The original plan was for the 787-9 to be delivered first. They were to come to the Holding in 2011 to replace the A340´s as OW said. The 787-8´s would come two years later. Since all was pushed back for two years due to the delay, this would be now 2013 and 2015 respectively.
When the opportunity for the swap for ANA came up, the only aircraft available were the 787-8, so the whole original plan has changed.
I´m sure that these will not be the only two early delivered aircraft.
Around here, we heard that they will be flying in LP much sooner than anyone expects, due to the fact that the LIM-MAD flight needs more efficiency. Yes, it is surprising that they will send them to the subsidiaries so soon, but believe me, it will be much sooner than expected.
The first airplanes will have less range than later ones, but in the routes that Lan plans to use them, this will not be a problem.
The first one (No. 10) is awaiting the side-body modification and is currently painted all white...
Exciting stuff!
Saludos,
SEQU