Top To Bottom: A Look At The Airlines Operating The Most Flights Between The US & South America (2024)

Travel between the US and South America is expanding more than ever as economic and cultural ties between the two regions strengthen. In June, over 7,000 flights are scheduled between the Americas. Fifteen airlines provide direct service, with American Airlines leading the charts (1,877 flights). The other top five carriers on these routes are avianca, LATAM Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Principal US cities on the routes include Atlanta (ATL), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), and Washington Dulles (IAD). The most popular South American destinations include Bogotá (BOG), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), São Paulo (GRU), and Lima (LIM).

Photo: Vincenzo Pace| Simple Flying

1 American Airlines

1,877 flights in June

Per Cirium, an aviation analytics company, the airline with the most flights between the US and South America is American Airlines. The airline will operate a total of 1,877 flights in June, providing 374,559 seats for travelers. According to American Airlines’ website, it delivers service from the US to over ten South American countries, including:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Guyana
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Uruguay

Over fifteen South American cities in these countries receive regular June American Airlines flights from one of the carrier’s nine hubs. These direct flights depart from the airline’s Florida hub in Miami (MIA).

Photo: GC Map

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American Airlines employs various aircraft on its routes to South America, depending on the route distance and passenger demand. Per Flightradar24, the airline covers these flights with Airbus aircraft, such as the A321 and A321neo, and Boeing aircraft, such as the 737, 737 MAX 8, 777, and 787.

2 avianca

1,453 June flights

The airline with the second most flights between the US and South America is avianca. This airline is Colombia’s largest and has been the country’s flag carrier since 1919. The Star Alliance partner is the second-largest airline in South America after LATAM Airlines.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace| Simple Flying

avianca operates 1,453 June flights between the Americas, transporting up to 263,552 passengers. According to the airline’s website, it provides service to over 30 South American cities. The main destinations are Brazil and Colombia, with service to 24 different cities. Additional South American destinations include:

• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Curaçao
• Ecuador

avianca flies the majority of its direct flights to South America from Miami (MIA) and New York JFK, although it also operates out of Orlando (MCO), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Because the airline’s fleet consists primarily of narrowbody aircraft, these routes are typically covered by Airbus A320s or A320neos. However, on some routes, such as MIA–BOG and JFK–BOG, avianca also uses its Boeing 787s.

Photo: GC Map

3 LATAM Airlines

1,252 flights in June

The airline with the third-highest number of flights connecting the US and South America is another South American carrier, LATAM Airlines. This Chilean multinational airline was formerly known as LAN Airlines and was Chile’s flag carrier until the airline was privatized in the 1990s. LATAM is currently the largest airline in South America.

It is interesting to note LATAM’s partnership with Delta Air Lines. In 2022, the two airlines launched their joint venture. According to Delta’s website, the partners currently serve over 300 destinations in the Americas, forming the most comprehensive combined network in the Western Hemisphere.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace| Simple Flying

In June, LATAM will operate 1,252 flights between the US and South America, providing travel for 304,893 passengers. Most of these routes include destinations or origins in Brazil, specifically São Paulo (GRU) and Fortaleza (FOR). Per LATAM’S website, it directly operates (without involvement from Delta) nonstop flights to three South American countries from the US:

• Brazil
• Colombia
• Peru

Most of LATAM’s US–South America flights originate in Miami (MIA). However, the airline also offers direct flights to the Southern Hemisphere from Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK), and Boston (BOS).

LATAM uses a variety of Boeing aircraft to cover these routes between the Americas, including the 767, 777, and 787. The airline also uses its A320s on many of the routes.

Photo: GC Map

4 United Airlines

814 flights in June

United Airlines comes in fourth place, with 814 June flights between the US and South America. This is a drop from its third-place position in 2019, reflecting the airline’s pursuit of dominance in other geographic regions, such as Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

According to United’s website, it operates direct flights from the US to seven South American countries:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Guyana
• Peru

These flights are operated from four of United’s eight hubs: Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), and Washington Dulles (IAD). Most of the flights include IAH, a major United hub.

United operates its Boeing fleet on these routes, providing 171,844 seats in June. The aircraft used include the 737, 737 MAX 8, 757 and 767. For longer routes, such as those to and from São Paulo (GRU), United uses its 777s and 787s.

5 Delta Air Lines

663 flights in June

Delta Air Lines completes the list of the top five airlines with June routes connecting the US and South America. The leading US carrier operates 663 flights between the Americas, providing 166,347 seats for passengers. According to Delta’s website, it offers direct flights to six South American countries:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Curaçao
• Peru

Photo: Vincenzo Pace| Simple Flying

While most of these southbound flights depart from Delta’s main hub, Atlanta (ATL), the founding SkyTeam member also operates direct flights from New York (NYC) to Bogotá (BOG) and São Paulo (GRU).

Delta primarily uses its 767s or A330s on South American routes. However, the airline also provides service to several destinations with its 737s, 757s, and A350s.

Photo: GC Map

Other carriers between the Americas

Ten other airlines provide direct flights between the US and South America in June, offering transport for up to 342,793 additional passengers. The sixth-place carrier (Spirit) has only 166 fewer flights than Delta. The airline with the fewest number of US–South America flights is Surinam Airways, with just 26 June flights.