TAM, South America's major airline and a Star Alliance member, will commence a new direct non-stop service between London and Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, 10 August. The thrice-weekly service will utilize Airbus A330-200s that compliments the existing daily Boeing 777-ER service connecting London and Sao Paulo.


The new Airbus A330-200 will offer 223 seats that, as on the Sao Paulo service, comprise a First Class cabin with just four flat sleeper seat units that have been intended for the passenger's utmost privacy and comfort. The Airbus provides a further 36 seats in business class and 183 in economy class. Flight times in both directions between London and Rio de Janeiro are intended to maximize convenience, and the linking services at both ends of the route with other TAM flights or those of its Star Alliance partners.

With the fresh Rio service, TAM will be providing more than 3,200 seats a week in each direction between the UK and Brazil.This is an increase in capacity of 25%.