Air New Zealand finalises order for eight B787-10 Dreamliner jets

Sep 25, 2019: Global launch customer of the Boeing 787-9 jet Air New Zealand today finalised $2.7 billion deal with Boeing, for eight 787-10 Dreamliner airplanes.

This order is a strategic move to grow the business of the carrier, which according to Boeing is ‘recognized for its long-range flights and global network’.

The flag carrier of New Zealand will integrate the largest Dreamliner model into its world-class fleet of 787-9 and 777 airplanes from 2022 to strategically grow its business.

The airplane deal, announced in May as a commitment, includes options to increase the number of aircraft from eight up to 20, and substitution rights that allow a switch from the larger 787-10 to smaller 787-9s, or a combination of the two models for future fleet and network flexibility.

“With the 787-10 offering around 15 percent more space for both customers and cargo than the 787-9, this investment creates the platform for our future strategic direction and opens up new opportunities to grow,” said Christopher Luxon, chief executive officer, Air New Zealand.

As the largest member of the passenger-pleasing and super-efficient Dreamliner family, the 787-10 is 224 feet long (68 meters) and can seat up to 330 passengers in a standard two-class configuration, about 40 more than the 787-9.

The 787-10 set a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics when it entered commercial service last year. The airplane allows operators to achieve 25 percent better fuel efficiency per seat compared to the previous airplanes in its class.

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“Air New Zealand has made very strategic investments in advanced widebody aircraft to build on its status as a leading global carrier connecting the South Pacific with Asia and the Americas,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company.

Air New Zealand today operates 13 of the Dreamliner variant. With another 787-9 on the way and the 787-10 airplanes in the future, the airline's Dreamliner fleet is on track to grow to 22. The new Dreamliner aircraft will replace Air New Zealand's fleet of eight 777-200ERs. Air New Zealand's widebody fleet also includes seven 777-300ERs.