Air New Zealand has announced that travelers can now book seats on its completely redesigned 787-9 Dreamliner. Starting May 7, passengers can reserve their spot on the aircraft that offers an entirely new onboard experience. The upgraded Dreamliner, with registration ZK-NZH, is currently undergoing final checks in Auckland and will begin its first commercial flight on May 19. The plane will initially fly between Auckland and Brisbane, followed by a long-haul journey from Auckland to San Francisco later the same day.
Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran described this project as a milestone for the airline, reflecting years of preparation and innovation. “This aircraft spent 184 days in Singapore being retrofitted, the result of several years of extensive research, innovation, and design by our team to deliver a world-class onboard experience,” he said.
A full upgrade from nose to tail
The aircraft is the first 787-9 Dreamliner to receive a complete nose-to-tail retrofit. It introduces new onboard products for the first time in more than 15 years. According to Foran, the redesign involved integrating customer feedback with modern design principles and uniquely New Zealand elements. “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. We’ve completely reimagined the experience of flying with Air New Zealand, incorporating elegant design elements, innovative Kiwi touches, and features informed by feedback from thousands of customers,” he added.
Foran also emphasized the national pride involved in the project. “As the national carrier, it’s an immense privilege to showcase the best of New Zealand, and this is woven into every detail of our cabin design – from the textures you touch to the spaces you relax in, every element is a nod to our home, Aotearoa,” he said.
The new cabin configuration is being rolled out across Air New Zealand’s entire fleet of 14 Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The second aircraft is already undergoing the same retrofit process in Singapore. The airline expects to complete retrofitting seven Dreamliners by the end of this year, with the full fleet completed by the end of 2026.
Routes and enhanced experience
Passengers will first experience the updated cabin on routes between Auckland and Brisbane, San Francisco, Rarotonga, and Vancouver. As more aircraft receive the retrofit, additional routes will be added. The redesigned cabin includes new seating across all travel classes and updated digital entertainment systems throughout the aircraft.
The premium cabins offer added privacy and functionality. Business Premier seats now have a new layout for better space and privacy, sliding screens, wireless charging, and a 24-inch entertainment screen. Seats in the middle include a sliding divider, while the full lie-flat feature comes with a headrest lift suited for reading or watching movies.
Business Premier Luxe, located in the front row of the Business Premier section, offers four exclusive seats. These seats can be reserved through a paid seat selection when purchasing a Business Premier ticket. The Luxe seats include a closing door, a larger sleeping area, and space to dine for two.
Premium Economy has also been redesigned to offer fixed shell seats that prevent seat recline from affecting other passengers. The seats feature extra storage, privacy-enhancing side wings, and convenient access to essentials.
Economy class also introduces updated features such as 50% larger entertainment screens, snack trays, and Economy Stretch seats designed to give more legroom. Additional stowage solutions include a compact snack table and an elastic strap to hold documents or a passport.
Technology and inflight entertainment upgrades
Every cabin features new digital upgrades to improve the passenger experience. Screens offer 4K HD resolution and Bluetooth pairing. Travelers can use their smartphones as remotes, create playlists, check their flight status, and watch multiple programs simultaneously with Picture-in-Picture functionality.
With these upgrades, Air New Zealand begins a new chapter focused on improved comfort, customer feedback, and modern design. The airline expects more travelers to experience the updated Dreamliner as more aircraft complete the retrofit process and enter regular service.
