SkyTeam carrier 
Delta Air Lines
is boosting its flights to Brazil this winter as part of its ongoing partnership with LATAM. Beginning on Friday, the carrier’s daily link from New York City to Rio de Janeiro will serve returns for another season on Delta’s long-haul aircraft.
Bringing back the daily service
Delta Air Lines will begin daily flights from New York JFK Airport
to Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport (GIG) on December 20th, running on a seasonal basis until March 27th, 2025. According to the airline, the link will foster cultural exchange and meetings with family and friends in time for the holidays and, with the increased cargo capacity, strengthen economic ties between Brazil and the United States, noting:
“Delta will once again connect two of the most vibrant cities desired by travelers around the world: Rio de Janeiro – famous for its beaches, its urban setting surrounded by lush nature, its rhythm of samba and bohemian vibe – and New York City, one of the most dynamic metropolises on the globe, which, from architecture to gastronomy, arts and culture to sports, offers a multitude of extraordinary experiences. ”
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The flight will be operated daily using one of the carrier’s Boeing 767-300ER
widebody aircraft. The planes are configured to seat 215 passengers, with 25 seats in Delta One, 18 in Delta Premium Select, 21 in Delta Comfort+, and the remaining 151 seats in the main cabin.
The flights begin on Friday and will operate overnight in both directions on the following schedule until March 27th, 2025.
|
Flight |
Departure |
Arrival |
|---|---|---|
|
DL 28 |
New York JFK – 22:55 |
Rio – 07:30 |
|
DL 29 |
Rio – 19:59 |
New York JFK – 08:00 |
The frequency increase comes just in time for winter holiday travel and will continue into the new year to cater to the demand for winter sun travel from the US, noted Delta’s Regional Sales Manager in Brazil, Ricardo de Oliveira:
“The return of the Rio de Janeiro (GIG)–New York (JFK) route is crucial for Delta and our customers in both countries.
“We launched the flight during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer because many Brazilians travel to the U.S. for vacation, while Americans seek warmth in Rio during their winter.”
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Delta Air Lines will face direct competition on the route from 
American Airlines
. The oneworld Alliance carrier is deploying its Boeing 777-200 aircraft on the route, with similar redeye timings.
A boost to Delta’s Brazilian network
The New York City flights are joined by an increase in flights to Brazil from Delta’s hub in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
(ATL). The existing thrice-weekly flight between Rio de Janeiro and Atlanta operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays aboard Boeing 767-300s. Beginning on Thursday, December 19th, Delta will use the larger A330-300 to fly the route for the remainder of the year. The Airbus has a capacity for 282 passengers and will continue to fly the route until March 31st, 2025.
Related
Delta And LATAM Mark 2nd Year Of Joint Venture: Inclusion Of Ecuador And Cargo Services Launched
The joint venture received approval in 2022 and since then six new routes have been launched across the two carriers.
The boost comes as Delta Air Lines celebrates two years of partnership with home carrier LATAM
. The partners also jointly operate direct flights from Brazil to the US cities of Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando. The partnership has been successful so far, with Oliveira adding:
“With the resumption of the JFK-GIG flight, Delta and LATAM further consolidate their Joint Venture as the #1 partnership of its kind for flights between Brazil and New York, offering three daily frequencies to the Big Apple, including our flights departing from São Paulo, which demonstrates the power of our alliance.
“In two years of operation, we have already operated more than 11,000 flights together, with more than 2 million passengers carried, not to mention the countless reciprocal benefits for frequent flyers and the special advantages we offer corporate clients.”
Photo: Delta Air Lines
Simple Flying’s research found good availability for frequent flyer seats on the new route, with roundtrip flights costing 50,000 Delta SkyMiles
and $33 on multiple dates next year.
