Air New Zealand’s Dreamliner makeover is ready for departure with new seats and more space

If you’ve ever been ambushed mid-air by the dreaded in-flight recline — the seat in front of you snapping back without warning, knees crushed and tray table trembling, well, Air New Zealand may have just delivered a solution.

After several years of planning and a 184-day retrofit in Singapore, the airline has unveiled its fully redesigned 787-9 Dreamliner.

Announced as a “world-first nose-to-tail retrofit,” the aircraft features all-new seats in every cabin, sleeker in-flight entertainment, and smart design upgrades intended to fix some of air travel’s most irritating issues.

At least for some passengers.

The refreshed layout is split across four cabin classes: Business Premier, Business Premier Luxe, Premium Economy, and Economy.

At the top end, Business Premier offers sliding privacy screens, wireless charging, a 24-inch 4K entertainment screen, and lie-flat seating complete with a headrest lift, perfect for binge-watching or flipping through a mid-flight novel.

The Luxe version, located in the front row, adds closing doors, a larger bed, and enough space to dine à deux.

But the sweet spot for comfort might be Premium Economy.

Designed with a fixed outer shell and winged headrests, the seats allow you to recline without elbowing your neighbour into next week.

There’s also added storage space, which, for once, means your passport and snacks don’t have to fight for the same pocket.

Economy travellers aren’t entirely left behind, with 50 per cent larger entertainment screens, clever new stowage features, and a “Stretch” seating option that promises 39 per cent more legroom.

The catch?

That extra space doesn’t come standard, it’s a paid upgrade within the Economy cabin. So yes, there’s more legroom on board, but you’ll have to pay to find it.

Digital upgrades also make an appearance throughout the aircraft, including Bluetooth pairing, Picture-in-Picture functionality, and the ability to control your seat screen with your phone.

“This is the first ever full nose-to-tail retrofit of a 787-9 Dreamliner and marks the introduction of our first new onboard product in over 15 years,” Air New Zealand chief executive officer Greg Foran said.

“We’ve completely reimagined the experience of flying with Air New Zealand, incorporating elegant design elements, innovative Kiwi touches, and features informed by feedback from thousands of customers.”

The revamped aircraft enters service on May 19, kicking off with a short-haul hop from Auckland to Brisbane before heading long-haul to San Francisco.

Over the next 18 months, 13 more Dreamliners in the fleet will undergo similar transformations, with the new cabin experience appearing on routes to Brisbane, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Rarotonga and more to follow.