ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of accounting judgements and estimates [text block] [Abstract]
ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS	NOTE 4 - ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS The Company has used estimates to value and record some of the assets, liabilities, income, expenses and commitments. Basically, these estimates refer to: (a) Evaluation of possible losses due to impairment of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life Management conducts an impairment test annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the cash generating unit (CGU) exceeds its recoverable amount. Management’s value-in-use calculations included significant judgments and assumptions relating to revenue growth rates, exchange rate, discount rate, inflation rates, fuel price. The estimation of these assumptions requires significant judgment by the management, as these variables feature inherent uncertainty; however, the assumptions used are consistent with Company’s forecasts approved by management. Therefore, management evaluates and updates the estimates as necessary, in light of conditions that affect these variables. The main assumptions used as well as the corresponding sensitivity analyses are showed in Note 16. (b) Useful life, residual value, and impairment of property, plant, and equipment The depreciation of assets is calculated based on the linear model, except for certain technical components depreciated on cycles and hours flown. These useful lives are reviewed on an annual basis according with the Company’s future economic benefits associated with them. Changes in circumstances such as: technological advances, business model, planned use of assets or capital strategy may render the useful life different to the lifespan estimated. When it is determined that the useful life of property, plant, and equipment must be reduced, as may occur in line with changes in planned usage of assets, the difference between the net book value and estimated recoverable value is depreciated, in accordance with the revised remaining useful life. The residual values are estimated according to the market value that said assets will have at the end of their life. The residual value and useful life of the assets are reviewed, and adjusted if necessary, once a year. When the value of an asset is greater than its estimated recoverable amount, its value is immediately reduced to its recoverable amount. The Company has concluded that the Properties, Plant and Equipment cannot generate cash inflows to a large extent independent of other assets, therefore the impairment assessment is made as an integral part of the only Cash Generating Unit maintained by the Company, Air Transport. The Company checks when there are signs of impairment, whether the assets have suffered any impairment losses at the Cash Generated Unit level. (c) Recoverability of deferred tax assets Management records deferred taxes on the temporary differences that arise between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets on tax losses are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future tax benefits will be available to offset temporary differences. The Company applies significant judgment in evaluating the recoverability of deferred tax assets. In determining the amounts of the deferred tax asset to be accounted for, management considers historical profitability, projected future taxable income (considering assumptions such as: growth rate, exchange rate, discount rate, fuel price online with those used in the impairment analysis of the group’s cash-generating unit) and the expected timing of reversals of existing temporary differences. (d) Air tickets sold that will not be finally used. The Company records the sale of air tickets as deferred income. Ordinary income from the sale of tickets is recognized in the income statement when the passenger transport service is provided or expired for non-use. The Company evaluates monthly the probability of expiration of air tickets, with return clauses, based on the history of use of air tickets. A change in this probability could generate an impact on revenue in the year in which the change occurs and in future years. In effect and due to the worldwide contingency of the COVID 19 pandemic, the company has established new commercial policies with clients regarding the validity of air tickets, making it easier to use in flight, reissue and return. Under this new scenario, in the year 2020 no income for expiration ticket’s revenue were recorded, which in a normal scenario would have amounted to approximately ThUS $ 70,000. As of December 31, 2020, deferred income associated with air tickets sold amounted to ThUS $ 904,558 (ThUS $ 1,511,179 as of December 31, 2019). (e) Valuation of miles and points awarded to holders of loyalty programs, pending use. As of December 31, 2020, the deferred income associated with the LATAM Pass loyalty program amounts to ThUS $ 1,365,534 (ThUS $ 1,332,173 as of December 31, 2019). A hypothetical change of one percentage point in the probability of swaps would translate into an impact of ThUS $ 24,425 in the results as of 2020 (ThUS $ 30,506 in the results as of 2019). The deferred income associated with the LATAM Pass Brasil loyalty program (See Note 22) amounts to ThUS $ 187,493 as of December 31, 2020 (ThUS $ 354,847 as of December 31, 