Touching down in Lima: Delta pulls off its inaugural direct flight from SLC to South America

LIMA — Aviation has celebrated several historic firsts over the past 122 years, including:

• Orville and Wilbur Wright's first engine-powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903.
• Charles Lindbergh successfully completing the first nonstop flight from New York to Paris in 1927.
• And in 1976, the Concorde taking flight, cutting through the skies at twice the speed of sound.

Now Peruvians in Utah — and many more connected to the South American community from across the western United States — have their own historic "flying first" to celebrate.

On Thursday night, a sold-out Delta Flight 193 took off from Salt Lake City International Airport — landing Friday morning in Lima, Peru.

The red-eye journey marked the first time a commercial airline has provided nonstop service between Utah's capital and South America. From now until Jan. 25, 2026, Delta will operate daily direct flights between Salt Lake City and Lima.

Airport gates are rarely described as festive – but Gate A27 late Thursday felt like a party.

There were towers of red and white balloons — Peru's national colors. Dozens of passengers snapped selfies with a life-sized alpaca doll located near the ticket counter. And Andean folk dancers performed for passengers waiting for the boarding zones to be called.

Meanwhile, folks representing Delta, the Salt Lake City airport and Utah's burgeoning Peruvian community offered celebratory speeches.

There's no speedy route from Salt Lake City to Lima. But for many aboard Flight 193's inaugural voyage Thursday, the almost nine-hour direct flight felt far more convenient than having to endure layovers in maybe Los Angeles or Atlanta before continuing on to South America.

Lima native Emily Rivera is a University of Utah psychology student. She won't forget the first time she traveled from Peru to Salt Lake City. "I needed to take two flights — and it was awful," she told a Deseret News reporter who was a fellow passenger for Flight 193's maiden flight.

"I missed the first flight and needed to rebook. And, again, it was awful. So it's great that now I can make the trip (between Lima and Salt Lake City) on one flight."

Rivera will enjoy the winter break from school with family in Lima — but she will be back on another nonstop flight to Salt Lake City when she returns after celebrating Christmas and New Year's Day.

Investing in Utah's South American-friendly market

Delta's decision to provide a nonstop flight from Salt Lake City to a South American gateway destination was prompted by multiple factors. And the time's right to offer the service — at least for several weeks.

"It's really a reflection of our investment in Salt Lake City and our confidence in this market," Delta Air Lines managing director Meng Aguirre told the Deseret News.

"We're so excited about having this opportunity to connect our communities together. We're very confident that it will be a huge success."

While waiting at the gate for Flight 193 to begin boarding its passengers, Salt Lake City International Airport Executive Director Bill Wyatt marveled that the Beehive State is offering nonstop service to continental South America for the first time.

"It's a really big deal," he said, adding that Delta Air Lines has taken on a bit of risk offering the new SLC-Lima service.

"It just reflects the confidence Delta has in this market," said Wyatt. "We're incredibly excited about the service — and I'm told that every seat on this inaugural flight has been sold, which is very good news."

Wyatt added his team is also exploring cargo flight opportunities between the two regions.

Aguirre also noted the cooperation Delta has enjoyed with Utah civic and business leaders, the Peruvian community in Utah and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — which has over 600,000 members in the South American nation.

"Whether you're headed home or visiting for business or leisure, we're honored that Delta can be part of your journey," Aguirre told the passengers before they boarded. "Here's to new adventures, unforgettable experiences and happy travels.

"Muchísimas gracias."

Joy felt across Utah's Peruvian community

David Utrilla, Utah's former Honorary Consul of Peru in Utah, has lobbied for years for a direct flight between Salt Lake City and Lima.

"This is a dream come true," he said Thursday. "I cannot believe that we are now in this moment."

Utrilla also saluted a delegation of Utah business and civic leaders who were on Thursday's inaugural flight to participate in a trade mission in Peru organized by World Trade Center Utah.

Delegates include Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla — along with Jefferson Moss, the executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, and several other lawmakers.

"We will be meeting with the leaders in the government of Peru, as well as other business leaders … from some of the largest companies of Peru," said Utrilla.

Flight 193 does more than simply fly people directly between Salt Lake City and Peru, he added.

"It's also going to connect the hearts of people.

"We have 45,000 Peruvians living here in the state of Utah. They are going to be able to be connected to their families to have their families come here to visit them."

Czibor Chicata-Sutmöller, the current Peruvian Consul in Utah, told the Deseret News prior to Thursday's flight that he's enthused about the collaborative possibilities between his country and the Beehive State. He noted opportunities in mining, agriculture, pottery, tourism, cocoa, textiles, health care equipment "and a variety of things that can be done together."

Peru: An adopted homeland for many Utahns

Legions of Utahns enjoy a lifelong connection with Peru after serving Latter-day Saint missions here.

Wayne Haws, of Hooper, reported for full-time missionary service in Peru over a half-century ago. He returned to Utah after his mission — but can't ever really leave his "adopted" country. Haws has made his way back to Peru eight times since his missionary days.

When Haws and his wife, Jan, learned of the direct Delta flight from Salt Lake to Lima, "we jumped right on it."

Haws has relished watching the church grow in Peru since his missionary days. "When I was serving in Peru, there was one stake and one mission — now there will soon be 10 temples."

Even after landing in Lima on Friday following Delta's bleary-eyed direct flight, the Hawses were eager to reconnect with Peru in several regions across the country.

"We're going to spend the first night in Lima, and then go to Trujillo for five nights and Huanchaco and then back to Lima. Then we're going to Paracas and the sand dunes and then just hang out."

And when the Hawses conclude their Peruvian adventure, they know a direct flight back home awaits.

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