Air New Zealand has unveiled its first fully refurbished Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registration ZK-NZH, with seats available for booking from May 7, 2025.
The aircraft is currently in Auckland, undergoing final testing before its maiden flight from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Brisbane Airport (BNE) on May 19, 2025. Following this trans-Tasman test flight, the aircraft is scheduled to begin its first long-haul flight from Auckland to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran emphasized that the aircraft is the result of years of intensive research and development by the airline’s team to deliver a “first-class” onboard travel experience. The conversion in Singapore took 194 days. The airline’s second Boeing 787-9 is also in Singapore for modernization. Air New Zealand plans to have a total of seven aircraft equipped with the new cabin interior by the end of 2025. By the end of 2026, all 14 Boeing 787-9 aircraft in the fleet are expected to receive the new cabin configuration. Foran emphasized that this is the first complete nose-to-tail modernization of a 787-9 Dreamliner and marks the introduction of the first new in-flight product in over 15 years.
The modernized Dreamliners will primarily operate on routes between Auckland and Brisbane, San Francisco, Rarotonga International Airport (RAR), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Additional routes will be announced as the modernization program progresses. The updated cabin of the Air New Zealand B787-9 offers significant improvements in all classes.
New design for Business Premier and Economy Class
Business Premier features a new angle and layout offering more privacy and space. Features include sliding dividers, wireless charging, and a 24-inch in-flight entertainment screen. The middle seats feature a sliding divider, ideal for couples traveling together. All seats convert into a fully lie-flat bed and feature intelligent headrest adjustment. A new addition is the “Business Premier Luxe” option, featuring four exclusive seats in the front row of the Business Premier cabin, featuring a fully closing door, a larger bed, and additional space allowing two people to dine together.
In Premium Economy, all seats feature a rigid outer shell, so the seat’s tilt doesn’t affect the passenger behind it. Wings on the sides of the seats provide additional privacy, and there’s more storage space.
Economy Class offers improved storage options, including a small folding table for snacks or your phone, as well as 50 percent larger in-flight entertainment screens and snack trays. The “Economy Stretch” option also offers more legroom. The modernization also includes the lavatories, which have a new design and touch-free waste bins. Furthermore, the in-flight entertainment system has been completely redesigned and now features the latest technology.