LATAM Travel Chaos: Four Flights Cancelled, Six Delayed Across Key Routes

LATAM Airlines is facing fresh travel problems this month, with at least four flight cancellations and six delays recorded across Santiago, Punta Arenas, Mount Pleasant, and Rio Gallegos during August 2025. The disruptions span busy and remote routes alike and come on top of a wider wave of schedule trouble across South America, stranding passengers and complicating airport operations.

Real-time tracking on August 16–17 shows the issues continuing. Travelers are being told to check their status often and act quickly on rebooking or refunds.

What happened in mid‑August 2025

• Between August 14–16, 2025, LATAM and its affiliates cancelled more than 24 flights in Brazil.
• Further cancellations and delays were reported in Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands (Mount Pleasant).
• Major hubs and outlying airports affected include:
  • Santiago (SCL)
  • Punta Arenas (PUQ)
  • Mount Pleasant (MPN)
  • Rio Gallegos (RGL)

While causes vary by route, analysts say the pattern points to a broader operational crunch this month that is affecting flight reliability.

Examples and network trend

Flight tracking and compensation platforms list numerous problem flights in the first half of August. Examples include:

• LA3366 (GRU–GIG, cancelled August 8)
• LA3352 (GRU–GIG, cancelled August 5)
• LA8939 (ATL–YUL, delayed August 1)

These specific examples are outside the southern routes under focus but illustrate a larger trend across LATAM’s network. According to VisaVerge.com analysis, the first two weeks of August saw a noticeable rise in traveler reports seeking help for delayed or cancelled itineraries.

“When multiple stress factors line up — aircraft availability, crew scheduling, and weather shifts — they can ripple through the system and create network strain,” aviation analysts say.

Operational and regulatory response

Airports in Chile and neighboring countries report pressure on staff and services as the wave of flight cancellations triggers missed connections and longer layovers. Regulators in Brazil and Chile are monitoring performance at busy gateways (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Santiago) but have not issued emergency orders.

Authorities have urged airlines to keep passengers informed, particularly when:

• Rebooking takes longer than expected
• Hotels and meals are needed during overnight delays

As of August 16, LATAM Airlines Group had not released a public statement specifically addressing the August disruptions. The company has previously said it is focused on reliability and customer service while adding routes and managing higher legal costs in the region.

Why these routes are especially sensitive

For travelers between Santiago, Punta Arenas, Mount Pleasant, and Rio Gallegos, the stakes are higher because these routes often:

• Connect remote communities, oil and research hubs, and family ties
• Have limited same‑day alternatives when flights are cancelled
• Force passengers into overnight stays or major itinerary changes

When a flight is cancelled in the far south, there may be no same‑day workaround, which means missed events and extra costs for lodging or rerouting.

Passenger rights, refunds, and LATAM policy updates

Passengers affected by cancelled or delayed flights in 2025 may be eligible for compensation or refunds. Key points:

• Compensation can be up to €600 (about $650) under some EU or US rules, depending on route and cause.
• Claims can be filed for disruptions in the last three years, though payout timeframes vary and legal cases can take months.
• For official EU air passenger rights guidance, see: https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/passenger-rights/air_en

LATAM policy notes and changes:

• 24‑hour risk‑free change rule: Applies to tickets bought at least seven days before travel; allows fee‑free changes within that 24‑hour window.
• Upgrades: From September 2025, only Plus or Top fare buyers will be eligible; upgrades will clear closer to departure based on elite status and tighter seat rules.
• LATAM Pass changes (effective January 1, 2025): New earning and qualifying point multipliers. Members changing country of residence must wait six months and provide supporting documents.

Consumer groups warn these policy updates can slow rebooking into premium seats during mass disruptions, as fare‑class limits may reduce available upgrade inventory.

Practical steps for affected travelers

1. Check your flight status early and often
   • Use LATAM’s website, mobile app, or trusted flight trackers for real‑time updates.
2. File for compensation if eligible
   • Keep your booking code, flight number, and proof of delay or cancellation ready.
   • Claims can be submitted through LATAM or reputable third‑party services.
3. Ask for a refund or rebooking immediately
   • The 24‑hour change rule may apply if your ticket was purchased at least seven days before travel.
4. Monitor loyalty and upgrade policy changes
   • Especially note the September 2025 upgrade rule changes if you rely on elite perks.

On‑the‑ground impacts and financial pressures

• Frontline reports show thousands of travelers dealing with missed connections and long delays this month.
• Travel insurers expect more claims for hotels, meals, and lost reservations.
• In the southern cone, fewer daily flights mean longer waits when plans fall apart.
• Airport teams face crew limits, shift rules, and packed gates from rebooked passengers.

Analysts point to wider regional challenges contributing to the strain:

• Limited infrastructure at some airports
• Complex cross‑border rules
• High legal costs for carriers in Brazil (analysts estimate near $200 million a year)

Consumer groups call on LATAM to post clearer updates during disruptions, speed up refunds, and make it easier to reach a human for urgent rebooking.

LATAM’s growth plans vs. reliability risks

LATAM continues to pursue growth with new routes and added frequencies planned for late 2025 to match rising demand. However:

• Reliability remains the pressure point.
• Continued schedule slips could lead regulators to increase oversight.
• Frequent flyers may reassess loyalty if benefits don’t help during disruptive periods.

Immediate help and documentation

For immediate assistance, LATAM lists customer service lines:

• Chile: +56 2 2579 8990
• Brazil: 0800 0123 200

The airline also directs customers to its website for change and refund tools and claim forms. When making claims or seeking refunds, keep:

• Boarding passes
• Screenshots of delay/cancellation notices
• Receipts for out‑of‑pocket costs (hotels, meals, transport)

These documents strengthen compensation or reimbursement claims.

Key takeaway

So far in August, data points to a busy month of schedule trouble across the LATAM Airlines network — from Santiago to outstations like Punta Arenas, Mount Pleasant, and Rio Gallegos. With more than 24 cancellations logged in Brazil in mid‑month and continued tracker alerts on August 16–17, the practical advice is clear:

• Check status early, keep documents handy, and push for your rights on refunds or compensation when the airline changes your plans.