Air New Zealand has today confirmed that its first 787-9 Dreamliner will be deployed between Auckland and Perth starting later 2014. This was announced by Air New Zealand’s CEO Mr Christopher Luxon.

The aircraft will be configured in a three class lay out with 18 new generation lie-flat Business Premier seats, 21 in Premium Economy and 263 seats in Economy including 14 of the airline’s popular “SkyCouches”

The new service will be operated in collaboration with partner airline Virgin Australia as part of the trans-Tasman alliance. The aircraft will be progressively deployed from Auckland to Tokyo and from Auckland to Shanghai.

Subject to regulatory approval, these new flights are expected to commence from 15 October 2015.