2019). A hypothetical change of two percentage points in exchange probability would translate into an impact of ThUS $ 2,950 in the results as of 2020 (ThUS $ 3,150 in the results as of 2019). Management used statistical models to estimate the miles and point awarded that will not be redeemed, by the programs members (breakage) which involved significant judgments and assumptions relating the historical redemption and expiration activity and forecasted redemption and expiration patterns. For the LATAM Pass Brasil loyalty program, expiration occurs after a fixed period of time from accumulation, the model is built by the administration considering historical expiration rates, exchange behaviors and relevant segmentations. For LATAM Pass there are rules that allow members to renew their miles, so the management in conjunction with an external specialist develop a predictive model of non-use miles, which allows to generate non-use rates on the basis of historical information, based on behavior of the accumulation, use and expiration of the miles. (f) Provisions needs, and their valuation when required In the case of known contingencies, the Company records a provision when it has a present obligation, whether legal or implicit, as a result of past events, it is likely that an outflow of resources will be necessary to settle the obligation and the amount is has reliably estimated. Based on available information, the Company uses the knowledge, experience and professional judgment, to the specific characteristics of the known risks. This process facilitates the early assessment and quantification of potential risks in individual cases or in the development of contingent matters. Company recognized as the present obligation under an onerous contract as a provision when a contract under which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it. (g) Leases (i) Discount rate The discount rate used to calculate the lease debt corresponds, for each aircraft, to the implicit interest rate calculated by the contractual elements and residual market values. The implicit rate of the contract is the discount rate that gives the aggregate present value of the minimum lease payments and the unguaranteed residual value. For assets other than aircraft, the estimated lessee’s incremental loan rate was used, which is derived from the information available on the lease commencement date, to determine the present value of the lease payments. We consider our recent debt issues, as well as publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics when calculating our incremental borrowing rates. A decrease of one percentage point in our estimate of the rates used as of January 1, 2019 (the date of adoption of the standard) would increase the lease liability by approximately ThUS $ 105 million. (ii) Lease term In determining the term of the lease, all the facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option are considered. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the term of the lease if you are reasonably certain that the lease will be extended (or not terminated). This is reviewed if a significant event or significant change in circumstances occurs that affects this assessment and is within the control of the lessee. (h) Investment in subsidiary (TAM) The management has applied its judgment in determining that LATAM Airlines Group S.A. controls TAM S.A. and Subsidiaries, for accounting purposes, and has therefore consolidated the financial statements. The grounds for this decision are that LATAM issued ordinary shares in exchange for the majority of circulating ordinary and preferential shares in TAM, except for those TAM shareholders who did not accept the exchange, which were subject to a squeeze out, entitling LATAM to substantially all economic benefits generated by the LATAM Group, and thus exposing it to substantially all risks relating to the operations of TAM. This exchange aligns the economic interests of LATAM and all of its shareholders, including the controlling shareholders of TAM, thus ensuring that the shareholders and directors of TAM shall have no incentive to exercise their rights in a manner that would be beneficial to TAM but detrimental to LATAM. Furthermore, all significant actions necessary of the operation of the airlines require votes in favor by the controlling shareholders of both LATAM and TAM. Since the integration of LAN and TAM operations, the most critical airline operations in Brazil have been managed by the CEO of TAM while global activities have been managed by the CEO of LATAM, who is in charge of the operation of the LATAM Group as a whole and reports to the LATAM Board. The CEO of LATAM also evaluates the performance of LATAM Group executives and, together with the LATAM Board, determines compensation. Although Brazilian law currently imposes restrictions on the percentages of voting rights that may be held by foreign investors, LATAM believes that the economic basis of these agreements meets the requirements of accounting standards in force, and that the consolidation of the operations of LAN and LATAM is appropriate. These estimates were made based on the best information available relating to the matters analyzed. In any case, it is possible that events that may take place in the future could lead to their modification in future reporting periods, which would be made in a prospective manner.

ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Disclosure of accounting judgements and estimates [text block] [Abstract]

NOTE 4 - ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

The Company has used estimates to value and record some of the assets, liabilities, income, expenses and commitments. Basically, these estimates refer to:

(a) Evaluation of possible losses due to impairment of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life

Management conducts an impairment test annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the cash generating unit (CGU) exceeds its recoverable amount.

Management’s value-in-use calculations included significant judgments and assumptions relating to revenue growth rates, exchange rate, discount rate, inflation rates, fuel price. The estimation of these assumptions requires significant judgment by the management, as these variables feature inherent uncertainty; however, the assumptions used are consistent with Company’s forecasts approved by management. Therefore, management evaluates and updates the estimates as necessary, in light of conditions that affect these variables. The main assumptions used as well as the corresponding sensitivity analyses are showed in Note 16.

(b) Useful life, residual value, and impairment of property, plant, and equipment

The depreciation of assets is calculated based on the linear model, except for certain technical components depreciated on cycles and hours flown. These useful lives are reviewed on an annual basis according with the Company’s future economic benefits associated with them.

Changes in circumstances such as: technological advances, business model, planned use of assets or capital strategy may render the useful life different to the lifespan estimated. When it is determined that the useful life of property, plant, and equipment must be reduced, as may occur in line with changes in planned usage of assets, the difference between the net book value and estimated recoverable value is depreciated, in accordance with the revised remaining useful life.

The residual values are estimated according to the market value that said assets will have at the end of their life. The residual value and useful life of the assets are reviewed, and adjusted if necessary, once a year. When the value of an asset is greater than its estimated recoverable amount, its value is immediately reduced to its recoverable amount.

The Company has concluded that the Properties, Plant and Equipment cannot generate cash inflows to a large extent independent of other assets, therefore the impairment assessment is made as an integral part of the only Cash Generating Unit maintained by the Company, Air Transport. The Company checks when there are signs of impairment, whether the assets have suffered any impairment losses at the Cash Generated Unit level.

Management records deferred taxes on the temporary differences that arise between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets on tax losses are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future tax benefits will be available to offset temporary differences.

The Company applies significant judgment in evaluating the recoverability of deferred tax assets. In determining the amounts of the deferred tax asset to be accounted for, management considers historical profitability, projected future taxable income (considering assumptions such as: growth rate, exchange rate, discount rate, fuel price online with those used in the impairment analysis of the group’s cash-generating unit) and the expected timing of reversals of existing temporary differences.

(d) Air tickets sold that will not be finally used.

The Company records the sale of air tickets as deferred income. Ordinary income from the sale of tickets is recognized in the income statement when the passenger transport service is provided or expired for non-use. The Company evaluates monthly the probability of expiration of air tickets, with return clauses, based on the history of use of air tickets. A change in this probability could generate an impact on revenue in the year in which the change occurs and in future years.

In effect and due to the worldwide contingency of the COVID 19 pandemic, the company has established new commercial policies with clients regarding the validity of air tickets, making it easier to use in flight, reissue and return.

Under this new scenario, in the year 2020 no income for expiration ticket’s revenue were recorded, which in a normal scenario would have amounted to approximately ThUS $ 70,000.

As of December 31, 2020, deferred income associated with air tickets sold amounted to ThUS $ 904,558 (ThUS $ 1,511,179 as of December 31, 2019).

(e) Valuation of miles and points awarded to holders of loyalty programs, pending use.

As of December 31, 2020, the deferred income associated with the LATAM Pass loyalty program amounts to ThUS $ 1,365,534 (ThUS $ 1,332,173 as of December 31, 2019). A hypothetical change of one percentage point in the probability of swaps would translate into an impact of ThUS $ 24,425 in the results as of 2020 (ThUS $ 30,506 in the results as of 2019). The deferred income associated with the LATAM Pass Brasil loyalty program (See Note 22) amounts to ThUS $ 187,493 as of December 31, 2020 (ThUS $ 354,847 as of December 31, 2019). A hypothetical change of two percentage points in exchange probability would translate into an impact of ThUS $ 2,950 in the results as of 2020 (ThUS $ 3,150 in the results as of 2019).

