LATAM welcomes new Boeing 787 & expects 41 new aircraft in 2026
January 9, 2026
The arrival of a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Santiago marks the start of LATAM Airlines’ 2026 delivery programme, which will see 41 aircraft added to the group’s fleet.
Having closed 2025 on a distinctly positive note, LATAM Airlines has its sights on further growth for the year ahead. The new widebody jet, which is equipped with GEnx engines developed by GE Aerospace departed Charleston, South Carolina bound for Santiago on 30 December.
“We closed 2025 with 26 new aircraft and a fleet of more than 370 aircraft,” said Robert Alvo, CEO at LATAM Airlines in a Linkedin post.
He added that the arrival of the new Boeing 788 Dreamliner is a “concrete sign of where we are taking the LATAM fleet.” According to Alvo, LATAM is shifting towards a fleet that is progressively more modern, more efficient and more sustainable.
LATAM’s shift from Rolls-Royce to GEnx engines
The move to GEnx engines is significant as the South American airline has previously used Rolls-Royce engines on its Dreamliners. “According to the manufacturer, these engines can reduce fuel consumption by up to15%, reduce emissions and reduce the acoustic impact compared to previous generation aircraft,” noted Alvo.
He also remarked that this new engine technology aligns closely with the airline’s commitment to responsible aviation, while simultaneously strengthening its competitiveness in an increasingly challenging global environment.
More aircraft coming in 2026
Looking to the year ahead, Alvo said: “In 2026, we will add another 41 aircraft – including the first Embraer – and in 2027 we will add a further 27 aircraft, including our first Airbus XLR,” Alvo continued.
While the official breakdown for all 41 aircraft is yet to be detailed publicly, the aircraft slated for delivery this year are expected to be a mix of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A320/A321neos and Embraer E195-E2 regional jets.
In September, LATAM Airlines announced the addition of the Embraer E195-E2 would enable LATAM Airlines to boost connectivity in South America.
The airline plans to acquire up to 74 of the small narrowbody aircraft with delivery of the first E195 expected in the second half of 2026. The order includes 24 firm options and 50 purchase options.
LATAM builds on positive momentum in 2025
Over the past 12 months, the airline has consistently increased passenger traffic and capacity as well as expanding its destination network. Brand-new routes to Amsterdam, Brussels and Cape Town have all been added to the airline’s schedule this year, signifying continued confidence in the carrier’s transatlantic markets and rising demand.
Financial performance mirrored operational momentum in 2025. The South American company’s impressive third-quarter results for 2025 showed total revenues reaching US$3.9 billion, a 17.3% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
Passenger revenue during the same period increased by 18.5% to US$3.4 billion, while cargo revenue also showed strong momentum, rising 6.3% to US$404 million. Following its third-quarter results, the airline’s stock exceeded analyst expectations, increasing 5.9% in premarket trading to US$47.09.
The results also prompted the airline to anticipate full-year revenues to total between US$14.4 and US$14.5 billion, approximately US$400 million higher than its July predictions.
LATAM’s plans for long-term, sustainable growth
As LATAM Airlines looks ahead to the next two years, it is poised not only to consolidate the gains of 2025, but to build on them with a forward-looking strategy focused on sustainable expansion and longer-term value creation.
“Our plan is clear and ambitious: to grow, modernise and do it with meaning,” concluded Alvo. “By 2030, we expect to incorporate more than 130 new aircraft from different manufacturers, projecting that 50% of our fleet will be state-of-the-art.”
