Air New Zealand on May 19 will launch its first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, the carrier announced Monday.
The airliners' Business Premiere cabin will offer 22 seats in a new configuration with a sliding privacy screen, additional storage, a wireless charging pad, a 24-inch screen, middle seats with a sliding door for seat sharing, and continuous recline from seat to bed mode.
The aircraft also will offer what it calls the new Business Premier Luxe seats, which are the first four seats in the Business Premier cabin, which offer an ottoman doubling as a guest seat, a larger bed with unrestricted space at the end, room for two to dine with an extra-large tray table and a fully closing door.
Premium Economy includes 33 seats with a fixed outer shell, side wings including a reading light, additional storage space, an adjustable leg rest and foot support, a 15.6-inch screen and seat pitch at 41 inches.
The Economy cabin will have 213 seats including 13 Economy Skycouch seats with a 13.3-inch screen, new storage options and seat pitch at 31 inches. The cabin also will feature Economy Stretch (on long-haul flights) or Legroom (on short-haul flights) with 35-inch pitch.
Air New Zealand expects seven aircraft to be retrofitted by the end of 2025, with the remaining seven completed by the end of 2026. Aircraft with the new cabin changes will fly predominantly between Auckland and Brisbane, San Francisco, Rarotonga and Vancouver, with more routes to follow as retrofits continue, according to Air New Zealand.