Air New Zealand will add more than 30,000 seats to North America this year as it targets Qantas’ dominance of the lucrative premium travel market between Australia and the United States.

The ASX and NZX dual-listed carrier said the new seats, which come at the same time as seven refurbished Boeing Dreamliners, will increase its capacity by 8 per cent to the US and Canada compared to the previous year, including a 15 per cent rise in business class.