LATAM Business Class ATL to Lima – Full Review & Booking Tips

If you’ve been dreaming of Machu Picchu or a Peruvian food tour but dread paying cash for business class flights, let me tell you—this route is a hidden gem. We flew non-stop from Atlanta to Lima in LATAM business class using just 35,000 points and $33.10 in taxes per person each way. The trick? A sneaky transfer from Amex to Hawaiian Airlines, then over to Alaska Airlines, which partners with LATAM.

Here’s how the trip went—and whether you should consider LATAM for your next South American escape.

Booking the Flight with Points (Before It’s Too Late):
Let’s start with the good stuff: the points strategy. I transferred Amex Membership Rewards to Hawaiian Airlines, then moved those points over to Alaska Airlines to book an Alaskan flight that was actually a codeshare flight for LATAM business class. Alaska still charges just 35,000 miles one-way for this route in business class—an insane value compared to what Delta or American would charge.

Total taxes? Just $33.10 per person—so for our family of four we’re in South America for $132.

But here’s the catch: this workaround is disappearing fast. Because of the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger, you’ll lose the ability to transfer Amex points this way after June 30, 2025. So if this route (or any other Alaska partner redemption) is on your bucket list, now’s the time to book it.

I plugged in a similar flight for next Spring, and a business class flight is about $3,900. So we saved upwards of $15,000. (Yes there are other flights to Lima that are cheaper with cash)

Delta Sky Club Access in Atlanta:
Since LATAM is a Delta partner, we had access to the Delta Sky Club in Concourse F at ATL. Always a nice perk, especially when flying internationally and especially when traveling with family or during peak hours.

The Plane: A Little Long in the Tooth
This particular flight was on a 16-year-old Boeing 767-318. It’s not the most modern aircraft, but it was clean and maintained. Seats were narrow for business class—especially compared to the wide pods you get on Air France or Virgin—but still a huge step up from economy. You’ll get lie-flat seats, but don’t expect much privacy or space.

Onboard Experience: Hit and Miss
Service was... fine. Not bad, not amazing. No drink before takeoff, no hot towel (which I’ve come to expect even in premium economy). The flight attendants were friendly, but it wasn’t the polished, proactive service you get on an Asian-based airline.

Each seat came with a small amenity kit—basic stuff like a toothbrush, socks, eye mask, and lotion. Nothing luxurious, but appreciated. It’s a nice little bag you could regift.

Dinner options included grilled tenderloin, grilled salmon, portobello ravioli, or a mixed green salad. I went with tenderloin, and it was what you’d expect from an airline steak. Since this was a flight that left at 11:45 pm, it’s a tough time to have a full dinner, yet it’s harder to sleep with the lights and dining noise.

Entertainment? This was surprisingly more modern than the plane. The screen was large, and the movie selection was decent—plenty to choose from in English and Spanish.

Only downside? Breakfast was served at 2 a.m.—just two hours after dinner. I skipped it and got a bit more sleep instead.

Boarding Quirks:
One odd note: boarding was from the front of the plane, meaning once we were seated first, the entire economy cabin shuffled past us. Not a dealbreaker, but not ideal either when you're settled into a business class seat and everyone is staring at you as they wait to move toward the back.

Final Thoughts: Would I Fly LATAM Again?
Absolutely—especially at this price. We’ll keep an eye on future flights to Lima or possibly Argentina.

Was this the best business class experience I’ve ever had? No. But for 35,000 points and $33, it’s one of the best values you’ll find for flying to South America in lie-flat comfort. If you're not looking for over-the-top luxury but still want to stretch out and arrive rested, LATAM gets the job done.

And if you’re thinking of booking it the same way? You’ve got until June 30 before the Amex–Hawaiian–Alaska points path likely disappears. After that, it’s goodbye to one of the best under-the-radar sweet spots for South America travel.

Sometimes it’s not about flying the fanciest—it’s about flying smart. And this was one smart redemption.