Air New Zealand’s first Dreamliner with new cabin retrofit nears completion
Long-awaited improvements to Air New Zealand Dreamliner cabins finally are underway. The major refresh of the airline’s Boeing 787-9 fleet has begun, with the first of 14 787-9 jets beginning the retrofitting process in Singapore.
An Air New Zealand 787 Dreamliner | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren
The first aircraft, registered as ZK-NZH will soon return to Auckland Airport after receiving the new “world-first“ cabin refit. Once in Auckland, the aircraft will receive various checks and training before returning to service in early 2025. The airline will eventually send all 14 787-9 Dreamliners to Singapore to be retrofitted, one at a time over the next two years in order to minimise disruption to schedules.
The layout on all 14 aircraft will be reconfigured to have 272 seats with four Business Premier Luxe seats in the front row of the aircraft, 22 Business Premier seats, 33 Premium Economy seats and 213 Economy seats - with 13 Economy Skycouch seats.
In 2014, Air New Zealand was the launch customer for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, so the airline’s general manager of strategy, networks and fleet, Baden Smith, believes it is fitting that it is the first airline to retrofit a 787 from nose to tail.
The renovation will involve replacing everything inside the aircraft cabin, including the carpet, curtains, wallpapers, seats and everything in between.
Air New Zealand’s new Business Premier, and Business Premier Luxe seats | Photo: Air NZ
The airline's new premium offering is about ultimate privacy, extreme comfort, and a great night's sleep in the air. Business Premier (BP) seats have been updated from leather to sleek fabric, and the layout has been tweaked slightly to increase privacy. The layout for these seats has been changed from 1-1-1 to 1-2-1 across the Business cabin, allowing travel companions to sit together in the middle seats with the option to open up the pod dividers.
The new BP Luxe suites are inspired by a tūī’s nest, with fully closing doors, plenty of storage, and plenty of options to charge your devices, including a wireless charger. The seats will have enough room for a travel companion to join you in the pod, sitting opposite each other with a table to dine together.
“A comfortable and private nest for a blissful journey and tranquil sleep. And if travelling with a companion, the middle row allows customers to open their nest and share their experience.”
Air New Zealand will also upgrade their Economy Class seating | Photo: Air NZ
Even economy will receive a large upgrade with brand new seats and a new ‘Sky Pantry‘, a free snack station will be installed in the economy cabin where passengers can grab a quick snack and stretch their legs during the flight.
The airline said rolling out the retrofit programme before getting their next set of new aircraft also puts Air NZ in a good place to continue delivering an exception flying experience.