How LATAM’s New Dreamliner Experience is Reinventing Long-Haul Flying
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With the entry into service of three upgraded Boeing 787-8 aircraft last April, LATAM became the first carrier in South America to offer private business-class suites with sliding doors. The carrier is now halfway through its ambitious whole-cabin retrofit program for a total of 24 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners, a project worth around US$360 million, which it hopes will position LATAM as one of the world’s leading airlines. APEX Insights spoke to LATAM Director of Cabin Interior & IFEC Jaime Cornejo Swett to gain deeper insight into the design process and the standout features of the new offering.
Creating an Industry-Leading Passenger Experience
The new cabin interiors were created during a multi-year process in collaboration with long-term partner PriestmanGoode, and according to Cornejo Swett, the retrofit represents “more than a product upgrade.”
“The refresh of LATAM’s entertainment and onboard service offerings was conceived as part of a fully integrated design process, developed in parallel with the new cabin interiors.”
– Jaime Cornejo Swett, LATAM
Instead, it is part of a “holistic vision where design, comfort, hospitality and regional identity move in the same direction. By integrating South American inspiration, premium materials, advanced technology and human-centered design, we are redefining how passengers experience long-haul travel with LATAM. This evolution supports our goal of delivering an end-to-end experience that feels distinctive, warm and world class.”
LATAM has been recognized as an APEX Five Star Global Airline for four consecutive years, an award which focuses highly on the quality of the onboard experience, but Cornejo Swett believes the new 787 cabins will further improve passenger loyalty and satisfaction. He said reception for the overhauled Dreamliners has already been overwhelmingly positive, with “early indicators and customer feedback show[ing] a positive trend” in terms of Net Promoter Score (NPS).
At the time of writing, nine of LATAM’s ten 787-8 jets have been retrofitted with the new interiors, as well as two of the fourteen 787-9s in scope. The remaining aircraft are scheduled to be completed by the second half of 2026, with each requiring one to two months’ work at LATAM’s specialized maintenance bases in São Paulo, Brazil, and Santiago, Chile.
Premium Business Suites Offer Privacy, Enhanced Comfort
There are 20 Premium Business suites available on the 787-8 and 30 on the 787-9, both based on the RECARO R7 platform. Each aircraft type features a 1-2-1 layout with a honeymoon configuration available for the middle seats should passengers traveling together want to create a shared experience.
Cornejo Swett said the R7 was chosen for its ability to deliver a premium long-haul experience while allowing a high level of customization: “Compared to the base product, we increased the suite height to enhance privacy, developed a dedicated shoe stowage compartment, and even integrated a real granite table to elevate the material quality and perceived premium feel.”
The full-flat beds range from 76- to 81-inches in length, depending on the aircraft type and cabin configuration.
Bedding includes a soft, full-seat mat that covers the entire seat with elastic fittings to ensure secure attachment while still allowing seamless use of the three-point seatbelt. Cornejo Swett continued, “The bedding set also includes a dedicated bag with a pillow and a duvet designed with two distinct sides, one in peach skin microfiber for a fresher feel and the other in microplush for added warmth, allowing passengers to choose their preferred level of comfort.” Redesigned slippers complete the rest and relaxation experience.
Furthermore, passengers can create their own micro-environment with personal lighting control. There is a personalized reading light at each seat, complemented by PSU lighting integrated into the overhead bins, as well as a ‘do not disturb’ button within the suite.
Drawing Inspiration from South American Landscapes
Cornejo Swett noted, “Inspiration from South America is expressed through a carefully curated use of colors, textures, patterns, and forms that reference the region’s landscapes, combined with contemporary design cues. For instance, the dress cover and decorative foil draw inspiration from the north of Chile and its desert landscapes, while the real granite table references the Andes mountain range that runs across South America.
“The inner shell design is inspired by Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil, translating its flowing forms into a refined, modern surface,” he went on. “These elements not only serve an aesthetic purpose but also a functional one. For example, the inner shell helps reduce ambient cabin noise, enhancing the overall sense of comfort and privacy. Together, these design features create a cohesive environment where South American identity and functionality are seamlessly integrated.”
The influence of the region is also plain to see in LATAM’s latest business-class amenity kits. Six different colorways represent six different locations, from the Atacama desert to Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. The kits include skincare from Costa Brazil, which harnesses responsibly sourced Amazon rainforest actives.
“By integrating South American inspiration, premium materials, advanced technology and human-centered design, we are redefining how passengers experience long-haul travel with LATAM.”
