After a rather disappointing experience with Copa Airlines, it was time to return to the United States on LATAM. Specifically, I flew LATAM’s new Boeing 767 business class from Lima to Miami. While I’ll have a full review soon, I wanted to share my initial impression of the experience, because it exceeded my expectations.
In this post:
LATAM’s new business class cabin is great
LATAM is working on installing a new business class product (Thompson Vantage seats) throughout its long haul fleet, and nearly all Boeing 767s have these seats. The 767 is always a tricky plane when it comes to business class hard product. The plane’s cabin is significantly narrower than other wide bodies, and that’s especially noticeable in business class.
While LATAM isn’t the first airline to install Thompson Vantage seats on the Boeing 767, this is the most elegant I’ve seen in terms of cabin finishes. I loved the design, from the from the colors, to the patterns behind the seats, to the faux-marble side tables. The cabin felt stylish, and was in good condition.
The seats are definitely on the narrow side, but aside from United’s 767 Polaris, this is my favorite 767 hard product I’ve experienced.
I think context when it comes to the competitive landscape is also important here. American flies Airbus A321neos to Lima from Dallas and Miami, featuring the standard first class seats you’d find on domestic flights.
There’s no Wi-Fi on LATAM 767s, which I’d usually not be happy about, but on a redeye departing at 1AM and arriving at 7AM, I didn’t care much. The entertainment selection was excellent, though, with a huge variety of movies and TV shows.
LATAM’s soft product was good as well
For a 5hr20min redeye departing at 1AM, the soft product was more comprehensive than I was anticipating. Each business class passenger was given a colorful amenity kit that was fairly well stocked.
The bedding was excellent, with a soft pillow, blanket, and mattress pad.
After takeoff dinner was served on a single tray, with a cheese plate, a main course, some bread, and dessert.
Then before landing, a croissant sandwich was served.
Bottom line
My last flight on a LATAM Boeing 767 was nearly a decade ago, and it was awful (in terms of the hard and soft product). The airline has come a long way, as this flight was very good, with new and comfortable seats, solid amenities, and friendly service.
I’ll have a full review soon, but the trip took a turn for the better with this flight.
If you’ve flown LATAM’s new business class, what was your experience like?
@lucky, quick question! How was transferring/entering Chile? We are taking the same flight (SCL-MIA) in November, but on separate tickets. We will be arriving that same day from ARG on a separate ticket, so wanted to make sure there are not issues with entering the country!
I fly LATAM Business class in South America about 4 times a month, including the 767Er.
I am sorry but your review is, as far as I am concerned, way overated. On the 319/320 and 321 food services are about non existent or mediocre. On the 767, food is also very poor and the seats commands cumbersome. It is still a three star airline for me, even if they improved their ontime performances.
The food looks awful
latam left me stranded in Sao Paulo for being a US citizen. latam should stick to flying routes in Brazil only.
I am an Executive Platinum with American and live in Lima. I dearly miss the 757’s and 767’s that used to frequent this route. Despite being outdated they were at least lie-flat. We had the 787-8 and -9 for a short period of time but that is no longer the case. The A321neo is such a disappointing aircraft for such a long flight. I try to avoid it by flying LATAM but with such high...
I am an Executive Platinum with American and live in Lima. I dearly miss the 757’s and 767’s that used to frequent this route. Despite being outdated they were at least lie-flat. We had the 787-8 and -9 for a short period of time but that is no longer the case. The A321neo is such a disappointing aircraft for such a long flight. I try to avoid it by flying LATAM but with such high paid fares in Business Class fares and lack of connectivity options its complicated. I end up flying it almost twice a month. Even the soft product has gotten worse (no amenity kits or Business Class bedding). Everybody in Lima that works at American is amazing but the aircraft is so lackluster. Hopefully other aircraft will enter this market in the future.
I flew LATAM on their 777-300 with the new cabin GRU - LHR a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time flying LATAM and I was disappointed. The main disappointment was that the cabin was amazing - yet combined with the meh service mentality of the crew and the dismal catering it was a let down.
Just some examples of where they could majorly improve onboard:
- they offered no pre departure...
I flew LATAM on their 777-300 with the new cabin GRU - LHR a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time flying LATAM and I was disappointed. The main disappointment was that the cabin was amazing - yet combined with the meh service mentality of the crew and the dismal catering it was a let down.
Just some examples of where they could majorly improve onboard:
- they offered no pre departure beverages.
