Global Traveler Magazine Announced: LAN Airlines Selected the Best Central and South American Airline

MIAMI, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year in a row the prestigious magazine Global Traveler awarded LAN as the 'Best Airline in Central and South America.' The magazine surveyed more than 31,000 readers of the publication to select the best in class for luxury and business travel throughout 2008. This distinction is the direct result of the feedback received in the survey.

Global Traveler magazine introduced these awards five years ago. The honors reflect the opinions of frequent flyers from all over the world. For this annual survey, the magazine asked subscribers to evaluate the best in 55 categories related to Premium class travel.

"Once again I have the distinct pleasure of recognizing LAN as the Best airline in Central and South America. For years, LAN's commitment to service and quality has been the model and reference for all airlines in the Latin American region. Our readers recognize LAN as the most respected airline, an honor that is well-deserved," stated Francis X. Gallagher, Publisher and CEO of Global Traveler.

Armando Valdivieso, CEO Passenger of LAN Airlines stated, "It is an honor to receive this award for the third consecutive year. The fact that this award reflects the opinion of international business passengers, who have flown on our airline, makes this recognition even more momentous. Our clients have expressed their satisfaction with LAN's Premium Business class, a service that combines the best qualities of our recognized First and Business classes. We will always continue working to offer an excellent product coupled with the utmost in security standards while always remaining at the forefront of the global airline industry."

Recently, the company completed the renovations needed for the new Premium Business class aboard the fleet of Boeing 767s designed for long distance travel. With its Premium Business Class LAN offers passengers a full flat seating option when traveling to and from South America. Since the seats recline to 180 degrees, they are designed for a completely horizontal sleeping option. Additionally, panels have been placed between seats for greater privacy and tranquility. Everything has been designed to give business passengers what they value most on long distance flights: their rest.

LAN's Premium Business also offers an entertainment system that features the latest technology which places LAN among the worldwide airlines that offer the most and the best in terms of variety. The individual monitors are high resolution and have on-demand video and audio systems. Passengers may choose between 44 monthly movies, 95 channels of television series, and as of February, 550 music CDs and 14 video games. In addition, connections for computer chargers will be available, which are especially useful during business trips.

Since the implementation of LAN's Premium Business has already been completed aboard the company's fleet of Airbus 340s, during the first semester of 2009 LAN will offer this service class for all flights between Santiago, Chile and Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

About LAN

LAN Airlines is one of the leading passenger and cargo airlines in Latin America. The company and its affiliates serve more than 60 destinations around the world through an extensive network that offers full connectivity within Latin America while also linking the region with North America, Europe and the South Pacific, as well as 58 additional international destinations through its various code-share agreements. LAN Airlines and its affiliates have a leading position in their respective domestic markets of Chile and Peru as well as an important presence in the Argentinean domestic market.

Currently, LAN Airlines and its affiliates operate one of the most modern fleets in the world, with 81 passenger aircraft, and its cargo affiliate, LAN CARGO, operates 9 dedicated freighters. The company recently completed its short haul fleet renovation process by acquiring new aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, enabling LAN to improve its efficiency and to reduce significantly its CO2 emissions. The fleet renovation is part of the company's commitment to the protection of the environment.

LAN is one of the few Investment Grade airlines in the world (BBB). The company's world class quality standards enabled its membership in oneworld(TM), the global alliance that encompasses the best airlines in the world. For more information, please visit: LAN.com or www.oneworldalliance.com.