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Flight Review: LATAM Business Class 787-9 MIA-SCL

This past December I experienced LATAM Business Class for the first time on their 787-9 for the 8ish-hour flight from Miami (MIA) to Santiago (SCL).

This flight was just the beginning of a SWEET Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan redemption 2-day stopover in Santiago. The more I think about it, the more I simply cannot understand how Alaska can offer such a valuable and flexible stopover policy…. but as long as they do I am going to keep taking advantage of it!

Pre-Flight –

The whole pre-flight process got off to a smooth start with an easy check-in process and priority security process (available to all business class passengers and elite loyalty members).

From there, we could have checked out the new American Airlines Flagship Lounge… but instead, my wife very much wanted a pre-flight massage, courtesy of the American Express Centurion Lounge!

We spent an hour or so in the bustling lounge – some massages, some good food and a bit of plane spotting, and then it was time to head towards the gate!

But before we got all the way to the gate, we did pop into the LATAM VIP Lounge, just to check it out!

After a quick glass of wine, it was finally time to board that 787-9!

The Business Class Cabin –

After a quick left-hand turn, we made our our way down the aisle towards the very front – seats 1A and 1C! I know it’s weird, but I just love seeing that 1A on my ticket next to my name…

The Seat – 1A –

Comfortable cloth seats and overall pretty spacious – the 2-2-2 configuration is perfect when traveling with a companion (as I was), though the lack of direct aisle access would be a bummer if traveling alone… not to mention the loneliness of traveling alone!

Sleepy Time – When I decided it was time for bed, I pulled down my comforter and pillow from the overhead bin, put my seat in lie-flat position and placed the comforter and nice and bed-like.

I wouldn’t say that I had a great night sleep, but I was at least able to catch some ZzZzs during the flight. I think I probably stayed up to late watching movies and stuffing my face… but more to come on that below! I did make sure to place my breakfast order prior to falling asleep, with instructions to wake me up. It may be just me, but I tend to prioritize food over sleep on flights like this… you can’t experience anything if you sleep through it all!

The Entertainment –

IFE Monitor – Nice large 15.4″ individual screens up in Business class – great for watching movies instead of resting up for a full day of exploring Santiago, Chile!

Headphones – Nothing Special. Not Bose or any other name brand, but they did have a fancy LATAM logo and definitely did the trick!

The Food and Drank –

For the record, I will state that I was NOT HUNGRY on this flight. With a departure time of 9:15PM, I was still full from dinner and lounge food from earlier in the evening…

But did I let that stop me? NO, OF COURSE NOT! Hungry or not I had to experience what LATAM Business had to offer – solely in the name of flight review!

As per usual, to get the party started, we popped bubbles – some sparkling Chilean wine!

My favorite way to kickoff a flight experience!

Then immediately after take-off the crew began the dinner service.

Dinner –

To start… Asparagus soup, mixed greens and a bread and cheese selection.

Then for the Main… I requested the beef and potato, while my wife enjoyed the lemon fish and quinoa (the language barrier left us some difficulty determining what kind fish this actually was…). It was not my favorite, but I did end up eating most it, even though I wasn’t hungry… what’s wrong with me?

Next, ice cream 🙂

Breakfast – 

The pictures really didn’t turn out with the dark cabin, but that is ok since the breakfast was pretty basic. Here is the full menu though complete with what I ordered:

The Amenities –

Amenity Kit – The LATAM amenity kits are Salvatore Ferragamo branded, complete with the usual suspects: toothbrush/toothpaste, a comb, tissues, earplugs, a mirror thingy, socks, a shoe bag, and some Salvatore Ferragamo lotion and lip balm.

The Ride & Views from the Wing –

Overall a smooth flight – no complaints. People say the 787 is a different flying experience – something to do with the air quality and humidity? I don’t know… but now it is in my head that I can really tell the difference (though I probably cannot).

Smooth sailing!

Arrival –

We arrived right on schedule around 7:30AM local Santiago time.

Hello Santiago!

Final Thought

My LATAM Business Class experience on the 787-9 was solid! Everything that I expected and then some!

It was just a small part of a great adventure and I look forward to the opportunity to experience it again some day!

Have you ever flown LATAM Business on the  787-9? What did you think!?

Happy Travels!

DW

3 Comments

  1. I liked your review. the only complaint I have is with the layout of the blog. The words are thin and small and with this write background it does get a little bit hard to see. 🙂

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