Management used statistical models to estimate the miles and point awarded that will not be redeemed, by the programs members (breakage) which involved significant judgments and assumptions relating the historical redemption and expiration activity and forecasted redemption and expiration patterns.

For the LATAM Pass Brasil loyalty program, expiration occurs after a fixed period of time from accumulation, the model is built by the administration considering historical expiration rates, exchange behaviors and relevant segmentations.

For LATAM Pass there are rules that allow members to renew their miles, so the management in conjunction with an external specialist develop a predictive model of non-use miles, which allows to generate non-use rates on the basis of historical information, based on behavior of the accumulation, use and expiration of the miles.

(f) Provisions needs, and their valuation when required

In the case of known contingencies, the Company records a provision when it has a present obligation, whether legal or implicit, as a result of past events, it is likely that an outflow of resources will be necessary to settle the obligation and the amount is has reliably estimated. Based on available information, the Company uses the knowledge, experience and professional judgment, to the specific characteristics of the known risks. This process facilitates the early assessment and quantification of potential risks in individual cases or in the development of contingent matters.

Company recognized as the present obligation under an onerous contract as a provision when a contract under which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.

(g) Leases

(i) Discount rate

The discount rate used to calculate the lease debt corresponds, for each aircraft, to the implicit interest rate calculated by the contractual elements and residual market values. The implicit rate of the contract is the discount rate that gives the aggregate present value of the minimum lease payments and the unguaranteed residual value.

For assets other than aircraft, the estimated lessee’s incremental loan rate was used, which is derived from the information available on the lease commencement date, to determine the present value of the lease payments. We consider our recent debt issues, as well as publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics when calculating our incremental borrowing rates.

A decrease of one percentage point in our estimate of the rates used as of January 1, 2019 (the date of adoption of the standard) would increase the lease liability by approximately ThUS $ 105 million.

(ii) Lease term

In determining the term of the lease, all the facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option are considered. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the term of the lease if you are reasonably certain that the lease will be extended (or not terminated). This is reviewed if a significant event or significant change in circumstances occurs that affects this assessment and is within the control of the lessee.

(h) Investment in subsidiary (TAM)

The management has applied its judgment in determining that LATAM Airlines Group S.A. controls TAM S.A. and Subsidiaries, for accounting purposes, and has therefore consolidated the financial statements.

The grounds for this decision are that LATAM issued ordinary shares in exchange for the majority of circulating ordinary and preferential shares in TAM, except for those TAM shareholders who did not accept the exchange, which were subject to a squeeze out, entitling LATAM to substantially all economic benefits generated by the LATAM Group, and thus exposing it to substantially all risks relating to the operations of TAM. This exchange aligns the economic interests of LATAM and all of its shareholders, including the controlling shareholders of TAM, thus ensuring that the shareholders and directors of TAM shall have no incentive to exercise their rights in a manner that would be beneficial to TAM but detrimental to LATAM. Furthermore, all significant actions necessary of the operation of the airlines require votes in favor by the controlling shareholders of both LATAM and TAM.

Since the integration of LAN and TAM operations, the most critical airline operations in Brazil have been managed by the CEO of TAM while global activities have been managed by the CEO of LATAM, who is in charge of the operation of the LATAM Group as a whole and reports to the LATAM Board.

The CEO of LATAM also evaluates the performance of LATAM Group executives and, together with the LATAM Board, determines compensation. Although Brazilian law currently imposes restrictions on the percentages of voting rights that may be held by foreign investors, LATAM believes that the economic basis of these agreements meets the requirements of accounting standards in force, and that the consolidation of the operations of LAN and LATAM is appropriate.

These estimates were made based on the best information available relating to the matters analyzed.

In any case, it is possible that events that may take place in the future could lead to their modification in future reporting periods, which would be made in a prospective manner.