Carry on: LAN introduces larger Dreamliner on Auckland-Chile route
The larger B787-9 will increase passenger capacity to Santiago by 27%.
South America’s LAN Airlines has introduced Boeing’s larger Dreamliner variant to its daily trans-Pacific route to New Zealand.
The first B787-9 on a scheduled service arrived in Auckland this morning on the regular stopover between Santiago, Chile, and Sydney.
Air New Zealand also flies B787-9s but will use revamped B777-200s to its first South American destination, the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, from December 1.
LAN has used the slightly smaller 787-8 on the Santiago-Auckland-Sydney route since April.
The larger model will increase passenger capacity by 27%.
LATAM Airlines Group’s managing director Asia Pacific, Patricio Aylwin, says the move is part of a wider initiative.
“The introduction of the 787-9 demonstrates LAN’s continued focus to feature more efficient aircraft across its network, as well as contributes to our plan of expanding our capacity and presence in this region," he says.
LAN has configured the 787-9 cabin with 283 economy class seats and 30 premium business class seats.
Flights to South America connect with more than 115 destinations operated by both LAN and TAM Airlines, which make up the LATAM Group.
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Nevil Gibson
Tue, 22 Sep 2015
Tue, 22 Sep 2015
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Carry on: LAN introduces larger Dreamliner on Auckland-Chile route
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