LATAM to Transform the Cabins of Two Thirds of Its Fleet with $400 Million Investment
Aug. 21, 2018
Santiago, Chile, 20 August 2018 – LATAM Airlines Group today unveiled its plan to transform the cabins and travel experience of two-thirds of its global fleet with a US$400 million investment. The company will revamp the interior of more than 200 aircraft over the next two years with passengers being able to fly the first renovated aircraft before the end of 2018.“As part of LATAM’s long-term vision, the transformation of our cabins will enable us to offer an industry-leading onboard experience with more options, flexibility and personalization to better serve each and every passenger,” said Claudia Sender, Vice President Clients, LATAM Airlines Group. “This means being able to serve leisure passengers who want to ‘travel lighter for less’ at the same time as customers travelling for business who want privacy to both rest and work, in addition to those who wish to be able to upgrade the services that they value the most.”LATAM will transform the cabins of aircraft that serve both long- and short-haul routes throughout its network. LATAM Airlines Peru will receive the first new-look aircraft before the end of the year, followed by LATAM Airlines Brasil at the start of 2019, providing passengers travelling via LATAM’s Lima and São Paulo hubs with the first opportunity to experience the new cabins. LATAM Airlines Group’s Chile affiliate will operate aircraft featuring the new cabins from the second half of 2019.[DH(2]A new travel experienceFor passengers travelling on long-haul routes (to/from the United States or Europe for example), LATAM will transform the cabins of its Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft as well as apply the revamped design to new Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s due for delivery over the coming years. The cabins will offer:A new Premium Business seat and service that focuses on privacy and rest. Each Wide Thompson seat will have direct aisle access and offer seating options for both individuals and couples as well as a full-flat bed. It will also feature the latest generation in-flight entertainment with an 18” personal screen and have ample space for personal items.On new aircraft, the economy cabin will feature ergonomically designed Recaro seats, offering greater comfort, fast-charging USB power ports, larger 12” individual seat-back screens and a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system.Passengers in economy will also have the option to upgrade to LATAM+ Seats, offering increased space, greater recline and premium services such as priority check-in and boarding.For passengers travelling on domestic flights and routes within Latin America, LATAM will transform the cabin of over 150Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft to offer:Wi-Fi connectivity and greater in-flight entertainment options.Ergonomically designed Recaro seats, offering greater comfort and fast-charging USB power ports.The opportunity to upgrade to LATAM+ Seats, offering greater space, dedicated overhead bins and premium services such as priority check-in and boarding.A collaborative processLATAM spent three years fine-tuning the design of its new cabins – consulting passengers and experts, carrying out seat trials and ergonomic tests as well as 360 evaluations involving customers, cabin crew and LATAM team members. To select its Premium Business seat, the airline group even simulated flights with sleep trials over a two-week period.“Onboard experience is one of the most important differentiators in choosing an airline and the most relevant factor in customer satisfaction, so it was essential that our passengers were involved in the development process,” added Sender. “We are committed to better understanding and satisfying passenger needs and we believe that with these new cabins – in addition to our unrivalled network of destinations – that LATAM is well placed to consolidate its position as the first choice for passengers travelling in Latin America.”About LATAM Airlines Group S.ALATAM Airlines Group is Latin America’s leading airline group with one of the largest route networks in the world, offering air services to around 140 destinations in 25 countries, and is present in six domestic markets in Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in addition to its international operations in Latin America, Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, Oceania and Africa.The Group employs over 42.000 people worldwide, operating more than 1,300 flights per day and transporting 67 million passengers per year.LATAM Airlines Group has a young and modern fleet. Its 314 aircraft average an age of around seven years and feature the latest models including the Boeing 787, Airbus A350, A321 and A320neo.LATAM Airlines Group is the only airlines group in Latin America and one of three worldwide to be part of the Dow Jones Sustainability ‘World’ Index. In 2017, it was recognized by the index for sustainable practices, based on economic, social and environmental criteria, for the fourth consecutive year.LATAM Airlines Group shares are traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange in the form of ADRs.For any commercial or brand related query, visit www.latam.com. Further financial information is available via www.latamairlinesgroup.net
