LATAM Airlines Evaluates 777X and A350-1000 to Replace its Boeing 777-300s
LATAM Airlines is evaluating how to replace its ten Boeing 777-300ERs, according to a report by FlightGlobal. CEO Roberto Alvo stated during the annual meeting of the Latin American Air Transport Association (ALTA) in Lima that the decision will not be immediate and will likely be made in the coming decade.
Currently, LATAM’s 777-300ERs are operated by its Brazilian subsidiary and are between 12 and 17 years old, according to data from Cirium.
Options on the Table: 777X and A350-1000
Alvo acknowledged that the Boeing 787-9, while successful within the company, is too small to replace the 777-300ER. Therefore, the group is looking with interest at two high-capacity alternatives: the Boeing 777X and the Airbus A350-1000.
The executive did not express a preference for either model, highlighting that both could become part of the fleet in the future.
Boeing 777X Landscape
The certification of the 777-9 has experienced significant delays. Boeing recently announced that the first deliveries are now expected in 2027, a setback from the previous plan to achieve FAA approval in 2026.
Progress of the Airbus A350-1000
Meanwhile, Airbus has unveiled the first ultra-long-range version of the A350-1000, intended for Qantas’ Project Sunrise, demonstrating the evolution of this model in the large aircraft market.
Bet on the Dreamliner
LATAM maintains a strong relationship with Boeing thanks to its fleet of 37 operational Dreamliners and more units on the way. The company expects to receive one 787 towards the end of 2025 and another at the beginning of the following year.
Furthermore, it has 17 additional orders and five future options. “We are very happy with the Dreamliner. The 787-9 is a great aircraft,” stated Alvo, who highlighted the improved stability of the assembly plant in Charleston.
A Long-Term Decision
Replacing the 777-300ERs is not an immediate priority for LATAM. The airline is closely watching the evolution of the Boeing and Airbus programs, aware that the choice will define the course of its long-haul fleet for the next decade.
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