LAN Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, the first 787-9 to join a Latin American carrier. This next-generation widebody offers increased capacity and range compared with the 787-8, bringing improved service options and operational efficiency to LAN’s long-haul network.
The 787-9 cabin at LAN is configured to carry a total of 313 passengers: 30 premium business-class seats and 283 economy-class seats. Compared with the 787-8, the 787-9 accommodates approximately 27 percent more passengers and carries about 23 percent more cargo, enabling LAN to serve high-demand markets more effectively while maintaining fuel efficiency and lower emissions per seat.
Ignacio Cueto, CEO of LAN, noted that the arrival of the 787-9 strengthens the airline’s growth plans and enhances the passenger experience. As the only Latin American carrier operating both 787-8 and 787-9 models, LAN expects to leverage the aircraft’s capabilities to expand route options and improve long-haul comfort and service consistency.
The new 787-9 entered commercial service in April 2015, initially operating between Santiago, Chile (SCL), and Lima, Peru (LIM), with continuing service to Los Angeles (LAX). Over the following year LAN planned a gradual expansion of 787-9 routes, targeting transcontinental and long-haul destinations including Santiago–New York (JFK), Santiago–Easter Island (IPC), Santiago–Madrid (MAD), Santiago–Frankfurt (FRA), and routes to Auckland (AKL) and Sydney (SYD). The airline expected to receive a total of six Boeing 787-9 aircraft during 2015 to support this network growth.
Beyond greater capacity, the 787-9 offers improvements in passenger comfort—such as enhanced cabin pressurization, higher humidity levels, larger windows, and quieter operation—features that contribute to reduced fatigue on long flights. For LAN, these attributes complement in-flight service and premium cabin offerings, reinforcing the carrier’s focus on delivering a better travel experience on long-haul sectors.
Operationally, the 787-9’s extended range and improved fuel burn allow LAN to open or optimize non-stop services between Santiago and distant international destinations. The aircraft’s increased payload capability also provides flexibility for seasonal demand and cargo-carrying opportunities, supporting the airline’s commercial strategy across South America and to intercontinental markets.
Introducing the 787-9 is part of LAN’s broader fleet modernization and route development plan. By operating both 787 variants, LAN can match capacity to demand more precisely, deploy the right aircraft for specific markets, and maintain consistent product standards for passengers flying across its long-haul network.
As LAN integrates additional 787-9 aircraft, travelers can expect expanded non-stop options from Santiago and improved frequency on key long-haul routes, along with the environmental and passenger experience benefits associated with the Dreamliner family.