LATAM Airlines completed its inaugural long-haul flight with internet connectivity on a Boeing 787-9, marking the first such service by a South American carrier. According to Chilean aviation news site El Aéreo, the debut occurred on the Madrid (MAD) to São Paulo (GRU) route.
The airline has allocated $60 million to equip 60 widebody aircraft with satellite-based Wi-Fi from ViaSat between 2026 and 2028. This initiative complements the existing LATAM Play seatback inflight entertainment system and forms part of a broader widebody fleet upgrade, including redesigned business and economy cabins on Boeing 787s, new premium economy seating, refreshed menus, and amenity kits.
Initial rollout offers free real-time messaging. Future phases will add web browsing and work applications for LATAM Pass loyalty program members. Nearly the entire narrowbody fleet already features Wi-Fi as of March 2026, with over 8 million passengers using the service on short- and medium-haul routes like Santiago-Fortaleza and Lima-La Havane.
ViaSat’s Amara technology combines geostationary (GEO) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites for high-speed, low-latency connectivity, covering remote areas such as the Pacific South. Deployment targets key long-haul routes including Santiago-Sydney, Lima-Madrid, and São Paulo-London, positioning LATAM as a leader in regional passenger experience enhancements.