AIR NEW ZEALAND: First new Boeing 787 cabins debut in February 2025

Air New Zealand will debut its Boeing 787-9 aircraft equipped with newly designed cabin interiors in February 2025. The airline has ambitious plans to retrofit seven 787-9s by the end of 2025, with the entire project due to be completed by the end of 2026.

According to an article in Flight Global, Air New Zealand’s CEO, Greg Foran, announced that the first retrofitted 787 in the fleet is scheduled to commence operations by mid-February 2025. The aircraft is currently undergoing retrofit works in Singapore, the first of 14 Air New Zealand 787s to be upgraded.

Aircraft and Routes

In October 2024, they inducted the initial aircraft, a 9-year-old 787-9 powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, for refurbishment. Once they retrofit the aircraft, they will likely schedule it on routes servicing Auckland to Vancouver and to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Cabin Configuration

The revamped 787s will feature seating for 272 passengers across four classes:

• Economy
• Premium Economy
• Business
• Business Premier Luxe class — to offer a suite-like experience

This configuration reduces the current passenger capacity, which ranges from 275 seats in their V2 cabins to 302 in V1. The new layout will increase seating for business and premium economy classes. Air New Zealand has engaged ZIM Aircraft Seating for economy and premium economy seats, while Safran will supply business class seats.

This cabin upgrade is part of a broader NZ$3.5 billion investment strategy announced by Air New Zealand in 2023. This investment covers fleet enhancements, interior upgrades, and marketing initiatives.

Only the start – more on new interiors

In addition to retrofitting existing 787-9s, Air New Zealand plans to introduce new interiors on eight upcoming 787s powered by GE Aerospace GEnx engines. Some of these new aircraft will have a lower seat density of just 219 seats, focusing on premium class seating. These jets, designed for ultra-long-haul flights to destinations such as New York, will include the innovative SkyNest in-flight bunk bed concept.

Future developments for the Boeing 777-300ER fleet

Air New Zealand operates 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, including three leased from Cathay Pacific. The CEO, Greg Foran, hinted at updates to the business class cabins on these aircraft, as the airline plans to keep them in service longer than
initially expected.

”[If] we’re going to keep these planes for a bit longer, we think – particularly for those business class customers – giving them a better seat, a little bit more privacy…would be a good solution. So that’s something we’re working through now.”

Greg Foran, CEO Air New Zealand

The airline plans to retire the 777 fleet between 2031 and 2032.. In line with other international airline trends, expect enhanced privacy and comfort for business class passengers.

2PAXfly Takeout

Good to see these cabin refurbishments. Once a leader in innovative cabins, Air New Zealand has been languishing behind, especially with its dated herringbone Business product. These refurbishments will bring it back into international competition for comfort across cabin classes.