Boeing reveals first 787-9 in Air New Zealand livery
By David Flynn Filed under:- PUBLISHED 6 APR, 2014
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Boeing's first 787-9 for Air New Zealand has broken cover, clad in stunning 'all black' livery as befits the flagship of the Kiwi carrier's Dreamliner fleet.
Most of its nine siblings will carry the more standard white-and-black treatment seen below.
The clock is now ticking on final flight tests ahead of the 787-9s handover to worldwide launch customer Air New Zealand in July.
Air NZ will roster the advanced passenger jet onto its Auckland-Perth route commencing October 15.
Flights between Auckland and Shanghai, as well as Auckland-Tokyo and Christchurch-Tokyo, will follow after the airline's second and third 787-9s are delivered in September and October.
However, the airline's first 787-9 will also appear on trans-Tasman flights from Auckland to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane prior to its official Auckland-Perth inaugural.
Read: Air New Zealand gears up for Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s debut
The Boeing 787-9 is a 'stretched' version of the original 787-8 Dreamliner designed to carry more passengers over longer distances.
Air New Zealand played host to Boeing's 787-9 test aircraft in January this year as the next-gen jetliner underwent extensive testing, including a week spent basking (or should that be baking?) and then flying under the Australian outback's sizzling summer sun.
If you're curious about what the inside of these special test aircraft looks like, check out the exclusive Australian Business Traveller gallery of Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner ZB002.
Photos: Inside Boeing's 787-9 test aircraft
Inside Air New Zealand's Boeing 787-9
Each of Air New Zealand's Boeing 787-9s will see a three-class configuration of 18 seats in business class, 21 in premium economy and 263 in economy.
We've put together this quick video clip to showcase the seats.
The pointy end of Air NZ's Boeing 787-9 will see 18 of the familiar Business Premier seats already seen on the airline's flagship Boeing 777s.
The lie-flat business class seats are arranged in a 1-1-1 herringbone layout so that every passenger has direct aisle access.
The seat is fitted with a 'memory foam' mattress, duvet and two full size pillows.
Less familiar are the Premium Economy seats, with Air NZ choosing a more standard 'off the shelf' design instead of its Spaceseat (show below).
The 787-9's premium economy seats have been sourced from US seat designer Zodiac, with Air New Zealand calling them "a customised seat best described as Business-lite."
Arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, the seats have a 41” pitch and 5” wide armrest, with a generous 9" recline, integrated leg rest and extendable foot support.
There are 21 premium economy seats in this stand-alone cabin, which also has its own dedicated bathroom facilities.
Read: Air New Zealand “remains committed” to premium economy Spaceseat
The bulk of Air New Zealand's Boeing 787-9 is given over to two economy cabins with all seating in a 3-3-3 layout.
This includes 14 Skycouch rows of three seats where the legrests and armrests flip all the way up to convert into a 'sofa-like' flat surface.
The Skycouch rows have a 33" pitch compared to the 31-32" of standard economy seats.
Read: Testing Air New Zealand's Skycouch on the 777-300ER
The rest of the economy cabin will be fitted with a standard economy seat from Zodiac but customised to Air New Zealand's specifications including a slimline seat back for more space, sculpted upholstering and a more flexible headrest.
Also read: Qantas sets its sights on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
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About David Flynn
David Flynn is the editor of Australian Business Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
