Air New Zealand has announced Auckland-Perth will be the first scheduled route ever operated by the revolutionary new Boeing 787-9 when the airline takes delivery of the launch aircraft next year.

Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon made the announcement at the official opening of the airline's Customer Innovation and Collaboration Centre in Auckland today. A feature of the centre is the only Boeing 787-9 full cabin interior outside the factory in Seattle. This interactive interior experience showcases each of the three 787-9 cabin environments: Business Premier; Premium Economy; and Economy - including the unique Kiwi designed Economy Skycouch.  

The airline has confirmed an 18 lie flat seat Business Premier zone in a herringbone layout and a separate 21 seat Premium Economy cabin in a 2-3-2 configuration, each with its own dedicated bathroom facilities.  The two Economy cabins will accommodate 263 passengers, including 14 Skycouch rows.  All customers will benefit from the Boeing 787-9s larger windows, cleaner cabin air, higher humidity and lower relative cabin pressure.

Mr Luxon says the Customer Innovation and Collaboration Centre will also be the hub for further innovation from Air New Zealand.

"We are determined to deliver step changes in customer experience and to work with our trade partners to crack business issues and seize opportunities together. This centre provides a focal point to bring to life the best of Kiwi ingenuity and we will also make it available as a venue for like minded Kiwi businesses to use."

Mr Luxon says the 787-9 dedicated routes to follow Auckland-Perth (which is operated as part of its trans-Tasman alliance with Virgin Australia) will be Auckland-Tokyo and Auckland-Shanghai, meaning the airline will be offering lie flat Business Premier seating and the unique Economy Skycouch to even more long haul destinations.

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia customers are able to book on the 787-9 service between Auckland and Perth for travel from 15 October 2014 at www.airnewzealand.com and www.virginaustralia.com

Further information about Air New Zealand's new 787-9 fleet visit www.airnewzealand.com/futuretakingflight

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Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs ph +64 21 747 320

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand provides uniquely Kiwi journeys to more than 13 million customers who fly to, from and within New Zealand each year. We operate more than 4,000 flights each week, connecting customers to 26 destinations within New Zealand and to Australia, the Pacific Islands, Indonesia, China, Japan, Canada, USA and the United Kingdom.

About Star Alliance:

Air New Zealand is proud to be a member of Star Alliance. The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries.

For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com

For press information please contact: Cara Mygind Cara.Mygind@airnz.co.nz