Chile-based LAN's first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has completed the final assembly process in Everett, Washington, ahead of its delivery to the airline in September.
LAN will be the first Latin American carrier operating the aircraft with 32 787s on order. The airline recently completed a merger with Brazil's TAM and the merged carrier's chief executive Enrique Cueto told Flightglobal in June that the first 787 will be delivered in September.
Cueto said the first 787 route will likely be to Los Angeles or Buenos Aires, with the airline aiming to operate the aircraft to Europe eventually. Madrid, Frankfurt and Lima are among the other destinations that the airline plans to operate the 787 to in the first year of service.
LAN's 787s, representing a $3.5 billion investment for the airline, will be delivered over the next 10 years. The order includes 10 787-9s. LAN's first 787-8 is configured in two classes, with 217 seats in economy and 30 seats in business.
(All pictures courtesy of LAN)
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
