Air New Zealand Modernizes Its Boeing 787-9 Fleet: New Cabins and Seats
Air New Zealand is marking a milestone in its history with the unveiling of its refurbished Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner cabin—a transformation that blends innovation, design, and the pride of showcasing the best of Aotearoa to the world. Starting Wednesday, May 7, passengers can book seats for this completely redesigned travel experience, the airline’s first comprehensive cabin update in over 15 years.
First Flight and Fleet Rollout
The first refurbished 787-9 Dreamliner, registration ZK-NZH, is currently in Auckland completing final tests before its maiden flight to Brisbane on Monday, May 19. That same evening, it will operate its first long-haul service to San Francisco.
According to Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran, this launch represents “an incredibly special moment to present the future of flying with Air New Zealand.” The transformation process took 184 days in Singapore, the result of years of research, design, and development by the airline’s team.
This marks the world’s first full refurbishment of a 787-9 Dreamliner. The airline plans to upgrade all 14 aircraft of this model in its fleet by the end of 2026. The second aircraft is already undergoing refurbishment in Singapore, with seven expected to be completed by year-end.
Initial Routes and Future Expansion
Flights featuring this new onboard experience will debut on key routes: Auckland–Brisbane, Auckland–San Francisco, Rarotonga, and Vancouver. As more refurbished aircraft join the fleet, additional international routes will be added.
A Comprehensive Redesign Across All Cabins
Business Premier
The Business Premier seats have been completely reconfigured to offer more space and privacy. Features include:
- 24-inch entertainment screens
- Wireless charging
- privacy screens
- Full lie-flat beds with intelligent lift headrests
- Central seats with a sliding divider, ideal for couples or travel companions
Business Premier Luxe
This exclusive category introduces four special seats in the front row of the Business Premier cabin. Available as an add-on to Business Premier bookings, they offer:
- Full closing doors
- A wider bed
- Extra space for two people to dine together
Premium Economy
The Premium Economy redesign prioritizes comfort and personal space control:
- Fixed outer shells to prevent reclining from affecting other passengers
- Side wings for added privacy
- Practical and accessible storage spaces
Economy and Economy Stretch
Even in Economy, the experience feels premium. New features include:
- Entertainment screens 50% larger
- Small snack or device tables
- Elastic document holders
- Economy Stretch option for extra legroom
Cutting-Edge Technology and Entertainment
Digital innovation is a cornerstone of the new design. All seats feature:
- 4K HD screens with Bluetooth pairing
- Mobile phone control
- Picture-in-Picture function for multitasking
- The ability to create personalized playlists or track the flight’s route in real time
From Business Premier Luxe to Economy, every detail has been crafted to deliver an elevated, tech-savvy experience with the distinctive touch of New Zealand.
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