LATAM Airlines compensation: how to claim
LATAM Airlines is registered in Chile — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Registered in
- Chile (non-EU/UK carrier)
- Main bases
- São Paulo (GRU), Santiago (SCL)
- Typical first response
- About 50 days
- Time limit where it is based
- Depends where you claim
LATAM Airlines is registered in Chile — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Flying into the UK or EU from Chile or elsewhere: not covered by either, because LATAM Airlines is not a UK or EU carrier.
- That means a return trip is usually half-protected: the outbound from Europe counts, the flight home does not.
How LATAM Airlines handles claims
Not an EU or UK carrier, so only the departure from Madrid, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan or Lisbon is covered.
Their Brazilian subsidiary operates some European routes. The exact operating company on the ticket decides who you address, though none of them are EU carriers.
Europe to South America is well over 3,500 km, so covered claims are £520 or €600.
Expect slow handling and be prepared to escalate to the enforcement body in your European departure country.
What a delay on LATAM Airlines is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) → São Paulo (GRU) | 9,460 km | UK261 | £520 |
| São Paulo (GRU) → London (LHR) | 9,460 km | — | Not covered |
| Paris (CDG) → São Paulo (GRU) | 9,405 km | EU261 | €600 |
| São Paulo (GRU) → Paris (CDG) | 9,405 km | — | Not covered |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from LATAM Airlines, by what happened
- LATAM Airlines: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- LATAM Airlines: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- LATAM Airlines: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- LATAM Airlines: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your LATAM Airlines flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to LATAM Airlines yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
LATAM Airlines: common questions
How much compensation can I get from LATAM Airlines?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. LATAM Airlines is registered in Chile — outside the EU and UK — so only flights leaving Europe are covered.
Does LATAM Airlines have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against LATAM Airlines?
The limit is set by the country where you bring the claim, which is usually where your flight departed or arrived. In England and Wales it is six years; in most EU countries between two and five.
Where do I send a claim to LATAM Airlines?
LATAM Airlines takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is LATAM Airlines Group S.A., Customer Service, Av. Presidente Riesco 5711, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old LATAM Airlines flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.