LATAM Airlines fly direct from Brazil to Vegas

(PRESS RELEASE) -- McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas welcomed the first nonstop flight this morning from São Paulo, Brazil. The inaugural flight was met with a celebratory water arch, Viva Las Vegas Dancing Showgirls, cake and champagne for deplaning passengers.

With more than 42 million visitors each year, Las Vegas is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. This route is expected to bring even more visitors from Brazil and South America. While the flight departs from São Paulo, Brazil, key passenger feeder markets include Argentina and Chile. Combined visitation to Las Vegas from those three countries totaled nearly 200,000 in 2016.

Las Vegas will welcome three weekly direct flights from 2 June to 30 September with an economic impact of $22 million. The seasonal service will resume 15 December and run through 28 February, 2019 with an economic impact of $15.5 million.

“Brazil has long been one of our most sought-after markets. We welcome LATAM Airlines Brazil to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and are honored to be its first west coast destination with nonstop flights from São Paulo,” said Clark County Aviation Director Rosemary Vassiliadis, who oversees operations at the eighth-busiest airport in the United States. “In anticipation of new air service such as this, we recently increased capacity for international arrivals and expanded amenities that cater to international travelers, including more duty-free retail.”

This will be the only direct connection between South America and Las Vegas, offering Brazilians and South Americans not only direct access to Las Vegas, but also more connectivity to destinations on the west region of the USA.

“We are thrilled to welcome a seasonal nonstop service between São Paulo and Las Vegas for the first time with our newest airline partner, LATAM Airlines Brazil,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “We are a destination like no other and this nonstop service makes it easier for South American visitors to come and experience the shopping, dining, entertainment, outdoor recreation and all of the excitement found only in Las Vegas.”

Flights from São Paulo to Las Vegas will be operated by LATAM Airlines on Boeing 767 aircrafts, with capacity for 191 passengers on Economy and 30 passengers on Premium Business, departing from São Paulo (GRU) onboard the JJ 9460 LATAM Airlines flight at 11:55 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and returning from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas onboard the JJ9461 LATAM Airlines flight at 1:05 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.