– Jaime Cornejo Swett, LATAM
IFE, Onboard Service Designed to Complement the Cabin
The updated 787s feature Panasonic Avionics’ PAC eX3 in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, with more responsive 18-inch screens in Premium Business and 12-inch screens in economy as well as access to Panasonic’s Arc moving map. Bluetooth connectivity allows passengers to pair their personal headphones with the IFE in Economy.
“The refresh of LATAM’s entertainment and onboard service offerings was conceived as part of a fully integrated design process, developed in parallel with the new cabin interiors to ensure a seamless and coherent passenger experience.” stated Cornejo Swett. “Within the IFE, a carefully curated color palette was aligned with the cabin tones, allowing for a slightly bolder and more expressive approach appropriate for a digital entertainment space, while remaining fully harmonious with the physical interiors.
“We are approaching the launch of a new graphic user interface for our entertainment system. This platform now allows LATAM to update design, branding, and navigation quickly, resulting in a more personalized experience. Furthermore, the use of the brand elements across IFE and onboard services was intentionally selective, appearing only at defined moments and touchpoints to enhance brand recognition and visual flow without creating sensory overload,” he continued.
The IFE content library spans over 330 movies, 1,250 TV shows and 950 albums available alongside a selection of LATAM Originals, exclusive pieces of content created for the airline that reflects the cultural richness, diversity, and stories of South America.
At the recent APEX Content Market event in Dubai, LATAM was awarded APEX Best Entertainment in South America based on votes from over one million verified passengers on flights across over 600 airlines using the TripIt® from Concur® app.
In addition, LATAM is rolling out high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi across its wide-body fleet, including its Dreamliners, in partnership with Viasat. The installation of Viasat Amara, which is powered by a multi-orbital network of geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, will begin this year as part of a US$60 million investment.
When it comes to the food and beverage experience in LATAM’s Premium Business, passengers now enjoy enhanced coffee offerings, three course lunch or dinner menus, and a renewed beverage selection, all presented with tableware and service elements aligned with the new cabin aesthetic.
“Inspiration from South America is expressed through a carefully curated use of colors, textures, patterns, and forms that reference the region’s landscapes.”
– Jaime Cornejo Swett, LATAM
Comfort is Also King for Economy-Class Passengers
On the Boeing 787-8, the cabin layout also includes 48 seats offering an elevated economy-class experience, dubbed LATAM+, with 35-inches of seat pitch and an seven-inch recline; and 203 economy-class seats. For the Boeing 787-9, LATAM offers 57 LATAM+ seats and 213 standard economy-class seats. Both aircraft feature the same 3-3-3 configuration in economy to ensure consistency across the fleet.
LATAM opted for Recaro’s CL3710 seat in economy, which was developed based on human centered ergonomic studies to ensure maximum comfort on long-haul flights. Its slim and modern design enhances the perception of space, while carefully engineered cushioning improves comfort over extended periods. The carrier selected all available comfort features for the seat type to deliver the best possible passenger experience, including a six way adjustable headrest, comfort cushions and improved armrest.
The seats are clad with GenPhoenix’s ELeather, which is produced by repurposing leather off-cuts and fibers from the manufacturing process that are then reengineered using advanced technology to create a high quality, durable material.
Innovation Across Every Passenger Touchpoint
LATAM’s investment in a premium passenger experience does not stop at its Dreamliners. LATAM Airlines Group is also investing in its regional fleet, having ordered 24 Embraer E195-E2s, with options for a further 50 of the type.
On the ground, it recently announced plans to open a new airline lounge at Lima’s Jorge Chávez Airport as well as a new space in São Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport, which is expected to open in 2027. In the coming years, it said it will expand the LATAM lounge at Miami International Airport in the US.
The airline group’s bullish approach to elevating its products and services is enabled by strong growth, both in terms of passenger numbers and profits. On February 3, LATAM announced it carried an average of over 239,000 passengers per day, marking an 8.2 per cent capacity increase versus the previous year. It also disclosed an NPS of 54 points, the highest in the group’s history.
It posted a net income of US$1.5 billion, representing a 49.4 per cent increase compared to 2024. “We closed 2025 satisfied with the progress made in the consolidation of LATAM. The results reflect a strengthened business model, supported by a differentiated value proposition, consistent operational execution and financial discipline, which has enabled the group to grow profitably and sustainably,” said LATAM Airlines Group CEO Roberto Alvo.