Latam 787 Business Claad Review Jfk to Lima

LAN 787-8 Dreamliner at takeoff – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter

Recently, LAN Airlines invited me downward to their headquarters in Santiago de Chile, Chile, to check out their new Boeing 787-ix Dreamliner. While LAN was the beginning carrier in the Americas to operate the 787-8, the new stretched 787-9 offers an all-new Premium Business difficult production.  Unfortunately, at the final infinitesimal, the special event was called off due to "operational problems."

Dreamliner signature entryway on LAN's 787-8 – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

Since flights to Santiago had already been bundled I decided to still make the trip, which would give me a take chances to experience LAN's 787-8 Premium Business class, bank check out Santiago briefly, and as well take a expect at the airport feel on both ends. All-in, I'd but be gone from home in Denver for 55 hours – non too shabby for 13,000 miles of travel.

Qantas Kickoff Lounge at LAX – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

Once arriving at LAX from Denver, I made my way to the Tom Bradley International Final (TBIT) – quite a haul from Final 8 – past smokers, idling taxis, and construction sites exterior.  After entering the final (which is beautiful, by the style) I met up with LAN's Station Managing director at LAX, who offered early on access to the plane so I could bank check it out without agonizing others. I agreed to meet upwardly with her again about 15 minutes prior to general boarding.

Since I had a few hours to kill before boarding, I fabricated my fashion to the new oneworld Business Class lounge, which LAN uses along with major partners like British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, etc. However, when I got to the front door of the lounge, I kept on walking; I had bundled to tour the brand-new Qantas Start Lounge, which shares dorsum-of-firm space only is a separate facility. Expect for that review in an upcoming post.

Wide diversity of seating offered at the oneworld Business concern Course Lounge LAX – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

While the Qantas Starting time Lounge was infrequent, I found the recently-opened Business Course Lounge extremely nice when touring it later. Information technology was slightly nighttime, which allowed for the feeling of privacy in a lounge that seats hundreds of people. The food selection was top-notch, but prepare out buffet-style, unlike the dining-on-need service in the Qantas lounge. There was also a diverseness of seating options, from lounge/rest areas to galley-fashion business organisation tables (think of what yous encounter at your local Starbucks, packed with laptops).

At about 75 minutes prior to departure, I headed downwardly to my gate to meet the Station Manager. She whisked me on board the airplane, assuasive me to stow my luggage at my seat (1H – an alley seat in the middle pair, as LAN'due south Premium Business Form is ready ii/2/ii beyond the 788).

Checking out the coiffure rest area on LAN's 787-8 – Photo: Blaine Nickeson

Information technology was an odd feel beingness on the airplane that early. All of the cabin crew were working pretty frantically to become ready for the flight, talking oft over the intercom in Spanish. I was given free reign of the aircraft, including checking out the crew residual area and flight deck.

The author, in heaven – Photo: Unknown LAN Captain

The captain was really excited to testify me some of the Dreamliner's features. He had me sit in the left seat (yep!) and flip downwards the heads-up display panel. The number of screens and buttons in the flying deck is pretty overwhelming.

Heads-up display on the Dreamliner – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

In one case boarding started, I was able to check out my seat. The -8 version of LAN'southward Dreamliner uses the Weber seat, a very comfy perch that's fully lie-apartment. That said, the seats didn't seem to exist holding upwardly very well. My seat had some obvious wear and was tattered in a few areas, even though they were still relatively new.

LAN's 787-8 business course production – Photo: David Parker Brown

BONUS:ÂChasing LAN’southward Boeing 787 Dreamliner with Aerial Photographers of Wolfe Air

On the render flight, I was on a 788 that was less than four months old, and a part fell off of the seat. This isn't LAN's mistake, merely may explain why they've changed motel equipment with the introduction of the 787-ix.

The new product won't be exclusive to the stretched Dreamliner, they'll also exist streamlining their premium motel hard product across LAN and TAM with the A350 and 787-9.

