DALLAS — New Zealand's flag carrier has announced the start of retrofitting operations for its Boeing 787-9 fleet; Air New Zealand (NZ) is proposing new cabins and fittings for its long-haul aircraft.
The airline's general manager of strategy Baden Smith announced through a press release that retrofitting operations at the Singapore facilities will begin on October 20. The work was scheduled to start in August but was postponed due to some technical difficulties.
Numerous changes and upgrades will be made to the aircraft; in fact, Smith himself described the retrofit campaign as the first and only "nose-to-tail" retrofitting operation. Carpets, wallpapers, outfitting, and cabins will be removed and changed to accommodate the newer ones.
The Business Premier Luxe
Prominent among the upcoming changes is the presence of a new business class cabin, which NZ has named Business Premier Luxe. This suggests a radical and equally luxurious change from the previous business-class cabin. Each aircraft will be equipped with as many as 22 Business Premiere suites and 4 Business Premiere Luxe suites.
Business Premier Luxe will be available, in 8 seats, on the eight new B787-9s—scheduled to arrive in late 2025—accompanied by 42 seats divided into two cabins. The new product launched by NZ is dedicated to Executive Travellers.
Business Premier Luxe is a new product designed for traveling alone or with a company. In fact, additional space will be available inside the suite to accommodate another passenger; thanks to practical locking doors, more privacy will also be possible.
The Skynest Bunk
The news doesn't end there, as NK has decided to introduce Skynest Bunks in the Economy Class cabin. These bunks will allow passengers to enjoy a full-flat bed and will be available by reservation.
Each Skynest Bunk can be used by passengers for only 4 hours. This new product is not expected to be present in the 14 B787-9s already in use and scheduled for retrofit but will be available on new aircraft from 2025.
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January 2025
