As we mentioned last week, LATAM Airlines confirmed today that this month it will begin a cabin renovation process for 24 of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners (10 787-8 and 14 787-9). The work on each aircraft will take between two and four months.
This will require an investment of 360 million dollars, which will include the installation of new seats, updated onboard entertainment, and design improvements.
The main novelty is the introduction of a new Premium Business cabin with Recaro R7 seats, which feature sliding doors for greater privacy, a feature that LATAM will offer for the first time (also marking the debut of this feature among South American airlines).
In Economy, next-generation seats with ergonomic designs will be added, and Economy Plus seats will be introduced, offering more legroom, greater recline, footrests, and exclusive storage space for luggage.
In both Economy and Premium Business, the seats will be upholstered with up to 70% recycled leather, which reduces the amount of water used in material production by 87%.
Regarding the onboard entertainment system, Economy passengers will have a 12-inch high-definition touchscreen and will be able to use their own Bluetooth headphones to connect to a content library featuring over 240 movies, 740 TV show episodes, and 1,500 music tracks. There will also be an interactive 3D map from Panasonic’s Arc with real-time flight information.
“With a design that reflects the unique essence of the LATAM group and attention to the smallest details, our new cabins have been created with the goal of offering a world-class travel experience. The new Premium Business seats represent a significant advancement, combining comfort, privacy, and elegance. These upgrades position LATAM as an industry leader, providing our passengers with an unprecedented level of comfort and an exclusive flight experience,” said Paulo Miranda, VP of Customers at LATAM Group.
Mark Hiller, CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding, added, “Our close collaboration with the LATAM group has resulted in a truly unique seat for its Business Class passengers. The R7 model offers premium comfort, elevates privacy to a new level, and will be a standout addition to their fleet and the South American market.”
The first aircraft to be retrofitted will be the Boeing 787-8, with commercial service expected in the first half of 2025. The process for the 24 aircraft will be completed in the second half of 2026, and the work will take place at the maintenance bases in Sao Carlos, Brazil, and Santiago, Chile.
According to Cirium, the airline uses its 787s to fly from Santiago to New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Orlando; from São Paulo to Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Orlando; from Fortaleza to Miami; and between Punta Cana and Miami. Occasionally, they also operate between Lima and New York and Los Angeles, although Boeing 767s are currently used for these routes.
