LAN Celebrates 50 Years of Operation to the United States

August 18, 20008

In 1958 LAN Airlines began operations to the United States with the operation of the Santiago - Miami route, the first destination outside South America and the one that allowed LAN’s entry into the United States market. The first flight took place on August 16, 1958 in a DC-6B aircraft with capacity for 80 passengers.

This major step is crucial in the history of LAN Airlines, making us, 50 years later, proud of the remarkable work done during all these years.

The first flight to the United States had Jorge Verdugo, Jose Sierra, Jorge Jarpa and Jorge Perez as crew in command, and in the cabin Rafael Fontecilla, Emilio Velasco, Marta Llaguno and Leticia Chanes. A few employees have personally witnessed the Company track record in the United States, including Ciro Correa, who joined the company in 1958, as well as Flor Tamargo who joined in 1970, and since 1977 Anita Meza, María Martinez and Rolando Burgos, the later now an employee of LAN CARGO.

After this important step forward, by 1960 the Company registered the transportation of 91,000 passengers. By 1966 it began incorporating the first B707 to its fleet, placing the company in a privileged position to compete with other major airlines of the time. In 1967, LAN opens the route to New York and in 1988 its operations expand to Los Angeles. With these new routes, the Company begins establishing itself in the United States as one of the best Latin American airlines.

LAN makes reference to the consolidated entity that includes LAN Airlines, LAN Express, LAN Peru, LAN Ecuador, and LAN Argentina, as well as LAN CARGO, with its Miami headquarters, and its affiliates in Brazil and Mexico. In 2007 this important group of companies registered excellent results, flying 10 million passengers and 500,000 tons of cargo.


Congratulations to all who have come together to support and allow this important achievement!.