Pre-departure offering on LAN Airlines – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

As I had a glass of champagne (LAN serves Louis Roederer), I browsed through the in-flight amusement system (IFE). It's fantastic, with quick responses and a wide variety of movies and shows. Flying alone is my chance to catch up on movies that don't feature Elsa, Baymax, or Emmet (parents will know what I'thou talking nearly).

We pushed from the gate on-time, with business concern course about 90% full. Sitting adjacent to me was an "off-duty" flight attendant who was supposed to be working the flying, only instead was seriously under the weather. I guess I had never thought about the fact that crew end up having "ill days" too, and that's especially tough when you are stuck in another land.

BONUS:ÂTaking LAN’due south Boeing 787-8 Delivery Flight to SantiagoÂ

I've only flown a Dreamliner once before, from San Jose to Tokyo as part of a whirlwind 77-hour trip to Singapore. For that flying, I was in the back of the plane and was very impressed by how tranquility information technology was. Well, sitting in row one, takeoff was inappreciably noticeable.

One time in-flight, the service kicked in. I found LAN's cabin crew to be warm and friendly, with consistent service. They were non as attentive as, say, crew on an Asian carrier, merely a ring of the call button rendered a quick response, with aught sign of any irritation.

Nice starter to dinner. Don't heed my socks, I was in lounge way – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

For dinner, the starter was beautifully-presented smoked salmon, with a side salad, some cheeses, and dried apricots. LAN prides itself on its wine plan (hey, they're Chilean) and I followed the primary sommelier'south recommended pairings throughout the meal.

For the chief class, I chose a nicely cooked filet, although they had a multifariousness of entrees to cull from. For dessert, I had a fantastic flan, which was paired with the 2007 Croft Port. The only existent disappointment from the meal service was the coffee; the menu describes it equally "Juan Valdez Instant Coffee." Plenty said.

Amenity kit, from Salvatore Ferragamo – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

LAN's Premium Business amenity kit is very nice. It is Salvatore Ferragamo-branded and has lots of fancy lotions and creams (I brought them all home for my wife).  In that location are no pajamas offered, but I brought a pair of old Qatar business course pjs with me to change in to.

We did information technology! One millionth mile captured on the IFE – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

Almost an hour northwest of Lima, Peru, AirlineReporter marked a milestone: surpassing 1,000,000 miles of flight to cover stories. As LAN'due south long-haul fleet does not accept WiFi connectivity (and although they plan to offer information technology someday, there are no brusk-term plans to practise so), I wasn't able to share the moment "live" with anybody.

BONUS:ÂMy Fav AvGeek Photo: LAN Airlines 787 Delivery Political party

That said, our founder and editor-in-primary, David Parker Chocolate-brown, had been tracking the flight and marked the moment on twitter – I'1000 sure it was bittersweet for him, given that I was the i flying!  I'm glad we hit the milestone in LAN's business class on a 787, versus bus on a regional jet.

Holy humidity, Batman! Welcome to Peru. Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

The Los Angeles to Santiago route is not a non-end flying, but rather a "direct" one, with a stop in Lima. Unlike when AirlineReporter traveled this road earlier, you do non have to get off the plane at LIM (in fact, you're not immune to get off). This was one of our major complaints the last time we flew the route, as deplaning in the middle of the night was hectic.

My merely complaint almost the time on the ground in Lima was that the IFE was non active – it was in sort of a boarding/"screen saver" way. On the flying down to Santiago, we were on the ground in Lima for over 2 hours, until about ii:00 AM local fourth dimension (we arrived early, and then waited by departure time for some connecting passengers). While 2 hours wasn't bad in business class (I slept), I can't imagine it was much fun in economic system.

BONUS: Taking a LAN 767 from Santiago to Lima to LAXÂ

The leg from Lima to Santiago was uneventful; given that information technology was the middle of the dark, most people chose to sleep.  One interesting notation, though: if you want LAN's signature drink (Pisco Sour), it only seems to exist catered ex-Lima.  I'd never had ane, so I fabricated the sacrifice of having a drinkable at ii:00 am.

