SkyTeam member Aerolineas Argentinas has been a bit of a mess — the airline has been government owned since 2008, and lost money for 18 consecutive years. The company was given enough support to stay alive, but not enough of an investment to actually succeed.
Amazingly enough, in 2024, the airline turned its first profit in decades. The airline had an operating profit of $56.6 million, and expects its profit to roughly double in 2025. The company is now planning a major investment, as reported by Aviacionline, made possible by the carrier no longer requiring annual contributions from Argentina’s government. This investment includes new planes, plus an updated passenger experience.
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Aerolineas Argentinas to acquire 18 Airbus & Boeing jets
Aerolineas Argentinas’ fleet currently consists of around 80 planes, including Airbus A330s, Boeing 737s, and Embraer E190s. The airline is now planning on adding 18 modern planes to its fleet, by way of lease agreements:
- Aerolineas Argentinas will acquire four Airbus A330-900s, which will complement the fleet of 10 A330-200s
- Aerolineas Argentinas will acquire 18 Boeing 737 MAXs, including two 737 MAX 8s, four 737 MAX 9s, and eight 737 MAX 10s, which will complement the fleet of 12 737 MAX 8s (plus seven 737-700s, and 28 737-800s)
Now, exact details here remain to be seen regarding the timeline with which these planes will be delivered, or whether this deal is actually finalized, or still in process. For that matter, the 737 MAX 10 hasn’t actually been certified yet, so there everything is far from certain. Either way, it’s exciting to see Aerolineas Argentinas finally modernizing its fleet in some form.
Aerolineas Argentinas investing in passenger experience
Not only is Aerolineas Argentinas acquiring new planes, but the airline also finally plans to update the cabins of its existing aircraft, as part of a $65 million investment.
For one, Aerolineas Argentinas plans to retrofit the cabins of its Airbus A330s, including introducing a new business class product. The idea is that the passenger experience will be harmonized between the A330-200s and the A330-900neos.
Details of the updated cabins beyond that remain to be seen, but it’s exciting that the airline is planning an investment. For what it’s worth, the carrier currently has angled seats in business class that are in a 2-2-2 configuration, so that’s mighty uncompetitive nowadays.
As of 2027, Aerolineas Argentinas also plans to introduce Wi-Fi throughout the fleet, starting with A330s, and followed by 737s and E190s. It hasn’t yet been announced which provider the airline is partnering with, but I’m sure that will be revealed soon enough as well.
Bottom line
For the first time in a long time, Aerolineas Argentinas is making a big investment in its passenger experience. The airline is acquiring 18 new planes (Airbus A330neos and Boeing 737 MAXs), retrofitting its long haul aircraft (including with a new business class), and introducing Wi-Fi throughout the fleet.
While there are currently more questions than answers, it’s encouraging to see that some positive changes are in the works, and I look forward to learning all the details.
What do you make of these Aerolineas Argentinas developments?
You have it totally wrong. The cut off of welfare from the government forced them to become efficient in order to stay in business.
bUt wIlL tHe NeOs hAVe FaX mAchIneS?!?!?!
@Jordan - I don't know when you were there last, but Buenos Aires is no longer "dirt cheap". Restaurant prices now equal most US restaurants (not high end places though).
Last time I flew AR was on a 747 out of MIA with a business colleague. When we asked for a second glass of wine, F/A brought the bottle and put it on the tray table and said "enjoy." She then went to sit in the galley and smoke for the remainder of the flight.
As a huge fan of Buenos Aires, this is a great update.
The carrier has one of my Top 5 favourite liveries. Bold and very beautiful in person, on any of their aircraft.
AA is dominant on EZE - US flights, where I sometimes see 5 or 6 777's on the ground at the same time. In the past, there was even a 787 nonstop to LAX.
Argentina has been in a major free...
As a huge fan of Buenos Aires, this is a great update.
The carrier has one of my Top 5 favourite liveries. Bold and very beautiful in person, on any of their aircraft.
AA is dominant on EZE - US flights, where I sometimes see 5 or 6 777's on the ground at the same time. In the past, there was even a 787 nonstop to LAX.
Argentina has been in a major free fall since 2001. If you have never been, GO, Buenos Aires is amazing amazing. Looks like Paris, is dirt dirt cheap, great food and shopping, and lovely lovely people.
I wish them well!
Argentinians have been through alot and BA indeed is a beautiful city.
It is more notable that, although they are part of SkyTeam, DL has expanded its joint venture with Latam to Argentina. LA now operates MIA-EZE while DL operates JFK and ATL-EZE, the latter of which is double daily during the peak holiday periods.
It's no longer dirt cheap, it just hasn't become ridiculously expensive yet. Up until 2023, I could stay in a junior suite for about €35 per night, nowadays that's barely sufficient for lunch at a parilla de barrio.
“…seats in business class that are in a 2-2-2 configuration, so that’s mighty uncompetitive nowadays.”
Hey, a 5 star Skytrax German airline has the majority of its business fleet in this format.
Worse! Lufthansa's 747s have a cabin in 2x3x2 for its business class.
What and I and all other readers want to know is whether passengers in first class will still be able to send faxes from the sky?
There are so few reviews of Aerolineas Argentinas business class out there...
Though it seems like 1 or 2 of their A330s have the TAP Portugal business class product?
That's another airline I would love for you to review!
At least their long-haul product desperately needs an upgrade. The short-haul is actually quite pleasant, in particular their Premium Economy which features US-style first class seats.
Knowing the political stance Argentina has, I wouldn't be surprised to see if this influences them going for Starlink, which would be a major upgrade to the passenger experience, as when I flew them between Buenos Aires and Santiago the experience left a lot to be desired up in premium economy.