Following 18 months of research and 2,500 hours of customer testing, Air New Zealand’s very first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has touched down in Auckland.

The aircraft spent 184 days in Singapore receiving the ultimate cabin glow-up as it was retrofitted with all-new cabin interiors, including the new Business Premier Luxe seat, and redesigned Business Premier, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer, Jeremy O’Brien, said the aircraft’s arrival is an exciting moment in the airline’s 85-year history.

“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,” he said.

“We’re so proud to deliver this new experience for those who fly with us around the world.

“Now the aircraft is back on home soil, it will undergo final preparations including testing of its new inflight entertainment system, and a full crew ground trial to rehearse onboard service before welcoming customers on board for the first time in mid-May.”

The second 787-9 to be retrofitted with the new interiors is already in Singapore, undergoing work, with a total of seven aircraft expected to be completed by the end of the year.

All 14 Boeing 787-9s will be updated to the new cabin layout by the end of 2026.

The scope of the retrofit included new seats in every cabin, including the new Business Premier Luxe seats in the Business Premier cabin; new carpet throughout the aircraft; new curtains between cabins and galleys; new wallpaper, hands-free waste disposal, and amenity holders in the lavatories; new inflight entertainment screens and system; and a new Sky Pantry installed in the Economy cabin.