money, but for anything beyond, the LATAM full-service experience is hard to beat. The consequence for most flyers booking a long-haul route is that LATAM delivers a dependable, certified product worth the premium over budget alternatives.

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For travelers flying with the airline, the LATAM check-in guide provides step-by-step instructions for automated check-in across different regions.

Frequently asked questions