New Air New Zealand Dreamliner retrofit

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#3495734 27-May-2026 11:11

stubbed:

ZK-NZS = Number 1, but that's a brand new airframe. What about the existing retrofitted ones?

You need to compare the seat layouts to work out if you get an old, upgraded or brand new one or not. Even the old layouts you had two versions for short or long haul. After all the retrofits there should only be two versions the RR powered retrofit 787-9's and the new ultra long haul increased MTOW GE powered ones.

https://seatmaps.com/airlines/nz-air-new-zealand/boeing-787-9/

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#3495735 27-May-2026 11:16

stubbed:

ZK-NZS = Number 1, but that's a brand new airframe. What about the existing retrofitted ones?

Watch the SanFran/Vancouver route. NZH Running on those first with V4 seating. (NZH was retro'd last year).

Believe skynest will be going on the new ones put on JFK route. '-9 V5'

They announced this week all engine/issue grounded aircraft will be re-activated by end of June too. Incl the rest of the 787s.

noroad

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#3495740 27-May-2026 11:31

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@noroad - Yeah copy, the routes I fly (AKL<>LAX, AKL<>IAH, AKL<>SIN) are exclusively 777, AirNZ + Ex Cathay. My hope is that there are some plane nerds who have flown on retrofitted 787s who use Flightly or byAir and have the registration details so we can start a list.

Yea, the Old 777-319's workhorse aircraft are low on their upgrade list unfortunately, and I suspect these will be where they save capex. The 777-367's are definitely nicer (no skynest though) even if older. I seem to recall the 777-367's were on a four year lease from memory so I'm guessing they will replace them with the new increased MTOW 787-10's as they arrive.

https://simpleflying.com/boeing-787-faa-mtow-boost-400-mile-range/

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#3499016 1-Jun-2026 09:10

My August NZ5/NZ6 AKL/LAX flights have just changed from 777 to 787, and the seat map for both implies retrofitted models. Will update with tail numbers when they're locked in.

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CYaBro

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#3499022 1-Jun-2026 10:30

Our flight to Vancouver in June last year was on a retrofitted 787, as was the return flight in July.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

stw

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#3499086 1-Jun-2026 13:20

787 New Fitout 💺

ZK-NZH

ZK-NZI

ZK-NZK

ZK-NZG

ZK-NZC

ZK-NZR

ZK-NZE

ZK-NZN

Currently in progress in Singapore

ZK-NZF 8th May

ZK-NZQ 28th April

Still to be done

ZK-NZL

ZK-NZM

ZK-NZJ

Pending in Storage Alice Spring 🇦🇺

ZK-NZD 12th Sep

Thanks Sam

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noroad

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#3500705 6-Jun-2026 07:09

stubbed:

My August NZ5/NZ6 AKL/LAX flights have just changed from 777 to 787, and the seat map for both implies retrofitted models. Will update with tail numbers when they're locked in.

Yes, My NZ6 flight in September just changed to 787 as well, very happy with that as I always feel a lot more refreshed after a 787 long haul over the 777 or A330.

I've got a Sydney 777-367 (zk-oku) flight tomorrow and I notice the 367 basically does Houston and back then a Sydney or Brisbane only routine. It must be an absolute nightmare for the AirNZ planning people with all these different layouts. When checking on spotters.net I notice "Entered into service 17 Nov 2023 - leased from (hidden) until Apr 2026" and then "leased from (hidden) Apr 2026" so I assume they have renewed the lease for another few years. The other two 777-367's don't have notes on lease renewal

noroad

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#3500707 6-Jun-2026 07:15

noroad:

I've got a Sydney 777-367 (zk-oku) flight tomorrow and I notice the 367 basically does Houston and back then a Sydney or Brisbane only routine. It must be an absolute nightmare for the AirNZ planning people with all these different layouts. When checking on spotters.net I notice "Entered into service 17 Nov 2023 - leased from (hidden) until Apr 2026" and then "leased from (hidden) Apr 2026" so I assume they have renewed the lease for another few years. The other two 777-367's don't have notes on lease renewal

