Delta-Latam Tie-Up Could Expand SkyTeam Reach in South America
Photo Credit: Latam's new livery on a B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Delta and the SkyTeam alliance have been historically weak in South America, but there could be some major loyalty shiffs once Delta's deal with Latam is finalized and set in motion. Latam Airlines
Skift Take
The new partnership in the works between Delta and Latam may drastically affect the way that Oneworld and SkyTeam loyalists shift their business. But there's still no timeline for when any changes will happen.
News broke late last month that Delta Air Lines is buying a stake in South American carrier Latam. American, which is already invested in Latam and which was pursuing a joint venture with the carrier, would get pushed to the side in the transaction.
While the partnership is for the most part still business as usual for American, Latam, and the Oneworld passengers that fly up and down the western hemisphere, many are waiting for the other shoe to drop. For years American and Latam have owned a big part of travel between North and South America. And if Latam starts working with Delta and the SkyTeam alliance, there may be some major loyalty shifts in the works.
Latam, for its part, maintains that it is not joining the Skyteam alliance, but it would also be foolis
