Expands Carrier’s Boeing 787 Widebody Fleet to 52 by 2030

Boeing recently announced an order by LATAM Airlines Group for 10 new 787 Dreamliner widebody jets. The carrier will have the option to purchase five additional 787-9s.

The fleet expansion confirms LATAM’s position as the largest 787 operator in South America. The airline’s 787 fleet will reach 52 aircraft by 2030, allowing it to support new nonstop long-haul routes. LATAM currently has 37 787-8 and 787-9 widebody jets in service.

“The Boeing 787 is a much more efficient aircraft, allowing us to continue growing sustainably while reducing our carbon footprint as we drive the growth of our operations,” commented Ramiro Alfonsín, Chief Financial Officer of the LATAM Airlines Group. “This order will enable us to receive at least two aircraft of this model each year from 2025 until the end of the decade.”

Boeing claims that its 787 family is capable of reducing fuel consumption and emissions by up to 25% compared to older models. Its 787-9 has the farthest reach out of the series, able to travel 7,565 nm with almost 300 passengers before needing to be refueled. Around 1,200 Dreamliners are currently in service worldwide and support 400 new nonstop routes.

"We appreciate LATAM's continued confidence in the 787 Dreamliner family to further expand its international network from hubs in Santiago, Sao Paulo and Lima," stated Mike Wilson, Boeing’s VP of Commercial Sales for Latin American and Caribbean regions. "As demand for air travel rises, we will continue to support LATAM's growth strategy and goal of connecting Latin America with the world."

The agreement is a smart move on Boeing’s part, especially with its need to draw in some quick extra profits. The mega manufacturer is currently far behind on production and consistently losing cash due to the ongoing strike and FAA investigation.

Boeing's 2024 Commercial Market Outlook anticipates Latin American air travel to grow exponentially in the next two decades, with nearly 2,300 aircraft deliveries by 2043.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.latamairlines.com