Air New Zealand’s first retrofitted Dreamliner touches down

Air New Zealand’s very first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has officially touched down in Auckland. The aircraft spent 184 days in Singapore receiving all-new cabin interiors, including the new Business Premier Luxe seat, and redesigned Business Premier, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. The aircraft, ZK-NZH, is the first in the airline’s 787–9 fleet to undergo this world-first, full nose-to-tail retrofit. (IMAGE: Air New Zealand Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy O’Brien says the aircraft’s arrival is an exciting moment in the airline’s 85-year history. “Seeing the first of our 14 Dreamliners to undergo this transformation arrive home is a huge moment for our people, our customers, and the future of Air New Zealand. We’re so proud to deliver this new experience for those who fly with us around the world. Now the aircraft is back on home soil, it will undergo final preparations including testing of its new inflight entertainment system, and a full crew ground trial to rehearse onboard service before welcoming customers on board for the first time in mid-May.” The second 787-9 to be retrofitted with the new interiors is already in Singapore, undergoing work, with a total of seven aircraft expected to be completed by the end of the year. All 14 Boeing 787-9s will be updated to the new cabin layout by the end of 2026. The scope of the retrofit includes: New seats in every cabin, including the new Business Premier Luxe™ seats in the Business Premier cabin New carpet throughout the aircraft New curtains between cabins and galleys New wallpaper, hands-free waste disposal, and amenity holders in the lavatories New inflight entertainment screens and system Sky Pantry installed in the Economy cabin The aircraft LOPA (Layout of Passenger Accommodation) on all 14 aircraft will be reconfigured to have 272 seats; featuring four Business Premier Luxe seats, 22 Business Premier seats, 33 Premium Economy seats, and 213 Economy seats, including 13 Economy Skycouch. Currently, the airline’s 787-9 aircraft have two different LOPA or configurations; nine aircraft with 302 seats, and five aircraft with 275 seats. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]