Dreamliner of Air New Zealand Makes Maiden Flight Post-Upgrade
May 22, 2025
2-minute read
Air New Zealand Introduces Refurbished Dreamliner on Commercial Routes
After seven years of preparation, Air New Zealand's first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner officially commenced commercial service on May 19th. The aircraft, registered ZK-NZH, made its inaugural passenger flight from Auckland to Brisbane around 9:30 a.m., followed by a return trip to Auckland and onward to San Francisco later in the day.
This next-generation onboard experience marks the beginning of the aircraft's regular schedule on the Auckland-Brisbane, Auckland-San Francisco, and Auckland-Vancouver routes. Despite final adjustments being made just a day before the launch, the retrofit project cost $35 million and took 184 days to complete. Air New Zealand plans to modify six more Dreamliners by the end of this year and the remaining seven in Singapore in 2026.
The revamped aircraft boasts brand-new interiors, including state-of-the-art seating options in every cabin. The Business Premier Luxe seat boasts luxurious comfort, while the Business Premier, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins have all been refreshed for added passenger convenience.
An aircraft retrofit refers to the process of upgrading an existing aircraft's interior—essentially, giving it a makeover. For the Air New Zealand Dreamliner retrofit, the scope of work covered:
- New seats in each cabin, such as the Business Premier LuxeTM 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
- The installation of Sky Pantry in the Economy cabin
Eventually, all 14 retrofitted aircraft will be reconfigured to accommodate 272 seats. This new layout will feature:
- Four Business Premier Luxe seats
- 22 Business Premier seats
- 33 Premium Economy seats
- 213 Economy seats, including 13 Economy SkycouchTM
Air New Zealand's retrofitted Dreamliner represents a significant stride forward in enhancing the in-flight experience for its passengers. The airline's ongoing efforts underscore its commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and passenger satisfaction in the airline industry.
Air New Zealand Introduces Refurbished Dreamliner on Commercial Routes
After seven years of preparation, Air New Zealand's first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner officially commenced commercial service on May 19th.
This next-generation onboard experience marks the beginning of the aircraft's regular schedule on the Auckland-Brisbane, Auckland-San Francisco, and Auckland-Vancouver routes. Despite final adjustments being made just a day before the launch, the retrofit project cost $35 million and took 184 days to complete. Air New Zealand plans to modify six more Dreamliners by the end of this year and the remaining seven in Singapore in 2026.
The revamped aircraft boasts brand-new interiors, including state-of-the-art seating options in every cabin. The Business Premier Luxe seat boasts luxurious comfort, while the Business Premier, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins have all been refreshed for added passenger convenience.
An aircraft retrofit refers to the process of upgrading an existing aircraft's interior—essentially, giving it a makeover. For the Air New Zealand Dreamliner retrofit, the scope of work covered:
- New seats in each cabin, such as the Business Premier LuxeTM 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
- The installation of Sky Pantry in the Economy cabin
Eventually, all 14 retrofitted aircraft will be reconfigured to accommodate 272 seats. This new layout will feature:
- Four Business Premier Luxe seats
- 22 Business Premier seats
- 33 Premium Economy seats
- 213 Economy seats, including 13 Economy SkycouchTM
Air New Zealand's retrofitted Dreamliner represents a significant stride forward in enhancing the in-flight experience for its passengers. The airline's ongoing efforts underscore its commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and passenger satisfaction in the airline industry.
The $35 million retrofit project on Air New Zealand's Dreamliner falls under the transportation and aviation industry, highlighting the financing involved.
The completed Dreamliner, now boasting refurbished interiors and new seating options, is set to improve the onboard experience for Air New Zealand passengers within the airline news landscape.
