LAN Airlines to deploy “stretch” Dreamliners to JFK-Santiago

Chile’s flagship carrier LAN Airlines has announced it will be deploying its new version of Boeing Dreamliners between the United States and South America.

The airline said that the “stretch” version of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will start operating between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) effective from July 20, 2015.

The airline is presently using the original and smaller version of Dreamliner Boeing 787-8 to conduct flights on the New York JFK-Santiago route. With the launch of the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, LAN Airlines will now become the first carrier to conduct international flights to South America from New York JFK using this new aircraft, which is configured with 313 seats.

The Boeing 787-9 is nearly 20 feet longer than Boeing 787-8. The aircraft has been designed to accommodate 40 additional passengers bringing the total carrying capacity to about 300 passengers. The aircraft’s flight capacity has also been enhanced and it can now fly an additional 450 nautical miles. The Boeing 787-8 has a capacity to carry only up to 250 passengers.

Pablo Chiozza, LATAM Airlines Group’s SVP – USA, Canada and the Caribbean, while talking to mediapersons said, “The airline considers the passengers its top priority and have always wanted to provide them with the best flying experience. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has specially been procured keeping this vital aspect in mind. The airline is also dedicated to minimize its environmental footprint.”
 
LAN Airlines, which is now owned by the LATAM Airlines Group, said that it presently operates a fleet of 10 Dreamliners and is planning to take it to a total of 32 Boeing 787 aircrafts this decade. Brazil’s TAM Airlines is also a part of the LATAM Airlines Group.