Aerolíneas Argentinas CEO Mario Dell'Acqua stated the carrier plans to remove the business seat section on cabotage and regional services, which is expected to add 500 extra seats (Aviacionaldia/La Nacion, 24-Apr-2018). He noted the removal of the cabin is equivalent to buying three aircraft, and is expected to cost USD15 million. The change in configuration is expected to commence on Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The Embraer fleet will undergo replacement, with replacement aircraft to also have a configuration of 186 to 189 seats, Mr Dell'Acqua stated. The five 737 MAX aircraft will still offer a business class, as they will operate on longhaul services for which there is a "willing audience". Mr Dell'Acqua said short haul business class is underutilised, with only 30% of seats sold and the rest "used by company personnel or politicians".
Aerolíneas Argentinas to remove business class seats from cabotage, short haul services
25 April, 2018