My LATAM Airlines Review: A Normal, Comfortable Airline
Some airlines leave a lasting impression—good or bad. LATAM? Honestly, not much stood out. And that’s kind of the point.
I flew LATAM airlines from Cartagena to Medellín, Colombia. It was a short, uneventful flight, and I mean that in the best possible way. Everything worked the way it should. The staff were professional and kind. I got a free snack (peanuts). The simplicity of it all was refreshing in an era of budget airline chaos and big U.S. airline disappointments.
(I have traveled extensively throughout Latin America. I’ve flown Avianca, Volaris, and the super-budget airline Viva Air. Of the four, LATAM is the nicest.)
Would I fly LATAM again? Yes. Here’s why.
MY QUICK SUMMARY OF LATAM
- It’s not a budget airline. LATAM isn’t in the same category as Avianca or Spirit. It’s a full-service airline that operates across Latin America and beyond. It’s more like American or United. However, you’ll still want to check what’s included in your fare.
- The service is professional. No surprises, no nonsense—just a well-run airline where people do their jobs without treating you like an inconvenience.
- Flights are reasonably priced. LATAM isn’t the cheapest option, but it’s often competitive, especially when booked in advance. I chose to pay extra for it after flying Viva Air a few weeks previously. I didn’t want to again, so I found a LATAM flight.)
- The experience is smooth. No excessive fees, no nickel-and-diming for basic human comforts.
- It looks and feels a lot like a Delta Airlines flight. Even their branding is similar. It turns out, Delta has a 20% stake in LATAM. This also means if you’re connecting to the U.S., you can get seamless connections on Delta flights.
LATAM’S ROUTES: WHERE THEY FLY
LATAM is one of the largest airlines in Latin America, with hubs in major cities like São Paulo, Santiago, Bogotá, and Lima.
They fly within Latin America, to the U.S., and even to Europe. They’re a great option if you’re traveling regionally or internationally.
One thing to note: LATAM was once part of Oneworld but left the alliance a few years ago. That means fewer partner airline perks, though they still have agreements with some carriers, like Delta.
LATAM’S FARE OPTIONS: Light, Plus, Full, or Premium Business
LATAM offers different fare classes, which can change your experience significantly.
Economy: Light
You’ll notice that you get a free carry-on! You will have to pay extra to choose your seat.
- Carry-on included, but checked bags may cost extra depending on your fare
Economy: Plus
A checked bag and seat selection for an extra ~$70 bucks on a long flight is not bad at all.
Economy: Full
If you might want a refund, this is an option too. This is not me, though. I’m an “economy light” go through and through.
Premium Business Standard
Standard prices for business classes (aka: too expensive for me.) If you end up doing this, let me know how it is.
Lie-flat seats do sound nice.
THE LATAM BOOKING EXPERIENCE
Booking was straightforward. LATAM’s website is easy to use, and I had no issues with the process. I wish they had a “flexible dates” option. Many airlines have that feature, making seeing the best price easier. But the website is user-friendly overall.
You can see here, the prices are decent!
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- Baggage rules depend on the fare class. Some economy fares don’t include checked bags.
- Seat selection may cost extra. If you want to pick your seat in advance, be prepared to pay for the privilege.
THE LATAM IN-FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
SEATS: PRETTY STANDARD
The legroom was fine—not overly generous but not cramped. Seats were comfortable enough for a short flight, though I wouldn’t call them luxurious. They all had a little pad on them, which was nice.
ENTERTAINMENT: VARIES BY ROUTE
My LATAM flight did not have a screen on the back of the seat. This may vary by route. For shorter routes, it’s a bring-your-own-device situation. They have a free streaming service, but you need to download the LATAM Play app in advance.
Lesson learned: If you’re flying LATAM, download the app before you board.
FOOD & DRINKS: DEPENDS ON THE FLIGHT
On my short flight, they handed out a small snack and a drink. It was nothing fancy, but it was free—something that’s disappearing on many airlines.
Longer flights have meal service, and business class meals, based on some reviews I read, seem really good.
THE STAFF: PROFESSIONAL AND EFFICIENT
The flight attendants were polite and efficient. Not overly chatty, not cold—just professional.
If you’ve ever flown a U.S. airline and had an existential crisis over why the crew seemed to hate their job, LATAM will feel like a breath of fresh air.
FINAL THOUGHTS: SHOULD YOU FLY LATAM?
Yes, if:
✅ You want a normal, hassle-free flying experience.
✅ You’re traveling within Latin America and want a reliable option.
✅ You don’t mind paying a little extra for better service than budget airlines.
No, if:
❌ You’re looking for rock-bottom budget fares.
Overall, LATAM is a solid, professional airline—nothing flashy, but nothing frustrating either. And in today’s world of flying, that’s a win.
Would I fly them again? Absolutely.
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