South America’s JetSMART expands operations in the US
March 5, 2025
JetSMART, the US-backed carrier operating in South America and headquartered in Chile, has expanded its sales channels to the US through travel agents, making ultra-low-cost travel more accessible.
Founded in 2016, JetSMART describes itself as the largest and fastest-growing ultra-low-cost-carrier (ULCC) in South America. The airline currently operates over 80 domestic and international routes across eight South American countries, with its network spanning as far north as San Andres, a Colombian island near Nicaragua and as far south as Ushuaia in Argentina Patagonia.
JetSMART’s move to expand operations in the US underpins the “enormous potential” the airline sees in connecting passengers in the US to destinations in Latin America.
Ultra-low-cost business model
“Our ULCC model is proven and has allowed us to carry more than 35 million passengers at ultra-low fares on new aircraft and one of the youngest fleets in the world,” said Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSMART. The airline operates a fleet of 44 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.
“The launch of sales in the US is very important and strategic for JetSMART as we open a world of possibilities for passengers who want to travel within South America and all its interesting destinations,” added Victor Mejia, CCO of JetSMART.
JetSMART’s business model is built on radical cost efficiency, with a focus on “connecting people that have never travelled by air”, by significantly reducing fares in every market it enters.
World-class investors
With backing from top-tier investors such as Indigo Partners and American Airlines (through which JetSMART’s passengers can earn and redeem miles through the AAdvantage programme), JetSMART has unveiled ambitious plans for growth. It plans to double its fleet to more than 100 aircraft by 2028 and has been repeatedly recognised for its operational excellence, winning awards such as SKYTRAX’s best low-cost airline in South America in 2021 and 2023.
