New Nonstop Links to South America Planned by 2027

Global airlines are accelerating plans to expand nonstop links to South America, with Turkish Airlines joining carriers such as China Eastern, Delta, LATAM, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic in outlining new long haul strategies that could significantly reshape connectivity to the region by 2027.

Turkish Airlines Targets Ultra Long Haul Reach to South America

Publicly available information from Turkish media and company briefings indicates that Turkish Airlines is preparing to use incoming ultra long range aircraft from 2027 to open additional nonstop routes, including new connections to South America. Recent coverage in Istanbul points to the carrier evaluating destinations that are currently served via connections, with South American gateways highlighted alongside new links to Australia.

The airline already serves several cities in Latin America via Istanbul, in some cases operating beyond points within the region using traffic rights between foreign countries. Industry analysis suggests that the arrival of longer range aircraft will allow Turkish Airlines to consolidate these links into more point to point services, cutting travel times for passengers from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia heading to South American hubs.

Aviation observers note that the strategy fits the carrier’s broader ambition to strengthen its role as a global connector between east and west. By 2027, Turkish Airlines is expected to have additional widebody capacity available, creating room to test new nonstop routes where demand, aircraft performance and geopolitical factors align.

China Eastern Builds a Pacific Bridge to Buenos Aires and Beyond

In the Asia Pacific region, China Eastern has already begun reshaping access to South America. In late 2025 the airline inaugurated a Shanghai to Auckland to Buenos Aires service, described in company communications and media reports as a new southbound corridor across the Pacific that gives Chinese travelers a one stop option to a major South American city.

Chinese and New Zealand coverage highlight that the route effectively creates an air bridge from East Asia to South America via the South Pacific, while providing additional connectivity for travelers from Australasia. According to recent industry reporting, the service is intended to complement China Eastern’s codeshare arrangements with LATAM, which extend the airline’s reach deeper into the South American network.

By 2026, regional trade outlets were also noting that China Eastern and LATAM had expanded their cooperation to include additional city pairs and shared marketing of itineraries that combine Asia, Oceania and South America. Analysts view these developments as early steps that could support more nonstop or single stop itineraries between China and South America before the end of the decade, even if ultra long haul nonstop flights remain technically and commercially challenging.

Delta and LATAM Deepen Joint Venture Across the Americas

On the North American side, Delta and LATAM continue to add capacity under their joint venture, which links hubs in the United States and Canada with major South American markets. According to the airlines’ own public updates, the partnership has generated multiple new routes in recent years and carried tens of millions of passengers across the Americas, including traffic to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

Among the most closely watched developments is the planned nonstop service between Salt Lake City and Lima. Industry reports describe it as the first nonstop flight from the Mountain West region of the United States to South America, scheduled to launch in late 2025 or 2026, depending on schedule adjustments. Aviation analysts say the route demonstrates how U.S. carriers are looking beyond traditional coastal hubs to open new nonstop corridors.

The joint venture has also supported new city pairs such as Lima to Orlando, Buenos Aires to Miami and Guayaquil to New York, according to published coverage from both airlines. While not all of these routes are operated by Delta metal, they form part of a broader pattern in which the Delta LATAM alliance is using joint scheduling and fleet deployment to expand nonstop and one stop choices for travelers to and from South America.

LATAM, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic Adjust South American Networks

South America based LATAM remains central to the region’s long haul connectivity. The airline has been adding and adjusting nonstop flights within South America and to long haul markets, including seasonal services such as the recently announced São Paulo to Ushuaia route for the southern winter of 2026, as reported by Brazilian aviation outlets. These additions help feed partner networks and create new opportunities for intercontinental passengers seeking more direct itineraries.

Qatar Airways, which already operates long haul services linking its Doha hub with key South American cities, continues to refine schedules and capacity in response to demand on routes that also serve cargo and corporate travel. Public route data and airline statements show that the carrier uses its South American presence to connect traffic from the Gulf region, Europe, Asia and Africa, and industry observers expect incremental adjustments rather than dramatic expansion before 2027.

Virgin Atlantic has had a more selective presence in South America. The airline has periodically announced or evaluated non stop services from London to major regional cities, often in conjunction with its wider transatlantic network strategy and partnerships with other carriers. While details of any additional planned South American routes through 2027 have not been extensively disclosed, route watchers note that the carrier’s joint venture arrangements could support renewed or expanded nonstop links if market conditions strengthen.

What New Nonstop Connectivity Could Look Like by 2027

By 2027, the combined strategies of Turkish Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, LATAM, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic and other carriers are expected to produce a noticeably denser web of nonstop and near nonstop options to South America. Rather than relying solely on traditional gateways in Europe and North America, travelers may be able to access the region through new hubs in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and secondary North American cities.

Fleet developments are a key enabler. Ultra long range aircraft on order for Turkish Airlines and other carriers will make it technically feasible to operate longer nonstop sectors while maintaining payloads that support both passenger and cargo demand. At the same time, improved fuel efficiency helps airlines explore new markets with lower operating costs compared with older generation widebody jets.

Regulatory approvals, bilateral agreements and airport infrastructure upgrades will influence which routes ultimately materialize. Analysts caution that geopolitical risk, fuel price volatility and macroeconomic trends in South America could delay or reshape some of the most ambitious nonstop plans. However, the direction of travel in airline strategy suggests that by 2027, South America will be more tightly integrated into global nonstop networks than at any point before.