Air New Zealand delays its new business class launch to 2025, with revamped Boeing 787s featuring luxurious upgrades and innovative amenities.

Air New Zealand has announced a delay in the rollout of its highly anticipated new business class, which is now set to debut in 2025. The airline has pushed back its Boeing 787 refit program, originally expected to introduce the revamped cabins next year.

Despite being equipped with the airline’s flagship Business Premier suites, the newly designed 787s will not immediately serve the non-stop Auckland-New York route. Air New Zealand’s CEO, Greg Foran, revealed during the financial results presentation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year that the fresh fleet of Dreamliners is now expected to arrive toward the end of 2025.

These state-of-the-art aircraft are tailored for ultra-long-range flights and will feature 42 Business Premier seats spread across two cabins, including eight luxurious Business Premier Luxe suites. The new 787s will also introduce six innovative Skynest bunk beds, allowing economy passengers to reserve a lie-flat bed for four hours at a time.

In contrast, the retrofitted 787s will offer a smaller business class cabin with just 22 seats, including four Luxe suites, and will not include the Skynest facilities.

Enhanced Business Class Experience

The new business class aims to modernize the travel experience, moving away from the outdated 20-year-old sleeper shell design. The revamped Business Premier seats will provide a more spacious and private environment. The seats will be angled slightly inward, providing a better view while maintaining proximity to the window.

Passengers can expect increased privacy with sliding panels, along with additional amenities such as a storage cabinet, a vanity mirror, a spacious side shelf, wireless charging, and a 24-inch video screen that supports Bluetooth audio streaming for personal headphones.

The Business Premier Luxe suites will feature sliding partitions for added seclusion, allowing travelers to share experiences with a companion.

While Air New Zealand plans to enhance the in-flight experience with a Merino wool throw and other soft product upgrades, the dining offerings will remain consistent. Business Premier Luxe passengers will continue to enjoy the “Aotearoa on a Plate” concept, which emphasizes fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

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