LATAM Airlines Group has chosen to conduct an extensive retrofit of the bulk of its existing Airbus A319 fleet. Citing a scarcity of available new aircraft, the airline group will instead be investing $40 million in upgrading 37 of its fleet of 39 A319s. The upgrades will include new economy and premium economy seats, enhanced connectivity and new in-flight entertainment.
The A319 is the smallest aircraft in the LATAM fleet, used for regional routes primarily from Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima and São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport. LATAM currently has 39 of the type that are operational, with an average age of 17 years, making it one of the older aircraft types in the fleet. Upgrades to the A319s follow extensive retrofit programs for LATAM’s A320s, A321s, and Boeing 787s in recent years.
Key Details Of The A319 Retrofit
The A319 retrofit program was initiated in May, with two aircraft completed so far and the full fleet expected to be finalized by the second half of 2026. Each aircraft requires two to three weeks of work, with the refurbishments taking place at LATAM’s maintenance bases in Brazil, Peru, and Chile.
The A319 retrofits will be the first comprehensive overhaul of aircraft that in some cases have flown with the airline and its predecessors (LAN Airlines and TAM Linhas Aéreas) for more than two decades. The updates will include the following:
New Collins Meridian seats with greater recline, padding for comfort and fully-adjustable headrests.
Improved overhead bin capacity and optimized spaces for personal items, including mounting pads for phones and tablets.
Improved connectivity, with new Wi-Fi across all aircraft and USB-A and USB-C ports at every seat.
New in-flight entertainment via LATAM Play, accessible from any personal device.
Jaime Cornejo, cabin interior manager for LATAM, says that the retrofits will also introduce «a new generation of interiors inspired by the nature, architecture, landscapes, and the urban culture of South America.» To achieve this, LATAM is incorporating regional materials, textures, and colors, seeking to create an atmosphere that combines the modern with the authentic representation of the continent.
«With this renewal of the A319s, we are not only modernizing our fleet, but also bringing the essence of South America to the interiors of our aircraft. Every detail, from the upholstery inspired by our landscapes to the textures that evoke our culture, was carefully selected. This investment ensures that our fleet is equipped with the latest in comfort and connectivity»…
