Air New Zealand has begun modernizing its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, with the first of its 14 aircraft having already landed at Singapore’s Changi Airport for refurbishment with new cabin interiors. The existing aircraft will be fitted with the new upgraded Economy and Premium Economy seats, the redesigned Business Premier cabin, and the new Business Premier Luxe product will also be introduced.
In the face of unfavorable reviews of its Business Class, the airline has been working on an innovative product to compete with its rivals. The cabin upgrade will not include the installation of its Sky Nest bunk beds which will be fitted to new aircraft.
The upgrade program involves the removal of all old interiors, including seats, the in-flight entertainment system, carpet, curtains, and lavatory wallpaper, before a full refurbishment. Following the cabin refurbishment process, the aircraft will return to New Zealand where it will undergo several checks before entering commercial service.
Over two years, Air New Zealand’s 14 Boeing 787-9 aircraft will have their cabins refurbished one at a time on a rolling schedule. The airline is also facing a delay of the delivery of eight Dreamliners, first due to the COVID-19 health crisis and now due to issues with Boeing.
Over the next two years, the airline’s 14 787-9 aircraft will be modernized one at a time on a rolling schedule. The configuration of the refurbished Dreamliners will be four Business Premier Luxe seats, 22 Business Premier seats, 33 Premium Economy seats, and 213 Economy seats, including 13 Economy Skycouch seats. Air New Zealand currently has two layouts on its 787s: nine aircraft with 302 seats and five aircraft with 275 seats.
