LATAM Premium Economy: Regional Flights, Premium Comfort and the Alternatives

• Economy-style seats with the middle seat blocked for more space and privacy.
• Preferential service, including complimentary snacks and drinks.
• Priority check-in, boarding and baggage delivery.
• A higher cabin-bag weight: LATAM publishes 16kg for an overhead bag in Premium Economy, against 12kg in Economy.
• Lounge access only on selected international flights, not on every domestic ticket.

It isn't the large recliner you might expect from long-haul Premium Economy. Think of it as a calmer, roomier version of Economy, especially for a couple wanting a window and aisle without a stranger between them.

For LATAM fares, Premium Business and South American connections, see our LATAM Airlines flights guide.

It depends on the flight length, the price difference and what the fare includes. On a short flight such as Lima to Cusco, we usually keep the money unless the price difference is small or the included benefits save you paying for extras.

On a longer flight, such as Santiago to Punta Arenas, the empty middle seat becomes more appealing. We compare the total fare, baggage and actual seating before deciding, and we wouldn't pay a large premium for the food alone.

LATAM announced in August 2025 that a new long-haul Premium Comfort cabin will launch on its Boeing 787 fleet in 2027. It is designed to sit between Economy and Premium Business, with wider seats, more recline, fewer passengers per row and 16-inch screens.

• An extra-legroom Economy seat, if legroom is the problem. Exit rows have eligibility requirements.
• Premium Business in one direction only, usually on the overnight flight.
• Nearby travel dates, where the better cabin may be more affordable.
• Another airline or a stopover, but only if it makes the journey easier overall.

Extra legroom can help, but it isn't the same as a separate Premium Economy cabin, and it won't solve seat width or the need to lie flat. The LATAM seat selection guide explains extra-legroom and exit-row seats.

If a bed is what you need, the LATAM Premium Business guide explains how to check which seat is scheduled on your flight.

Does LATAM have Premium Economy?

LATAM does have Premium Economy on regional flights, but don't confuse that with the new long-haul Premium Comfort cabin planned for 2027. We check what's actually being sold on your exact flight and date. We wouldn't book based on an announcement or assume every 787 will have it.

If your flight doesn't offer it, we compare an extra-legroom Economy seat, Premium Business, or another airline with a suitable premium cabin. Extra legroom can help, but it isn't the same as a separate Premium Economy cabin.

I can't justify Premium Business from Sydney to Santiago, but Economy is hard. What are my options?

We first ask what makes Economy difficult. If it's legroom, we look at an extra-legroom seat and check any exit-row requirements. If it's seat width or needing to lie flat, extra legroom won't solve that.

Then we compare nearby dates and Business in just one direction. Sometimes changing the travel day makes the better cabin more affordable, though we wouldn't promise a saving. We could also compare another airline or a stopover, but only if the extra travel makes the journey easier overall.

If Economy is still the best fit for your budget, we help choose a suitable seat, keep connections comfortable and leave recovery time after arrival. We wouldn't sell an extra-legroom seat as a substitute for a bed, or rely on an unconfirmed upgrade.

• Cabin actually sold on each flight confirmed, not assumed from an announcement
• Total price compared with Economy, including bags and seats
• Lounge access checked rather than assumed for domestic flights
• Extra-legroom and exit-row eligibility checked for long flights
• Premium Business in one direction compared where a bed matters
• Fare conditions understood for changes and refunds