LATAM Orders Up to 74 Embraer E195-E2 Jets for South American Growth

(SOUTH AMERICA) LATAM Airlines has ordered up to 74 aircraft from Embraer to boost travel across the region, a move that could reshape how people move for work, study, and family ties within South America. The company signed for 24 firm Embraer E195-E2 jets and 50 purchase options, with first deliveries set for the second half of 2026, beginning at LATAM Airlines Brazil. The order, valued at about US$2.1 billion for the firm portion, anchors a larger plan to open more regional routes and serve up to 35 new destinations that are currently hard to reach.

The E195-E2 is Embraer’s largest E-Jet. LATAM Airlines plans to seat about 138 passengers per aircraft in a 2-2 layout with no middle seats. Embraer says the model offers up to 30% lower fuel burn per seat than older regional jets, thanks to Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and improved aerodynamics, with a range of up to 2,600 nautical miles. For travelers, the quieter cabin and modern systems matter on long days of connections between small cities and major hubs.

This aviation decision carries clear immigration angles. More point-to-point links reduce the need for long, costly transfers through faraway hubs, which often complicate short-term work trips, family visits, and student travel. For people moving within South America on temporary or long-term stays, better flight options can make it easier to keep lawful status, reach consular services in time, and meet employer or school deadlines.

LATAM’s chief executive, Roberto Alvo, framed the strategy as both a business and community step. He said the E195-E2 will “allow us to continue on our path of profitable growth by enhancing connectivity through the opening of new destinations, allowing our passengers to have even more options and bringing communities closer, boosting also economic and social development.” Embraer’s president and CEO, Francisco Gomes Neto, called the E195-E2 “the right aircraft to drive the group’s regional expansion goals,” pointing to efficiency and passenger comfort.

For migrants, students, and cross-border workers, network design often decides whether a trip is possible within a lawful timeframe. If there’s only one flight per week, missed connections can cause overstays and extra costs for rebooking or emergency visa extensions. With more frequencies and routes, travelers can pick an earlier flight to secure arrival before a reporting deadline, a visa interview, or a biometric appointment. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, improved regional connectivity tends to support lawful travel by giving people more reliable schedules, which cuts the risk of late arrivals that can lead to status problems.

Timeline and fleet details

• 2025: LATAM announced and confirmed the order.
• Second half of 2026: First E195-E2 deliveries to LATAM Airlines Brazil.
• Subsequent years: Other LATAM affiliates may receive the aircraft, depending on network needs and whether LATAM exercises its options.

As of 2025, the group operates a fleet of 362 aircraft, mainly Airbus and Boeing. The E195-E2 will slot under the larger narrowbodies and allow LATAM Airlines to right-size capacity on thinner routes, including some markets now served by older aircraft such as certain Airbus A319s. This match between plane size and demand can keep fares stable and support steady service in smaller cities, which is vital for people who must travel on fixed dates for legal filings or family emergencies.

The order follows LATAM’s network growth from 129 to 160 destinations since 2021 — about a 24% rise. The new jets are meant to speed up that trajectory by reaching underserved areas. If LATAM opens service to dozens of secondary cities, that could help residents avoid long ground travel to reach a major airport, a common barrier for people who need to attend visa interviews or collect travel documents on short notice.

Regional mobility effects

Travel rules still apply, and this is where planning matters. Country-specific visa policies control who can enter, for how long, and under which status.

• Travelers flying to Brazil should review official visa guidance published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm requirements, documents to carry, and processing times.
• The government portal offers current details on entry types and consular services for foreign nationals: see the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ visa information page at Brazilian Government – Visa Information.

Checking the official source before booking flights can prevent last-minute problems, even when new routes make travel simpler.

The E195-E2’s efficiency can also support more consistent service through seasonal demand dips. Airlines often cut flights when traffic drops, which in turn makes legal travel harder for workers who rotate in and out of projects, for families that must meet residency rules, and for students facing strict enrollment windows. A more fuel-efficient aircraft gives an airline room to maintain frequency, which helps travelers keep to legal timelines.

For people arranging cross-border moves within South America, the coming route map matters. More nonstop flights reduce the risk of missing connections in third countries. If a transit country has different entry rules for connecting passengers, a change of plans can force a traveler to seek extra permissions on the spot. Wider nonstop options limit those complications and help keep travel within the intended legal pathway.

LATAM Airlines’ order also carries community effects:

• Local residents gain easier access to government offices, health care, and schools in larger urban centers.
• Mixed-status families may reduce trips across land borders where wait times and documentation checks are unpredictable.
• Local job markets could benefit by allowing employers to plan short-term assignments with less travel risk.

The aircraft’s 2-2 seating and quieter cabin are not just comfort features. For families traveling with children or older relatives, shorter, calmer flights can make complex travel—especially when paperwork is involved—more manageable. People who must carry original documents or attend strict appointments benefit from fewer transfers and reduced stress.

Fleet rollout, options, and implications

Airlines across the region will watch how LATAM uses the E195-E2. If the model proves reliable on thinner routes, other carriers could follow with similar fleet moves, which would widen the map even more.

• The 24 firm aircraft will lead the change.
• The 50 options allow LATAM to scale based on demand, policy shifts, and operational results.
• If route performance supports it, the group can grow to up to 74 aircraft over time.

As deliveries begin in 2026, travelers should expect a phased rollout. LATAM Airlines Brazil will take the first jets, then other affiliates may receive aircraft as the network plan develops. People planning moves for work or school in late 2026 and 2027 may see new options appear during their booking window.

When new options appear, compare:

1. Total travel time (including connections)
2. Number of transfers and risk of missed connections
3. Consular or appointment deadlines that affect lawful status
4. Price — but prioritize routes that lower the chance of delays affecting lawful status

Important: Even with better connectivity, travelers must still comply with visa rules, reporting obligations, and appointment schedules. New routes reduce risk but do not eliminate legal requirements.

For now, the message is clear: LATAM Airlines is investing in regional reach with the Embraer E195-E2. If used to open and sustain links to smaller cities, these jets could make everyday travel across the continent simpler, more reliable, and better aligned with the strict timelines that immigration processes require.