Airbus delivery delays force LATAM to refurbish A319 fleet
July 16, 2025
LATAM Airlines is refitting its ageing Airbus A319 fleet as it awaits the delivery of its next-generation narrow-body aircraft.
The $40m upgrade plan includes refreshed cabin interiors with improved in-flight entertainment systems, storage and Wi-Fi.
LATAM’s refurbishment aims to offer passengers a more comfortable flying experience as it awaits delivery of A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
The group is expecting to have more than 100 A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircraft by the end of this decade.
LATAM’s Airbus A319 upgrades
CEO Roberto Alvo said that 37 A319s were to be upgraded while the company faces delays in Airbus deliveries. The average age of LATAM’s A319 fleet is 17 years.
By investing in these interim upgrades, LATAM said it was ensuring its A319s remain reliable and appealing while crew and maintenance teams prepare for the integration of newer aircraft types.
The refit programme is part of LATAM’s broader fleet modernisation strategy.
“This investment ensures that a portion of our fleet is equipped with the latest technology in comfort and connectivity,” the carrier said.
LATAM awaits more Airbus aircraft
In 2023, LATAM Airlines took delivery of its first A321neo leased from AerCap and placed an order for 13 additional A321neo aircraft.
It was the first delivery of a committed backlog of 76 A321neo aircraft. The carrier currently has 42 A320neos and 15 A321neos in its fleet.
Earlier in July, LATAM announced it would be embarking on a $60 million investment programme for its widebody fleet – primarily Boeing 777s and 787s – to improve connectivity on long haul flights.
It will begin offering onboard Wi-Fi for flights such as Santiago–Sydney, Santiago–New York, Lima–Madrid, and São Paulo–London, among others, from 2026.
By the end of this year, 100% of the narrowbody fleet across all its subsidiaries will be equipped with this technology.
