Air New Zealand is set to lease two more Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for the carrier’s global routes following the news that delivery of the carrier’s newest 787 Dreamliners has been further pushed back by Boeing.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Greg Foran, said: “Boeing has now confirmed that the first of the new 787 Dreamliners is unlikely to arrive until at least mid-2025, which will delay delivery of our innovative new Skynest.

“The interior retrofit of our current 787 fleet remains on track.

“To mitigate these challenges, we introduced a dry lease 777-300ER in November 2023 and a second dry lease 777-300ER will enter the fleet mid-year and we are well advanced on negotiations for a third,” he said.

Air New Zealand has been flying a leased Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER that’s been immensely popular with travellers thanks to a First Class cabin that’s being sold as Business Premier Preferred for a small upgrade fee.