TAM Airlines is removing the first class cabin from its long-haul Boeing 777 fleet to make way for an enlarged and improved business class.
The move comes into effect from November 1 and will affect flights from the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Mexico and the US.
The decision was taken due to a lack of demand for its first class product, which was only introduced last year (see news, November 2012), the carrier said.
Going: TAM only installed its B777 first class product last year
Instead, the business seats will be, when reclined, 213 cms in length - 15 per cent bigger than the existing seats. The seats will be added to the fleet between late 2014 and mid-2015.
Jerome Cadier, chief marketing officer at LATAM Airlines Group, said: "We took the decision to remove our first class seats to enable us increase the number of business class seats and improve the service offered to passengers, after taking into consideration the average load factor of the first class.
"With this change, we will be able to offer an even better and more personalised service to more passengers."
Graham Smith
