Air NZ launches retrofitted Boeing 787 planes on Australian flights
Air New Zealand has shown off its first retrofitted 787 that brings more economy leg room, a sky pantry and lie-flat business class seats. Plus a sneak peek at Skynest bunk beds | WATCH THE VIDEO
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Air New Zealand has shown off its first retrofitted Boeing 787 after a six month refurbishment, that promises “home-style” comfort for travellers on trans-Tasman and long-haul international routes.
After 184 days in the shop in Singapore, the 787 now has 22 lie-flat business seats plus four business luxe seats with privacy doors, a 33-seat premium economy cabin and 213 economy seats.
CEO Greg Foran who is preparing to leave the airline in October, said the retrofit had been a long-time coming given it was first planned in 2018, but it had been worth the wait.
“We knew it was going to be difficult, because we’re doing it at a time when the supply chain is far from operating smoothly,” Mr Foran said.
“But now we’ve got the first one done, the next one should be through in about 45 days, and we will have seven retrofitted by the end of the year.”
Among the features of the 787 makeover were larger, high-definition in-flight entertainment screens in every cabin; the ability to link phones or other devices to the screen creating a remote control and additional storage space.
The much-anticipated Skynest — a double-sided, triple decker bed stack for economy passengers — won’t arrive until new 787s land, sometime next year.
To be located at the front of the economy cabin in the place of six seats, passengers willing to pay an extra $400 to $600 on their fare will be able to access the Skynest for four hour blocks during flights of 16 to 17 hours.
Each bed will be fitted with a seat belt, and offer a phone charging port, plus eye mask and blanket.
Until then economy passengers will have to be content with new slimline seats offering an extra inch of legroom; a sky pantry for snacks throughout the flight and feature walls in the toilets.
Business class seats offer a wireless charging pad and the ability to raise the headrest in lie-flat mode; while premium economy featured a fixed outer shell so passengers did not recline into other people’s space.
General manager of strategy, networks and fleet Baden Smith said the top priority in designing the new look was sleep, which was reflected in the gentle colour scheme, well-cushioned seats, extra space and privacy features.
“We thought about sleep and also about comfort and being relaxed, and that kind of calm Kiwi approach to things rather than being loud,” said Mr Smith.
“We’re not shouty, we’re not bling. It is about being at home and being relaxed and being on your couch at home.”
There was also more space for crew rest tucked into the ceiling at the rear of the aircraft.
Mr Foran said the space, accessible by a discreet stair case, could accommodate up to six cabin crew at a time.
Pilots’ rest area was at the front of the aircraft, and had two beds and a chair in which to sit during long flights such as Auckland-New York.
Mr Foran said the retrofit, new crew uniforms and eventual arrival of the Skynest-fitted 787s, had provided an important morale boost after some difficult years for Air New Zealand.
“I started on the day that we stopped the first flight (due to Covid-19) and five weeks later, we stopped flying,” he said.
“Then of course you scramble to restart and then frankly we’ve had challenges with Rolls-Royce in their Trent engines and Pratt and Whitney in their geared turbo fan and that’s just unfortunate that Air New Zealand have two of the most problematic engines in the world at the moment.”
He said he did not have anything lined up following his planned departure from Air New Zealand in October and claimed to know “nothing about” speculation he was asked by Endeavour Group to join as CEO before Jayne Hrdlicka was appointed.
But the 63-year-old was not about to mothball his business suits.
“I feel that at my age, I’ve still got another itch that I need to scratch,” he said.
“I’m not too sure what that would be but I’m excited. I’ve worked and lived in five different countries now and I enjoy going to work, enjoy difficult challenges and this has been one.”
Brisbane-bound travellers will get to experience the new look 787 before anyone else, when it makes its first flight from Auckland on May 19, before heading to San Francisco.
Air New Zealand said predominantly the aircraft will be used on routes to Brisbane, San Francisco, Rarotonga and Vancouver.
Mr Foran was confident trans-Tasman travellers would snap up the opportunity to fly in the business class cabin, with the A321neos currently used on that route configured as all-economy.
The writer was in Auckland as a guest of Air NZ.
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