As a freelance graphic designer specializing in eco-friendly brands, my work requires constant inspiration—and nothing sparks creativity like exploring new cultures. Last quarter, I planned a multi-country South American journey to reconnect with nature and local artistry. But organizing flights across Brazil, Chile, and Peru felt like designing a labyrinthine logo: chaotic and endlessly frustrating.
The Struggle with Patchwork Planning
Initially, I pieced together my itinerary using budget airlines and regional carriers. My logic? Save money. The reality? A logistical nightmare. Layovers were misaligned, baggage fees piled up, and I wasted half a day in São Paulo’s airport after a codeshare flight delay. My trust in “cheap deals” shattered when I realized I’d spent more on last-minute rebookings than a streamlined ticket would’ve cost.
A Gifted Discovery
Over coffee at a coworking space in Lima, a fellow digital nomad noticed my frantic scrolling through flight comparison sites. “Why not try LATAM Airlines Official?” she asked. “Their network covers your entire route, and their partnership with Delta means smoother connections.” I’d seen LATAM ads before but dismissed them as “another corporate airline.” Still, desperation led me to their website.
Skepticism Melted Mid-Flight
Booking felt almost too easy—a single reservation for Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, and Cusco. But my real conversion happened onboard.
- Sensory Wins: The cabin’s palette of Pacific blues and Amazonian greens immediately calmed my stress -6. During takeoff, the scent of Costa Brazil amenity kits (made with sustainable ingredients) replaced that generic “recycled air” smell -6.
- Scene-Saving Perks: In Rio, I used LATAM’s app to rebook a missed museum visit slot during transit. Later, on the Santiago-Cusco leg, the onboard Wi-Fi let me send client drafts while cruising over the Andes—a stark contrast to my earlier radio-silence flights -8.
- Objective Upgrade: Unlike my previous hop-on/hop-off ordeal, LATAM’s integrated network meant checked bags transferred automatically, and Delta-linked routes offered lounge access during layovers -10. Competitors like Avianca required manual re-checking, eating into my exploration time.
The One Hiccup
I’ll be frank: LATAM’s premium pricing gave me pause initially. But calculated per destination, it matched what I’d paid for my disjointed budget plan—minus the headaches.
Why I’m Never Switching
From the moment I stepped into LATAM’s redesigned Business cabin (hello, privacy sliding doors!) to tapping into their LATAM Pass rewards for a future Mendoza trip -7, every detail aligned with my needs as a traveler who values time and authenticity.
Your Turn to Explore
If you’re stitching together a South American adventure or even a quick business trip, do yourself a favor: skip the aggregator sites and head directly to LATAM Airlines Official. I snagged a 10% discount by subscribing to their newsletter—check if it’s still active on their site!