Air New Zealand’s First Retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Touches Down in Auckland

Last week, on 17 April 2025, Air New Zealand celebrated a monumental milestone as its first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, ZK-NZH, arrived in Auckland after undergoing an extensive transformation in Singapore. This marks the beginning of a groundbreaking journey to redefine the onboard experience for Air New Zealand’s passengers.

After 18 months of research, 2,500 hours of customer testing, and 184 days in Singapore, the aircraft has been completely revamped with all-new cabin interiors. From the Business Premier Luxe seat to redesigned Business Premier, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins, this full nose-to-tail retrofit brings an exceptional level of comfort and innovation to the skies.

Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy O’Brien called this moment a significant event in the airline’s 85-year history, saying:
“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.”

The newly retrofitted Dreamliner will undergo final preparations in Auckland, including inflight entertainment system testing and a full ground trial of onboard service by the crew. Customers can look forward to experiencing this revamped aircraft in action by mid-May.

The retrofit program is in full swing, with the second Boeing 787-9 already in Singapore undergoing upgrades. By the end of 2025, seven Dreamliners will feature the new interiors, and by 2026, all 14 aircraft in the fleet will be transformed, ensuring Air New Zealand remains at the forefront of customer experience innovation.

This milestone signifies not just an upgrade in comfort but a bold step towards redefining air travel for the modern passenger. With its first retrofitted Dreamliner now home, Air New Zealand is ready to deliver an unparalleled onboard experience to the skies.

Stay tuned as the airline continues to roll out these exciting enhancements across its fleet! ✈️✨