As a New Zealander who lives in New York, flying home is often one of the most emotional moments of the trip. It’s the first breath of antipodean clean air, the warm familiar accents and the stunning landscapes. But those who have yet to visit, Air New Zealand It has always offered more than transportation. This is a glimpse of the character of the country: friendly, thoughtful and world-class.
Air New Zealand unveiled its retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on May 19. This is not just a fleet upgrade. It’s an innovative reimagining what long-haul traveling can feel and look like.
This project took over five years and more than 170,000 man-hours to create. It is a great example of how a carrier can embody their homeland’s spirit at 35,000 ft. It also reflects how the carrier is propelling itself—and by extension, the country—on the global stage in a future-focused way.
Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said: “Given the geographical location of New Zealand, most of our customers will travel overnight in order to get there.” Travel + Leisure. “With that in mind, our new cabins have been designed to prioritize comfort and rest in order to provide an exceptional inflight journey.”
That ethos, he added, has been “guided by the features premium travelers value most”—and it’s reflected in every touchpoint.
The moment passengers step aboard, they feel the essence of New Zealand. Every detail—from the calming natural tones of the cabin, echoing the country’s lush native bush and the iridescent plumage of the tui bird, to the tactile finishes—is crafted to evoke the beauty and tranquility of New Zealand.
Inflight entertainment is also evocative. Amenity kits feature skincare inspired by traditional Māori herbal practices, and the menus are a culinary showcase of indigenous flavors. Think smoked kahawai mousse with confit potato or beef short rib with black truffle, capped with a passionfruit pavlova—an authentic representation of cuisine found on local dinner tables.
Foran stated, “We think we have created something customers will love with an interior inspired by Aotearoa’s uniqueness.” The new cabin offers comfort and privacy. It is a great combination when combined with Air New Zealand’s Kiwi hospitality.
Air New Zealand
Retrofitted Dreamliners look as stylish as they do smart. Each cabin has a new in-flight entertainment system that features larger screens with 4K resolution, Bluetooth audio pairing and the ability to control personal devices.
The project has taken into account sustainability, an issue that is of increasing concern to both travelers and the aviation sector. Foran explained that “we’re focused to minimize impact as much possible. This includes increasing the usage of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) as well as making our fleet fuel-efficient.”
The new cabins feature lighter, more sustainable materials—such as fabrics replacing leather—and serviceware that’s up to 20 percent lighter, all contributing to reduced emissions. The airline also explores ways to reuse materials removed during the retrofit. It is committed to a circular economic system and a carbon-free future by 2050.
New Business Premier Cabin
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand’s Business Premier Cabin is the centerpiece of the retrofit. The cabin was created after thorough research and input from customers. Foran stated, “It’s important for us to develop products which are exactly what our customer wants, and that is why we carried out extensive research in developing our cabin.” Business Premier seats were designed to make even long flights more comfortable and elegant: they feature lie-flat mattresses, improved privacy, wireless charging and 24-inch high resolution monitors.
This Business Premier Luxe experience is for those looking for an additional level of exclusivity. These seats are located in the front row, limited to only four seats per aircraft. They offer extra space, privacy doors, and the ability to dine at altitude with a friend.
Economy and Premium Economy Refresh
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand didn’t limit its innovations to the front part of the aircraft. Foran explained that the demand for premium cabins is increasing due to ultra-long haul travel.
The refreshed economy cabin features up to five seating options. This includes the popular Skycouch as well as the Skynest, the first bunk-bed concept in the world for economy passengers, starting in 2026.
Premium Economy was also reimagined. It features one of the largest seats (41 inches) in the industry, enhanced privacy, clever storage and lighting that is designed to be comfortable without disturbing other passengers.
Flying in the Future
Air New Zealand’s retrofitted Dreamliners are setting new standards for long-haul flying. In my case, 18 hours From JFK to AKL. As someone who has flown nearly every major international airline, I can say with certainty that Air New Zealand consistently offers one of the most thoughtful and gracious flying experiences in the world—not just in the premium cabins, but across all classes. The blend of cultural authenticity, technological innovation and sustainability offered by Air New Zealand is a testament to its homeland, as well as an invitation for travelers to New Zealand to begin their journey from the moment that they board the plane.
