Air New Zealand has completed a significant milestone with the arrival of its first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft, known as ZK-NZH, spent 184 days in Singapore receiving a complete cabin makeover. This upgrade includes new cabin interiors, featuring the Business Premier Luxe seat, and redesigned Business Premier, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.
Jeremy O’Brien, Air New Zealand’s Chief Commercial Officer, expressed the significance of this development for the airline. “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.”
With its return to New Zealand, ZK-NZH will undergo final preparations, which include testing a new inflight entertainment system and conducting a full crew ground trial to practice onboard service. This preparation will allow the aircraft to welcome customers on board for the first time in mid-May.
Meanwhile, the second Boeing 787-9 is already in Singapore undergoing similar retrofitting work. The airline plans to complete the retrofitting of a total of seven aircraft by the year’s end and aims to have all 14 Boeing 787-9s updated with the new cabin layout by the end of 2026.
