LATAM Airlines Unveils Premium Economy on Boeing 787 Dreamliners
LATAM Airlines is preparing to elevate its long-haul offering with the launch of a dedicated Premium Economy cabin—branded as Premium Comfort—on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The airline confirmed earlier this month that the seats will be supplied by RECARO Aircraft Seating, with the first deliveries and installations scheduled to begin in 2027.
This is a historic first for Latin America, as no carrier from the continent has had a standalone premium economy offer on intercontinental services. No other airline serves its premium economy offer internationally, so the move signals that LATAM is part of a larger trend alongside its budgeted upgrade into the fleet, as airlines extensively globally have also built out their passenger experience to become more a part of their narrative.
Premium Comfort: A New Class between Economy and Business
LATAM will retrofit all its fleet of Boeing 787-8s and 787-9s with RECARO’s PL3530 long-range premium class seats and has handed in 41 orders in total for shipsets. Each seat will provide a 40-inch pitch, up to 8 inches recline, is wider than standard economy, and has privacy wings for a more individualized feel.
To complement the seating, passengers will enjoy Panasonic’s Astrova in-flight entertainment system, featuring 16-inch 4K displays, Bluetooth connectivity, USB-C fast charging, and AC power outlets.
Paulo Miranda, Vice President of Customers at LATAM Airlines Group, highlighted the vision behind the new product:
“Premium Comfort reflects our deep understanding of evolving customer needs. It combines comfort, space, and high-level service with exceptional value. This product redefines how we envision long-haul flying from South America: an experience that blends privacy, design, and the warmth of our region.”
LATAM will invest more than $100 million in rolling out Premium Comfort, tapping into demand from travelers seeking added comfort without the full expense of business class.
Modernizing the Boeing 787 Fleet
The introduction of Premium Comfort comes alongside LATAM’s wider $360 million cabin retrofit program for its 787 Dreamliners, announced in September 2024. The program covers 24 aircraft and includes both business and economy upgrades, with completion targeted for the second half of 2026. Work is being carried out at LATAM’s maintenance facilities in São Carlos, Brazil, and Santiago, Chile.
In business class, LATAM is installing RECARO R7 premium mini suites, complete with sliding privacy doors and interiors inspired by South America’s natural landscapes. Each 787-8 will feature 20 suites, while the larger 787-9s will be equipped with 30. Since April 2025, LATAM has already introduced three refurbished 787-8s, deploying them on routes from Santiago to Mexico City, Bogotá, Miami, Madrid, New York, Los Angeles, and Easter Island.
LATAM’s Dreamliner Fleet
According to ch-aviation, LATAM currently operates 37 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, comprising 10 787-8s and 27 787-9s, with 15 additional 787-9s on order. The type serves as the backbone of LATAM’s long-haul network, connecting South America with destinations across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Configuration varies across the fleet. The 787-8s are set up in a two-class layout with 247 seats, including 30 in business class and 217 in economy. The newer business cabin features RECARO CL6720 mini suites with sliding doors and 18-inch HD displays, while economy is outfitted with RECARO PL3710 seats in a 3-3-3 layout.
The 787-9 fleet is divided into two variants. The first group offers a 2-2-2 business layout with Zodiac Aura Lite seats and 283 Collins Pinnacle economy seats, while the newer batch introduces Thompson Vantage XL suites in a 1-2-1 layout, providing greater privacy and direct aisle access.
A Milestone for Latin American Airlines
With Premium Comfort LATAM becomes the first Latin American airline, and, in fact, the first airline to offer a specific premium economy product for long-haul flights. Along with its other cabin upgrades and large investments in the Dreamliner fleet, the airline wants to see itself as a leader in the changing Latin American aviation landscape.
https://www.latamairlines.com/
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