LATAM Unveils New Business Class with Doors for 787 Dreamliner Fleet

The South American airline titan LATAM is set to introduce a brand-new business-class experience on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

The airline announced on Tuesday that it would be rolling out a new business class product on its Boeing 787s, along with a fresh economy seat on these aircraft as well.

This new business-class offering, a tailored version of the premium Recaro R7 seat, will come with sliding doors and direct aisle access for each traveler, making LATAM the first airline in South America to provide fully enclosed suites.

Additional enhancements with this new product include USB-C charging ports, Bluetooth connectivity for pairing wireless headphones with the inflight entertainment system, and extra storage compartments.

The seating layout will follow a 1-2-1 configuration, where window seats will alternate between being positioned closer to the aisle and nearer to the window.

The center seats will feature alternating configurations: one will have a honeymoon-style setup, while the other will provide a more spacious separation with a larger table. All center seats will have retractable privacy dividers for added comfort.

If this design seems recognizable, it’s because it’s already in use by several airlines. Previously known as the CL6720 seat by Recaro, you can find it on select aircraft operated by Air China and Iberia. (The CL6720 is an upgraded version of the CL6710 seat, which is used by Azul, TAP, and El Al, among others.)

Best times to travel: These are the prime moments to purchase an international flight

LATAM is set to retrofit 10 of its Boeing 787-8 and 14 of its 787-9 Dreamliners with a new seating product. The retrofitting process is anticipated to begin early next year, with the first 787-8 expected to return to service on March 1, 2025. The modified 787-8s will serve the Chilean domestic market exclusively, while the 787-9s will operate in Chile, Brazil, and Peru, according to LATAM. The entire project is projected for completion by mid-2026, with each retrofit taking between one and three months, depending on the specific upgrades.

LATAM's current business-class offerings on the Boeing 787 are inconsistent. Some aircraft boast the airline's latest business product (the Thompson Vantage XL seat), while others are configured in an outdated 2-2-2 layout featuring older seats.

With this enhancement, all of the airline's Dreamliners are expected to showcase a newly upgraded business product. LATAM is unlikely to alter its other long-haul aircraft, as they already feature the Thompson Vantage XL seat.

In the economy section, LATAM is introducing a new ergonomically crafted seat designed to enhance space and comfort. These seats will be covered in up to 70% recycled leather and will also support Bluetooth connectivity.

While the retrofitting process will undoubtedly elevate the premium experience and ensure greater consistency moving forward, it will result in a reduced capacity in the front section of the aircraft.

Currently, all of LATAM's Dreamliners are equipped with 30 business seats. Post-retrofit, the 787-8 will feature only 20 seats distributed across five rows.

The larger 787-9 will retain its 30-seat configuration, but securing award availability on the 787-8 is likely to become increasingly challenging.

"With a design that captures the distinctive spirit of the LATAM Group and meticulous attention to detail, our new cabins are crafted to deliver a world-class travel experience. The new Premium Business seats represent a major advancement, merging comfort, privacy, and sophistication. These upgrades position LATAM as an industry leader, offering our passengers an unparalleled level of comfort and a unique flying experience," stated Paulo Miranda, vice president of customers.