Air New Zealand New Aircraft And Cabin Experience

Air New Zealand is preparing to usher in a new era of long-haul travel with the debut of a fully reimagined cabin experience aboard its 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. The first of fourteen updated aircraft, ZK-NZH, took flight on 19 May 2025. This marked the global launch of a comprehensive first of its kind, nose-to-tail refurbishment.

This refreshed onboard offering, which will also feature on eight brand-new Dreamliners arriving from mid-2026, introduces a range of innovations designed to elevate the passenger experience. Two of these incoming aircraft will showcase the award-winning Skynest, providing lie-flat rest options for Economy travellers.

For the first time on a Dreamliner, customers will enjoy the option of Business Premier Luxe™, as well as Economy Stretch, offering extra comfort and personal space. All cabins, including Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Premier™, have been thoughtfully redesigned with a focus on comfort, modern design, and enhanced passenger experience.

The retrofit program will continue across the airline’s existing fleet of fourteen 787 aircraft, with completion expected between 2025 and 2026. During this transition, frequent flyers may encounter a mix of cabin interiors as the new experience is progressively rolled out. However, Air New Zealand’s signature service, award-winning food, and Kiwi hospitality remain consistent across every journey.

The new aircraft cabin configuration will be available for sale in GDS from 7 May 2025 at 5pm, for travel beginning 19 May 2025 on select routes. Aircraft fitted with the updated interiors will be marked with the GDS equipment code 789, while classic configurations will continue to use the 787 code.

Customers with existing bookings on retrofitted aircraft will be automatically reassigned to a like-for-like seat, with system codes updated accordingly. The Business Premier Luxe™ seat will also be made available as an ancillary booking option via GDS.