SINGAPORE- Air New Zealand (NZ) has launched a comprehensive overhaul of its Boeing 787-9 fleet, with the first of 14 aircraft landing in Singapore (SIN) on Sunday (October 14, 2024) for interior retrofit.
The plane, identified as ZK-NZH, will undergo extensive modifications at ST Engineering, the airline’s maintenance partner.
Air New Zealand 787 Cabin Retrofit
The renovation process involves removing all existing interior components and installing new features. These include upgraded seats in Economy and Premium Economy classes, as well as a redesigned Business Premier cabin featuring the new Business Premier Luxe option.
Baden Smith, Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Strategy, Networks, and Fleet, highlighted the significance of this project. He noted that Air New Zealand, as the launch customer for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in 2014, is now pioneering the complete interior retrofit of these aircraft.
The renovation will be thorough, encompassing the removal and replacement of seats, inflight entertainment systems, carpets, curtains, and lavatory wallpaper. Following the Singapore-based modifications, the aircraft will return to New Zealand for final checks and crew training.
Air New Zealand anticipates the renovated aircraft will resume commercial operations within the next year, marking a new era in passenger comfort and amenities for the airline’s long-haul fleet.
14 Planes, Two Years
Air New Zealand plans to retrofit all 14 of its Boeing 787-9 aircraft over the next two years, implementing a strategic rolling schedule. Baden Smith explains that the airline will send each aircraft to Singapore individually for renovation, ensuring minimal disruption to flight schedules and passenger travel plans.
The airline aims to maintain operational efficiency by retrofitting the existing fleet before acquiring new aircraft. This approach positions Air New Zealand to consistently deliver an enhanced flying experience for its customers.
ST Engineering, Air New Zealand’s long-standing maintenance partner, will oversee the retrofit process at their Singapore facilities.
Tan Eng Shu, EVP and Head of Aerospace MRO at ST Engineering expressed enthusiasm about welcoming the first Boeing 787-9 for this groundbreaking renovation project.
Tan highlighted ST Engineering’s comprehensive support for Air New Zealand’s Dreamliner fleet, spanning from routine maintenance to the world’s first complete cabin retrofit on a Boeing 787-9. He emphasized the significance of this project in strengthening the partnership between the two companies and contributing to Air New Zealand’s improved Dreamliner experience.
Bold Interiors
Air New Zealand’s retrofit project involves a comprehensive overhaul of its Boeing 787-9 aircraft interiors. The process resembles a home renovation, replacing all interior components with new, upgraded features.
The retrofit encompasses several key changes. New seats will be installed in all cabin classes, including the introduction of Business Premier Luxe™ seats in the Business Premier cabin.
The aircraft will receive new carpeting throughout, along with new curtains separating cabins and galleys. Lavatories will be updated with new wallpaper, hands-free waste disposal systems, and amenity holders.
Passengers will enjoy new inflight entertainment screens and systems. A Sky Pantry will be added to the Economy cabin, enhancing passenger comfort on long-haul flights.
The retrofit will standardize the Layout of Passenger Accommodation (LOPA) across all 14 aircraft. Each reconfigured plane will feature 272 seats, consisting of 4 Business Premier Luxe seats, 22 Business Premier seats, 33 Premium Economy seats, and 213 Economy seats, including 13 Economy Skycouch™ options.
This renovation marks a significant change from the current fleet configuration. Presently, Air New Zealand’s 787-9 aircraft have two different layouts: nine aircraft with 302 seats and five aircraft with 275 seats.
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