LATAM becomes first South American carrier to roll out Wi-Fi on long-haul routes

LATAM Airlines has completed its first long-haul flight equipped with internet connectivity. 

The new service was introduced on a Boeing 787-9, although LATAM Airlines has not shared details of the specific flight on which it became available. According to Chilean aviation news site El Aéreo, this happened on a flight between Madrid (MAD), Spain, and Sao Paulo (GRU), Brazil. The new service will complement the airline’s existing seatback inflight entertainment (IFE) platform, called LATAM Play. 

LATAM Airlines has earmarked around $60 million to fit its 60 long-haul aircraft with satellite-based connectivity between 2026 and 2028. The service will be provided by satellite operator ViaSat.  

This project is part of a larger initiative to revamp and upgrade service standards across the entire widebody fleet. This has included the redesign of the business and economy class cabins on the B787 fleet, as well as the introduction of a new premium economy class and a refresh of other service elements, such as menus and amenity kits. 

In the first stage, passengers will be able to use real-time messaging services for free. At a later stage it will roll out more functionalities, including web browsing and access to work-related applications, which will be available to members of the LATAM Pass loyalty program. 

This roll-out represents a milestone not just for LATAM Airlines, but for the whole Latin American airline industry, since this is the first time such service is offered by a carrier based in South America.  

However, LATAM Airlines is not new to offering inflight Wi-Fi. As of March 2026, almost the entire narrowbody fleet operated by the Latin American carrier has been fitted with inflight connectivity. 

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