Air New Zealand forced to delay introduction of new business class product

Air New Zealand has been forced to delay the introduction of its all-new business class offering after supply chain delays affected the delivery of key components. The Auckland-based airline had hoped to introduce the new product on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet in September 2024, but the rollout has been delayed until “early next year”, the airline said.

Speaking to Executive Traveller, the airline’s Head of Fleet Strategy and Delivery, Baden Smith, said the refit programme was “running slightly later than originally planned due to global supply chain challenges for parts. The first of our 787-9s will depart for Singapore for the retrofit in mid-October”.

“We are excited to get this program underway and will be working with the team to conduct various checks and training to get it flying early next year,” he added.

In addition to announcing the latest rollout delay, the company now also appears to be backing off its previous announcement that the new Business Premier Suites product would first be offered on the airline’s Auckland to New York-JFK route. The upgraded business class product could now appear on all of the airline’s routes currently served by its 787 fleet, an Air New Zealand spokesperson told Executive Traveler.

The original plan was for the product to appear on the airline’s longest 787-9 Dreamliner routes from Auckland to Chicago and New York. However, with the delivery of the first of a new batch of these aircraft delayed until late 2025, the product could appear on the converted older 787s already in the company’s fleet.

Carlos Yudica Shutterstock

The first 787-9s to be converted in Singapore were originally scheduled to enter service in September 2024. In addition to being equipped with the new business class, these aircraft were also set to mark the introduction of the airline’s highly anticipated and highly praised ‘Skynest’ bunk-class capsule.

The Skynest experience consists of a capsule located between the premium economy and economy cabins, which has six sleeping cabins in a triple-bunk configuration on either side. This allows economy passengers to book a full-length lie-flat bed for four hours at a time.

Each pod will include personal ventilation, a reading light, full bedding with a full-size pillow, earplugs, a USB port, and special lighting for rest. The Skynest experience will be bookable for a single four-hour session for an expected fee of approximately US$244-US$370.

New Zealand Aviation

Following the conversion, the converted 787-9s will feature a cabin specifically designed for the airline’s ultra-long-haul routes. They will feature 42 Business Premier seats across two cabins, with the first row of each two cabins featuring four Business Premier Luxe suites, in addition to the Skynest product and a redesigned premium economy cabin.

Air New Zealand announced in July 2024 that it would continue to invest in its Dreamliner fleet. The current fleet of 14 aircraft will receive a complete upgrade, while the airline has ordered a further eight Dreamliners from Boeing (six 787-10s and another two 787-9s).

Over the past 10 years, the airline has carried more than 11 million customers on 59,000 787 Dreamliner flights, logging more than 475,000 flight hours. The airline currently operates 14 787-9s, which seat 302 passengers in a three-class configuration.