Air New Zealand unveils fully redesigned Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Air New Zealand unveiled its newly retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which will be ready for booking starting May 7, 2025.

The aircraft, with registration ZK-NZH, is currently in Auckland undergoing final testing before it takes off for the very first time on May 19, 2025, on a flight from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Brisbane Airport (BNE). 

Once it completes its Trans-Tasman test flight, it is scheduled to fly its first long-haul service from AKL Airport to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran shared that the aircraft is a result of several years of extensive research, designed by the Air NZ team to deliver a “world-class” onboard experience, and that it had spent 194 days in Singapore for the retrofit process. 

The airline’s second 787-9 is also in Singapore undergoing its retrofit. Air New Zealand said that by the end of 2025, it will have a total of seven aircraft that will have completed their retrofit. All 14 Boeing 787-9s in its fleet will be updated to the new cabin layout by the end of 2026.

“This is the first ever full nose-to-tail retrofit of a 787-9 Dreamliner and marks the introduction of our first new onboard product in over 15 years,” Foran said.

The redesigned Dreamliners will fly predominantly between Auckland and Brisbane, San Francisco, Rarotonga International Airport (RAR), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). More routes will be announced as the retrofit progresses. 

The retrofitted Air New Zealand B787-9 include the following features:

Business Premier

New angle and layout with additional privacy and space

Sliding privacy screens, wireless charging, and a 24″ inflight entertainment screen

Middle seats with a sliding divider

Full lie-flat recline with a clever headrest lift 
Business Premier Luxe

These are four all-new seats in the front row of the Business Premier cabin. Passengers can book this as a paid seat select product when purchasing a Business Premier seat.

Has all Business Premier cabin features along with: Full closing door, a larger bed, and additional space with room for two to dine
Premium Economy

All seats have a fixed outer shell, so seat recline doesn’t impact the passenger behind

Side wings on the seat for extra privacy

More storage space 
Economy

Stowage options such as a small tray table for snacks, phone, or documents 

50% bigger inflight entertainment screens

snack trays

Economy Stretch option for extra leg space

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