The aircraft that the new LATAM livery was truly “designed for” has been revealed in Toulouse yesterday. LATAM Airlines Group received its fourth Airbus A350 XWB but it is the first to bear the LATAM Airlines livery, alongside its smaller sibling the brand new A320 Neo.
In December 2015, LATAM Airlines Group became the first airline group in the Americas to operate the Airbus A350 XWB and now it is the first airline group in the Americas to receive the A320 Neo.
“Once again, LATAM passengers will have the opportunity to be the first in the Americas to fly the latest Airbus aircraft, demonstrating our commitment to offering the most technologically-advanced, efficient and comfortable aircraft,” said Enrique Cueto, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
“The A320neo will play an important role in our fleet, supporting the operation of our unrivalled domestic and regional network, transporting passengers throughout Latin America.” The airline group has invested heavily into its new brand, and the new aircraft are yet another strengthening of one of the largest global airline brands.
Initially, LATAM Airlines Brazil will operate the aircraft on domestic routes in Brazil, serving destinations including Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Campo Grande, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro (Galeão) and São Paulo (Guarulhos). In November of this year, it will commence flights on regional routes in South America.
We weren’t initially that enamoured with the new livery and logo for LATAM, both original carriers having strong unique identities, Lan with its delightful wave and iconic star, and TAM with its bold iconic red livery. However, the new airframes, with their sinuous lines seem to work well with the pseudo-futuristic logotype and emblem. It’s still verging on the ‘cold side’ for a continent famed for its warmth and friendly personality, but on the international stage, these new aircraft may actually hold their own against some of the most recognised liveries.
The aircraft is configured with a 174-seat layout featuring 18”-wide seats and Airbus’s Space-Flex cabin configuration. The A320neo Family incorporates the latest technologies including new generation engines and ‘Sharklet’ wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from the beginning of operations.
LATAM Airlines Group has ordered 67 A320neo aircraft – both A320neo and A321neo variants – and is due to receive one further aircraft before the end of 2016. In total, the airline group has more than 250 Airbus aircraft in operation.
TheDesignAir 
Both are handsome aircraft. Many years of happy service to all at LATAM getting to experience these planes,