Air New Zealand’s first retrofitted Dreamliner arrives home
April 18, 2025
Air New Zealand’s first fully retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has returned to Auckland after spending 184 days in Singapore receiving a complete cabin upgrade.
The aircraft, registered ZK-NZH, is the first in the airline’s fleet to undergo the nose-to-tail transformation, as part of the airline’s long-term cabin overhaul programme.
The retrofit introduces brand-new interiors across all classes, including the debut of the Business Premier Luxe seat, redesigned Business Premier, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins, along with updated features like new carpets, curtains, inflight entertainment, and a revamped lavatory design.
The Economy cabin also includes the popular Sky Pantry and 13 Economy Skycouch seats.
The new layout will reduce the aircraft’s total seat count to 272, compared with the previous configurations of 302 or 275 seats.
Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy O’Brien called the aircraft’s arrival a milestone in Air New Zealand’s 85-year history. “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,” he said.
Final ground testing and crew trials will take place in Auckland before the aircraft enters service in mid-May.
“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,” he said.
The second 787-9 is already in Singapore for retrofit work, with seven aircraft expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The full fleet of 14 is due to be updated by the end of 2026.
