Aerolíneas Argentinas to remove business class seats from cabotage, short haul services

25 April, 2018

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".