Air New Zealand has become the first airline to take delivery of the “stretched” Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The 787-9 is due to depart for Auckland from Boeing’s manufacturing based in Seattle today (Thursday) after being displayed to international media and travel trade partners.
The aircraft is the first of ten 787-9 Dreamliners to join Air New Zealand’s fleet.
It will operate the Auckland-Perth route from October 15 and to Shanghai and Tokyo later this year.
Another ANZ 787-9 will be displayed by Boeing at the Farnborough International Airshow later this month.
The airline’s chief executive Christopher Luxon says the delivery of the 787-9 is the start of an exciting new era for the airline.
“It’s a privilege to be the global launch customer for this aircraft and our team is looking forward to flying it home to New Zealand. The 787-9 is a real game-changer and we can’t wait for our customers to experience it,” he said.