Drinking a Pisco Sour while filling out my breakfast order – Photograph: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

For breakfast, I had been given a card to fill out during the dinner service.  I had the pick of no breakfast, an "express" option with simply cold items (to exist served about 45 minutes before landing), and a full hot breakfast.  While I chose the full breakfast on the way down, heading home I skipped everything in order to become more than sleep.  I liked that LAN gave me flexibility.

Riding the funicular upwards to Cerro San Cristóbal  – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

Nosotros arrived in to Santiago at about 7:00 am.  Clearing customs was easy, and I defenseless a cab in to the city; I had booked myself a mean solar day room at the Thou Hyatt in order to take hold of a nap and shower.

I have to say that the cab ride to the hotel may accept been the most terrifying one of my life, and I've traveled all over the earth.

Subsequently getting cleaned up at the hotel, I took the take a chance to meet just a few sites in Santiago.  I rode the funicular up to Cerro San Cristóbal, enjoying the amazing view point (despite the smog that day).  I also walked about a mall/market area and grabbed a local beer, which immune me to sit and people-lookout.

LAN's "Preferential Bank check-in" at SCL – dedicated security line (and hereafter lounge) to left – Photograph: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

Subsequently way too short of a visit, I headed back to the airport at vii:00 pm.  This gave me the chance to experience LATAM's new premier check-in area.  I knew the area existed (it is accessed through the very final gear up of curbside doors) merely I didn't encounter whatsoever signage directing folks in that location.  There was a line, so in the end I don't call back the bodily check-in functioned whatsoever quicker than the main terminal.  That said, the real bonus was dedicated individual security, which I breezed through.  Right after security, there was a structure wall over the new premium lounge that is supposed to open shortly.  I really hope to get to to check this area out over again once information technology is all open up, especially since the lounge I used felt very crowded and a trivial dated.

My return flights were pretty similar to the ride down, except I was in seat 1A so I got to savour the extra-big Dreamliner windows (well, all three of them next to my seat).  On the shorter leg from Santiago to Lima, I dined on another delicious meal and watched a movie.  In one case we landed in Lima for the layover, though, I threw in the earplugs, turned my seat in to a bed, and defenseless some sleep.  The flight attendant woke me up right before nosotros pushed for takeoff; once nosotros were airborne again, back to bed I went.

Amazing wing view from seat 1A over Baja California –  fancy 787 windows make photos tough though! – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

I woke on my own about an 60 minutes from Los Angeles.  The morning views were amazing – both of the landscape (Baja California and San Diego) and the amazing Dreamliner fly.  I could sit there all solar day and look at that wing.

Nosotros were soon on the ground at LAX, where I had to bid the LAN 787-8 Dreamliner adieu.  I got to use my new Global Entry access for the kickoff time, and it was 1 of those "why the hell didn't you do this sooner!?" moments.

Defenseless a view of my ride from the AAdmirals Club – Photo: Blaine Nickeson | AirlineReporter

Overall, I constitute LAN's Premium Business experience to be very competitive.  The crew was polished and friendly, food and IFE was splendid, and hopefully the few issues I noted with the seat will be rectified with the new production existence rolled out on the 787-ix — which LAN does not take a electric current timeline for when that new product will exist seen on the 787-8. I hope I get the chance in the future to experience that newest Dreamliner, forth with the new lounge at Santiago sometime soon.

Annotation: LAN Airlines provided the flights for this review, but the opinions are my own. I provided my own accommodations.

MANAGING EDITOR - DENVER, CO. Due to his family being split on opposite sides of the state, Blaine traveled frequently equally a child, falling in love with the flying experience, and has continued to travel always since. For AirlineReporter, Blaine edits all content earlier publishing, assists in story and concept development, and takes every gamble he gets to produce original content for the site. When Blaine’s not busy planning his next travel adventure, he spends his fourth dimension working as a higher administrator. Electronic mail: blaine@airlinereporter.com.

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Source: https://www.airlinereporter.com/2015/04/review-to-santiago-back-with-lans-787-premium-business-class/

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