- single tray dinner. GRU - LHR is an 11hr flight albeit a night flight. The single tray dinner didn't bother me per se, the quality and lack of options did. A couple bits of cheese as a starter? jeez. Mediocre main course. Dessert, a few chunks of fruit,
- breakfast before landing. One tray. Cheap selection of melon fruit. No pastries (just bread rolls).
- no snacks available in between services.
- no espresso based drinks.
- the crew just going through the motions. Never an offer to refill a glass or a coffee cup. If you asked me who the in charge crew member was, I couldn't answer. No one introduced themselves via the PA,
If LATAM could combine their beautiful seats/cabin with at least decent catering and inflight service they'd be on to a winner
Flying SCL-MIA in biz soon so I appreciate this timely report Ben. Thanks :-)
It may be a 767 but so much nicer than AAs currently product. As an AA employee I’m so embarrassed and disappointed that LATAM has now surpassed us - but happy for them and wish them continued success.
I remember my first flight on a 767 in 1984 on AA SFO-JFK in Y. I have always loved that plane and the comfort in both Y and F cabins. Recently flew DL in F SAN-ATL and it reinforced my opinion that this was one of the most pax focused comfortable aircraft ever. Glad your LATAM experience was great, I will be traveling with them soon.
Recently flew Latam business class between JFK and GRU. And in economy on several internal flights in Brazil. Very pleasantly surprised both in terms of hard and soft product and the efficiency and friendliness of the cabin crews. We flew “old business class” with the fully reclining “BarcaLounger type seats. Very comfortable not having to wedge my size 12 feet into a narrow footwell!
And, the cost of the ticket on Latam was more...
Recently flew Latam business class between JFK and GRU. And in economy on several internal flights in Brazil. Very pleasantly surprised both in terms of hard and soft product and the efficiency and friendliness of the cabin crews. We flew “old business class” with the fully reclining “BarcaLounger type seats. Very comfortable not having to wedge my size 12 feet into a narrow footwell!
And, the cost of the ticket on Latam was more than one-third less expensive than it would have been on Delta or American.
If you are headed to South America, give Latam a shot.
I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your Latam flight. I encourage people to fly A South American Airline to/from South America. Your correct that the 767 is a great airplane to fly. Cozy but not huge. Too bad that the 767 hasn't been updated/replaced by a similar sized aircraft besides the 787. The 787 can be a little to much for an Airlines needs/budget. Your meal looked good too.
This is a cruel joke. latam left me stranded in Sao Paulo for being a US citizen. I feel as latam defrauded me out of the price of a ticket.
The narrow width of the 767 may be a problem for business class, but it works out great for economy (assuming anyone here cares about us plebians...). A 2-3-2 layout means only one middle seat per row, and those middle middle seats are the best kind of middle because you never have to move to let someone else out, and you have your choice of who to ask to let you out.
Another benefit is the 2 seats by the windows in economy if you’re traveling as a pair.
The A330 is the only long haul plane being built today with that.
This is miles ahead of what was served on a LATAM trans-Tasman (SYD-AKL) flight in 2017 in J. While not a super long flight, it's still a tag flight continuing on to South America yet all LATAM could muster was a "sandwich", and I use that term loosely, wrapped in cellophane. Kinda swore off LATAM for anything after that given how little thought they put into it, but this might, might change my mind.
I flew LAN (yes it was years ago!) SYD-AKL-SCL in J and as I recall nothing to write home about on the first sector but the second was fine.
Happy to hear you had good flight and experience, I recently flew from Frankfurt to Denver via Lufthansa, was in business class it was very bad experience before during and after , they served spoiled food for me I was sick for a while , the seats were not clean, the flight attendant had no class , impolite and seat had major issues, tv and remote had problems, the flight was on ground for 6...
Happy to hear you had good flight and experience, I recently flew from Frankfurt to Denver via Lufthansa, was in business class it was very bad experience before during and after , they served spoiled food for me I was sick for a while , the seats were not clean, the flight attendant had no class , impolite and seat had major issues, tv and remote had problems, the flight was on ground for 6 hours due to passenger was sick , oh my God I have so much to talk about Lufthansa and the crew , I hope they take sone training to be better at treating people nice .
nobody asked but you do you
767 is narrow, but I'd say cosy at the same time - with a great product as this one it's a joy to fly.
Looks like someone dropped some tampons in your dessert...
But there is no door for your business class seat, what did you do?
God save the King !
I would never eat that food... look disgusting. Other than that , 767 looks nice.
Maybe the food looks at you and thinks you're even more disgusting?
Kudos for flying to/from Latin America and bringing us some more exotic new products!