It looks like two of the 777-367's zk-oku and zk-okw are pretty much dedicated to Houston + Sydney/Brisbane. Definitely better on those than the old 777-319's for that longest AirNZ 777 flight.

noroad

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#3501285 8-Jun-2026 12:24

noroad:

It looks like two of the 777-367's zk-oku and zk-okw are pretty much dedicated to Houston + Sydney/Brisbane. Definitely better on those than the old 777-319's for that longest AirNZ 777 flight.

It looks like from this article https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/airlines/air-nz-says-breakthrough-reached-on-engine-drama-iata-boss-tells-engine-makers-stop-gouging-us/premium/EMUIFAE5MFBCLMFAWYGMZHENAU/ That zk-oku will be gone soon and the other two 777-367s will last through to the end of next year. Makes sense now that NZ6 is swapping to the 787-9 as more of the return to service after engines and interior refits are done. There is going to be a significant difference between the 787 fleet and the old 777-319's interiors. Hopefully they don't drag out the 777-319 refit for too long to save cash as Qantas will eat their lunch in quality at equivalent or better pricing.

heavenlywild

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#3501290 8-Jun-2026 13:07

Retrofit or not it's not all that impressive. Air NZ has really gone down hill and I have no idea how they get awards for anything.

Recent trip on a retrofitted 787:

the screen is large, but it is as reflective as a mirror
the IFE movies and TV shows are very limited, and does not have much selection unless you like local stuff
food was ok, nothing amazing - although the garlic bread was a winner, so loved that.

I was excited but left highly disappointed. They can't hold a candle to even Qantas to be honest - and we know what Qantas is like!

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#3501337 8-Jun-2026 16:28

So we are off to Bali in six week time, 22nd time, direct flight approx 9 hours. We are flying in a 787-9 and according to the 787-9 aircraft seat map there are 5 variants of seating for this aircraft. (Skynest, V1, V2, V3 & V4) [which I just learnt from within this forum topic]

Our chosen seat allocation is 36B & 36C. This is the 787-9 V3 and our seating is called Economy Stretch. Same on our return flights.

Anyone flown in these Economy Stretch seats before ??

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

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#3501380 8-Jun-2026 20:10

heavenlywild:

Retrofit or not it's not all that impressive. Air NZ has really gone down hill and I have no idea how they get awards for anything.

Recent trip on a retrofitted 787:

the screen is large, but it is as reflective as a mirror
the IFE movies and TV shows are very limited, and does not have much selection unless you like local stuff
food was ok, nothing amazing - although the garlic bread was a winner, so loved that.
I was excited but left highly disappointed. They can't hold a candle to even Qantas to be honest - and we know what Qantas is like!

Have to agree about the new screens. They are way too reflective.

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#3501384 8-Jun-2026 20:16

heavenlywild:

Retrofit or not it's not all that impressive. Air NZ has really gone down hill and I have no idea how they get awards for anything.

Recent trip on a retrofitted 787:

the screen is large, but it is as reflective as a mirror
the IFE movies and TV shows are very limited, and does not have much selection unless you like local stuff
food was ok, nothing amazing - although the garlic bread was a winner, so loved that.
I was excited but left highly disappointed. They can't hold a candle to even Qantas to be honest - and we know what Qantas is like!

i've been a Gold Elite for a while but i have seen it turn into a budget airline, sadly i have decided to just let it lapse. partly (but not the main reason) because there isn't anywhere to fly to with air NZ, or without air NZ, due to the global security. but the main reason is air NZ itself!

networkn

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#3501385 8-Jun-2026 20:23

Rob Fyfes AirNZ was peak AirNZ and during that tenure they were also NZs best company.

noroad

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#3508557 4-Jul-2026 15:28

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/air-new-zealands-final-787-9-dreamliner-long-term-storage

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