LATAM Adds long awaited Direct Flights to Amsterdam, Brussels and Cape Town in 2026
LATAM Adds long awaited Direct Flights to Amsterdam, Brussels and Cape Town in 2026
LATAM Airlines has taken one look at 2026 and clearly decided that subtlety is overrated. Instead of gently adding a route here or there, the airline is rolling out three brand-new long-haul flights from São Paulo to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Cape Town.
Three continents. One hub. Zero hesitation.
It’s the aviation equivalent of turning up the volume and pressing play. And honestly? The timing couldn’t be better. Long-haul demand is waking up properly again, travellers are itching to go further than their usual short-haul escape, and LATAM is stepping forward with a confident “we’ll handle this.”
Amsterdam: Because This Route Was Always Going to Happen
Let’s start with São Paulo–Amsterdam, launching on 29 March 2026. This route isn’t exactly a surprise — it’s more like a long-overdue reinforcement.
Amsterdam has been a key gateway between Europe and Latin America for years. The demand is there, the connections are there, and the passenger numbers definitely don’t need convincing. Adding more capacity here is less about taking a risk and more about giving travellers what they’ve been asking for (and occasionally shouting about while searching for fares).
More flights mean better schedules, more seat availability, and fewer moments of staring at a screen wondering why a Tuesday in November costs more than a small car.
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Brussels Returns to the Long-Haul Map (Finally)
Next up is São Paulo–Brussels, launching on 1 June 2026, and this one comes with a genuinely impressive fun fact:
It will be the first nonstop passenger flight between Brussels and Latin America in over 25 years.
Yes, really. A full quarter of a century.
Brussels might not always grab aviation headlines, but this route makes a lot of sense. São Paulo is home to the largest Belgian community in Brazil, Brussels offers excellent European connectivity, and sometimes the smartest routes are the ones people have quietly wanted for years.
This is less “new idea” and more “why didn’t this happen sooner?”
Cape Town Joins the Party (And Everyone Approves)
Then there’s São Paulo–Cape Town, launching on 2 September 2026, and this one feels like a crowd-pleaser.
LATAM already serves Johannesburg, but Cape Town brings a different energy. Think beaches, vineyards, dramatic coastlines, and a city that somehow makes even rushed airport selfies look like magazine covers.
Yes, competition exists. But Cape Town has never struggled to attract visitors, and LATAM clearly believes there’s room for another serious long-haul option. Judging by demand trends, they’re probably right.
Dreamliners Doing What They Do Best
All three routes will operate three times per week, using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners — because if you’re launching shiny new long-haul routes, you might as well use aircraft designed for exactly that.
Each Dreamliner comes with 30 Business Class seats and 270 Economy seats, offering comfort for everyone from corporate travellers to holidaymakers and people travelling with luggage that raises questions at check-in.
Long flight? Yes. Comfortable one? Also yes.
The Bigger Strategy (Because This Isn’t Random)
By the end of 2026, LATAM will serve 14 destinations in Europe and five in Africa, further cementing São Paulo as a major global hub. Add new domestic routes within Brazil to the mix, and it’s clear this isn’t just expansion for expansion’s sake.
This is a carefully planned move to connect continents, boost connectivity, and position LATAM exactly where long-haul demand is growing fastest.
Final Boarding Call
LATAM isn’t easing into 2026. It’s striding in confidently, adding three continents’ worth of ambition and inviting passengers along for the ride.
Amsterdam, Brussels, and Cape Town aren’t just new dots on a route map — they’re a statement. And judging by this lineup, 2026 is shaping up to be a very busy (and very exciting) year for LATAM.
