LATAM took a fairly surprising (and welcome) decision to completely revamp its still fairly modern signature ground product in Santiago de Chile, which only opened back in 2015. The brand-new LATAM Lounge has just opened its doors for its preferred passengers and LATAM’s partner airline members, including while waiting for their flight.
The new space, which replaces the old VIP lounge takes the best of regional design influences, while trying to respond to the global need to be more sustainable. In line with the group’s commitment to integrate sustainability throughout its operation, the new space has important sustainable attributes.
Sustainability is an increasingly politically charged conversation in Latin American countries, so the airline’s decision to challenge the environment head on is admirable. The lounge has claimed to use of 80% renewable energy for its operation, interactive games with educational themes surrounding recycling and conservation and waste reduction is encouraged through recycling and reuse. This new lounge will also compensate its carbon footprint through of unique ecosystem conservation projects in the South America.
“Our decision making is always guided by our customers, and we continue to advance an experience where everyone can choose what is important for their trip. We have promoted changes and innovations in our new Lounge to create a space that highlights the best of our region and where there are options for everyone to enjoy their time as they see fit,” said Paulo Miranda Vice President of Customers for LATAM Airlines Group.
“This represents another step in the group’s sustainability strategy, which we are convinced should be an integral aspect in all our areas. It must guide us and be at the centre of what we do,” said the LATAM’s executive.
The new space has a series of art sculptures by emerging South American artists, made mostly with recycled materials. Ximena Guzmán (Chilean), Sofía Donován (Argentinean) and Percy Zorrilla (Peruvian) are some of 21 artists who will exhibit their works in the new lounge.
Additionally, LATAM will be renovating the other services it offers to mirror LATAM’s other lounges like Sao Paulo, including lockers for hand luggage, sleeping areas, special areas for children and family, showers, open bar, buffet service with Latin American cuisine, ironing service, shoe shine, and co-work areas.
On first impression the lounge is both stunning and reflective of LATAM’s latest brand image. The design reflects the new premium cabins found on LATAM’s long-haul fleet, and the lighting design is really quite beautiful.
The clever mix of natural materials and metals has created an intimate and luxurious environment, a polar opposite to the lighter, airy palette used in the previous lounge incarnation. We actually really like the design palette here, and the connection to the fleet product is very well considered.
“LATAM Lounge” is located in the new Terminal 2 of the Santiago airport, and it is available to all passengers with the LATAM benefits program in the Black Signature, Black and Platinum categories, for flights in Premium cabin, alliance customers and Business partners, traveling on international flights, or making stopovers in Chile.
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