LATAM has just unveiled the interiors for its upcoming Airbus A321XLRs, which will make it the first carrier in South America to offer fully flat suites with direct aisle access on a narrow body aircraft.
LATAM plans new narrow body business class suites
LATAM has at least 13 Airbus A321XLRs are on order, which are expected to be delivered starting in 2027. The A321XLR is the new long range, narrow body aircraft from Airbus, which stretches the capabilities of the A321 family.
The airline intends to use these planes to open up new long haul markets, though it’s not yet clear out of which LATAM hubs the planes will fly. I suspect these planes will primarily be used for service to North America, or possibly for service from secondary cities in Brazil to Europe. Officially, for now the airline just claims these planes will be used to “strengthen connectivity between South America and more distant destinations.”
Once the airline does take delivery of these A321XLRs, we can expect an all-new long haul passenger experience from the airline. The airline plans to configure these planes with more than 170 seats in a two-cabin layout, with business class and premium economy. Business class will feature the Thompson Aero VantageSOLO product, while economy will feature the Recaro R3 seats.
In business class, this is a herringbone product (in a 1-1 configuration) with direct aisle access and doors. The airline will offer seat back entertainment throughout the aircraft, along with upgraded Wi-Fi and bluetooth audio. Based on the renderings, it appears business class will have 12 seats, spread across six rows.
Here’s how Paulo Miranda, LATAM’s Chief Expereince and Customer Officer, describes this:
“The Airbus A321XLR allows us to take our value proposition to the next level and elevate the travel experience for our passengers. We are introducing a Premium Business cabin on single-aisle aircraft, with long-haul standards of comfort, connectivity and privacy, and a design inspired by South America. This allows us to offer more travel options, strengthen our network, and deliver a more consistent experience for our passengers.
The A321XLR onboard experience is pretty predictable
The A321XLR is impressive for its range, and it’s understandable that the economics of such a small plane for long haul flying can be challenging. As a result, we’re really seeing airlines try to maximize capacity as much as possible, and this is also leading to so many airlines having very similar premium products on planes.
LATAM will have herringbone seats on the A321XLR, just like… well, all current operators that use this primarily as a long haul aircraft, with the exception of Aer Lingus.
For those keeping track at home, the Thompson Aero VantageSOLO product is what you’ll find in JetBlue’s Mint business class on select A321neo/LR aircraft, and it’s also what you’ll find in Iberia’s A321XLR business class.
While American’s A321XLR business class looks similar, it’s based on the Collins Aerospace Aurora seating platform, and that’s also what Air Canada has selected.
Admittedly these planes all have better business class products than we found on long haul Boeing 757s years ago (the most direct replacement), and the tech is also greatly updated. That being said, as a passenger experience geek, this sure is a boring plane… “you get a herringbone seat, you get a herringbone seat, you get a herringbone seat, everyone gets a herringbone seat!”
While not quite A321XLRs, credit to ITA Airways’ A321neo business class and Etihad’s A321LR business class for having reverse herringbone seats.
Bottom line
In 2027, LATAM expects to start taking delivery of the Airbus A321XLR, which the airline plans to use to grow into new markets. The airline has now revealed what we can expect onboard these planes, and it includes herringbone seats with direct aisle access and doors in business class.
Ultimately the cabin looks sleek, and it’s cool to see this in South America, where no other airline is currently offering such an experience. But still, it’s hard to get too excited when so many airlines are introducing a similar product.
LATAM in general deserves credit for the extent to which it’s elevating the passenger experience in Latin America, as we’ve seen the airline introduce two new wide body business class products over the past several years.
What do you make of LATAM’s new A321XLR business class?
