Latam switches plane routes to the US to avoid problems with 5G

While the extent of the interference that 5G technology can cause on planes is still unknown, Latam also decided to change the jets that fly to the US, like other airlines, which canceled or rescheduled dozens of flights due to uncertainties.

Latam’s decision follows that of four other major foreign airlines that regularly operate to the United States: the Japanese ANA and JAL, the Arab Emirates and the Indian Air India.

The last-minute move follows a recommendation from Boeing, which urges operators not to fly the 777 to the US because of potential problems landing in areas where 5G is active.

The operating band of the new technology is the same as the radio altimeter, an important instrument in precision approaches that may have reduced effectiveness or not work.

As the only operator in South America of the model, Latam decided to remove the aircraft from the routes that connect Brazil to the USA, replacing it with the Boeing 767 or the smaller, but more modern, 787 Dreamliner. Those models would be less affected — although last week the FAA also issued a statement recommending attention to the 787’s operation.

Meanwhile, carriers AT&T and Verizon pledged to delay the arrival of 5G in airport areas, but did not detail what the radius around the airport would be, and how the technology would work in the near future.

In a note sent to Aeroin, Latam informed that “it will use the Boeing 787 on the Guarulhos-Miami route and the Boeing 767 on the Guarulhos-New York route. the recommendations of the aeronautical authorities of the countries where it operates.”

According to data from GRU Airport, the flight LA-8190 to Miami was canceled to allow the exchange for the 787-9 Dreamliner with Chilean registration CC-BGA, which will perform the flight at the same time of departure, but with new numbering LA-9490.

The flight LA-8180 to New York was also canceled to allow the exchange of aircraft, and will now leave with the 767-300ER of Brazilian registration PT-MSW at 23:30, with only 20 minutes delay and with the flight number LA- 9452.

American and United, which are the other operators of the 777 between the USA and Brazil, have their flights with the aircraft confirmed for the night so far.