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Air New Zealand has received the first of its retrofitted 787-9 Dreamliners after a six-month stay in Singapore.
ZK-NZH was the first 787-9 Dreamliner in the world to undergo a full nose-to-tail refit, said Air New Zealand, with an entirely new cabin interior installed, including redesigned economy and premium economy seats and an updated business cabin with the new Business Premier Luxe product.
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“Seeing the first of our 14 Dreamliners to undergo this transformation arrive home is a huge moment for our people, our customers, and the future of Air New Zealand. We’re so proud to deliver this new experience for those who fly with us around the world,” Jeremy O’Brien, chief commercial officer for the airline, said.
“Now the aircraft is back on home soil, it will undergo final preparations including testing of its new inflight entertainment system, and a full crew ground trial to rehearse onboard service before welcoming customers on board for the first time in mid-May.”
The retrofits, which will be performed on all 14 of Air New Zealand’s existing 787-9s, will not add the new Skynest economy sleeping pods; these will instead feature on its eight new Dreamliners expected to arrive from this year. The airline was the launch customer for the 787-9 in 2014.
According to Air New Zealand, all 14 Dreamliners are expected to complete their retrofits by the end of 2026.
“The second 787-9 to be retrofitted with the new interiors is already in Singapore, undergoing work, with a total of seven aircraft expected to be completed by the end of the year,” the airline said.
Skynest was intended to launch in September last year on flights from Auckland to Chicago. Available for NZ$400-$600, the bunk bed-style pods, located between the economy and premium economy cabins, will be limited to one session per passenger, though families on the same ticket can book separate sessions for each person pending availability.
Jetstar is also looking to refit its fleet of 787-8 Dreamliners starting this year, including a new exterior livery and new seats in the economy and business class cabins. Chief executive Stephanie Tully last year hinted that the overhaul could unlock destinations as far afield as Las Vegas and Cape Town.
