LATAM's stylish new business class seats are set to take wing
By David Flynn, January 3 2019
LATAM Airways' new business class is set to take flight on the airline's latest Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets, alongside the older Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 fleet.
The seat presents a familiar face to many business travellers, with LATAM opting for the Vantage XL platform from Ireland's Thompson Aero Seating – a design best known for its role as the Qantas Business Suite of the Airbus A330s, Boeing 787s and soon the Airbus A380s.
Passengers can look forward to mod cons such as direct aisle access, a wide console for keeping documents, laptops and other items close at hand, and a shelf where that kit can be tucked out of the way until needed.
Other welcome comforts on LATAM's longest flights will include the fully lie-flat bed and an 18-inch HD video screen.
The seats have been styled by London-based design firm PriestmanGoode, which also undertook an elegant yet modern refresh of the business class cabin in subdued tan and grey tones.
"It was important to us to imbue the aircraft with a sense of place, but LATAM Airlines Group encompasses a lot of different countries and therefore different visual identities," explains PriestmanGoode project lead Daniel Sohi.
"We decided to look through commonalities in landscape as the key element that draws everything together, with the design language of the business class cabin drawing inspiration from and reflecting iconic architecture seen throughout South America."
The standout example is a marble-effect granite for the cocktail table, "which visually references the beautiful veining seen in aerial photographs of the Andes mountain chain."
The staggered layout sees each row alternately placing the middle seats right next to one another (with a sliding privacy divider between passengers) or puts them next to the aisle (with each seat's wide shelf separating the passengers)...
... while window seats are either directly next to the window or the aisle.
Both pairs of options provide a little more choice for passengers based on their individual preference, as well as if they are flying solo or travelling with a partner.
LATAM says the seats are the end result of a three year journey which has included consultations with passengers and travel experts, seat trials and ergonomic tests with customers and cabin crew, as well as 'simulated flights' with sleep trials over a two-week period.
While headlining on LATAM's newest aircraft, the new cabins will be rolled out to over 200 aircraft through a retrofit programme over the next two years.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
10 Jul 2017
Total posts 32
is it just me or in the past 12 months has it become even harder to find business class seats on qantas points between sydney and santiago?
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
14 Nov 2013
Total posts 40
There was a thread on this not long ago, the award seats are virtually non existent, i myself have had issues even trying to book 6 months out. Perhaps soon there will be more available now that NZ is flying to Buenos Aires it gives us more options to reach south america. Must say thouh well done to LATAM for the new seats, a great choice in my opinion and nice colour scheme.
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 74
I dont mind their existing 2-2-2 configuration because of the extra legroom but this is a great step up and works well for couples too with the staggered middle seats.
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 146
Wow this setup looks amazing. They look functional and some look to have a wide size hole for your feet. To me it looks like a more open version of the Qatar Qsuites.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Much nicer seat finishes than QF’s.
03 May 2013
Total posts 680
Qantas is clearly scared of offending anyone with a modern classy ac interior finish so they always opt for clinically sterile colour schemes. Ironic really considering the loud cabin crew pink and red in your face uniforms.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Jan 2017
Total posts 8
I recently flew LATAM business with the present 2-2-2, it was interesting to see how many couples were on the window seats and solo travelers on the middle row. I actually thought the cabin looked very airy, and when sleeping it was easy to roll side to side.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Dec 2011
Total posts 12
Agreed, my wife actually prefers the 2-2-2 layout, as we get to interact and enjoy each other's company more throughout the flight. The suites are great for solo travellers, but terrible for going on holiday, you hardly see your partner until you arrive. At least Air New Zealand have the seat arrangement that allow you to eat a meal together.
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