From Toulouse to Ushuaia: Latécoère-Aéropostale Raid revives the epic story of the pioneers of Aéropostale

A century ago, visionary pilots braved the wind, sand, and oceans to connect Toulouse to Dakar, then South America. These men—Latécoère, Mermoz, Guillaumet, Saint-Exupéry, and so many others—charted the first major international air route, transforming the utopian dream of airmail into an unprecedented human and technical epic. This adventure, which began in 1918, left behind a legacy of courage, transmission, and the conviction that aviation could bring people together even before conquering the world. A century later, this pioneering spirit lives on through the Raid Latécoère-Aéropostale, a contemporary adventure that extends “La Ligne” in a spirit of brotherhood and sharing.

In 2026, this exceptional raid will connect Toulouse to Ushuaia over 25,000 kilometers, three continents: Europe, Africa, and South America, and twelve countries, reviving the legendary routes of the Aéropostale. Neither a competition nor a rally, but an aerial and human expedition, open to all pilots and non-pilots, driven by the same founding idea: connecting people through aviation.

Organized by the Pierre-Georges Latécoère Flying Club (APGL), the raid combines memory, culture, ecology, and solidarity, with seven iconic stopovers, from the Sahara to the Andes, from Saint-Louis in Senegal to Ushuaia.

An air raid to perpetuate the legacy of Aéropostale

The Pierre-Georges Latécoère Flying Club, a non-profit association founded in 2008, keeps alive the memory of Pierre-Georges Latécoère, founder of the airlines connecting France to Africa and South America in the early 20th century.

The Raid Latécoère-Aéropostale was created by Marie Vincente Latécoère, daughter-in-law of the pioneer, and Dominique Lejeune Crescent. Their ambition was to extend the spirit of “La Ligne” through a collective adventure open to all, celebrating the memory of the pioneers and the brotherhood of aviation.

Since its creation, more than 800 participants have taken part in this adventure, covering a total of 15,000 kilometers, flying over 12 countries and crossing 3 continents. In 2026, the raid will reach unprecedented proportions: 25,000 km connecting Toulouse to Ushuaia, from Europe to South America.

Neither a race nor a rally, but a human adventure promoting solidarity

The Raid Latécoère-Aéropostale is not a race: it is above all a solidarity-based air voyage. Participants, whether private or professional pilots, fly together in a spirit of sharing, discovery, and knowledge transfer.

Each stopover is an opportunity for exchange: meetings with schools, educational projects, solidarity initiatives, and cultural discoveries punctuate the journey.

The APGL places four essential dimensions at the heart of the raid:

• Cultural, by promoting the French language and local heritage;
• Educational, by passing on aviation history to younger generations;
• Environmental, through awareness-raising and respect for ecosystems;
• Solidarity, through local partnerships and grassroots initiatives.

Each flight thus becomes a link between peoples, extending Latécoère's vision of solidarity: “Connecting people through aviation.”

It is a human experience before it is an aeronautical one, where conviviality, memory, and solidarity take flight.

Six major stopovers to retrace the legendary route of the Aéropostale

The Raid Latécoère-Aéropostale consists of six stops that follow in the footsteps of the pioneers, from Europe to Africa and to the southern tip of the American continent. Each stop is an immersion in the history, geography, and culture of the territories crossed.

African stopover: crossing the Sahara to Saint-Louis, Senegal

From Muret to Saint-Louis, via Agadir, Dakhla, Laâyoune, and Tan-Tan, the African stopover is the historic heart of the rally. It crosses the desert and follows the sandy route once traveled by airmail pilots. Flying over these vast expanses, punctuated by friendly stopovers, remains an emotional moment shared between pilots and local populations.

Patagonia & Cordillera Stopover: an odyssey to the end of the world

From Buenos Aires, crews travel to Ushuaia via Trelew, Puerto Santa Cruz, El Calafate, and Bariloche. With its glaciers, powerful winds, and breathtaking landscapes, this stopover embodies the technical and human feat achieved by the pioneers of the Aéropostale. Here, the Cordillera becomes a symbol of perseverance and wild beauty.

Stopover in Argentina & Paraguay: between the Andes and the subtropical forest

From Mendoza to Asuncion, via Jujuy, Iguazu, and Posadas, this route highlights the human dimension of the rally. Drivers share unique moments with local residents and participate in community projects. It is a stage of exchange and friendship.

Chile-Peru stopover: from the Atacama Desert to the Nazca Lines

Two versions, short or long, connect Buenos Aires to Lima via Santiago, Atacama, Tacna, and Nazca. Flying over these territories of exceptional cultural richness echoes the universal dimension of adventure: that of the encounter between aeronautical history and ancestral heritage.

Brazil stopover: following in the footsteps of the transatlantic flight

From Montevideo to Natal, via Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, and Maceio, this stopover evokes Mermoz's transatlantic flights. Between the ocean and the rainforest, it symbolizes the continuity of the Line and the international reach of French aeronautics.

Chile stopover: crossing the Andes Mountains
A condensed but spectacular version, connecting Buenos Aires to Santiago via Bariloche and Puerto Montt. This route offers a condensed version of the spirit of the raid: magnificent landscapes, camaraderie between crews, memories in motion.

2026: all dates and registration details

Registration for the 2026 Latécoère-Aéropostale Raid is now open to all pilots wishing to experience an extraordinary aerial and human adventure.

• Patagonia & Cordillera Raid: March 7-22, 2026;

• Argentina & Paraguay Raid: May 16-30, 2026;

• Africa Raid: September 12-26, 2026;

• Chile & Peru Raid: November 14-27, 2026 and November 29-December 12, 2026

Online registration at: https://raid-latecoere-aeropostale.org/adhesion-inscription/

Each participant becomes an APGL ambassador and carries on the memory of “La Ligne.” Flying in the footsteps of Latécoère means taking part in a collective and fraternal adventure where history meets humanity.