Air New Zealand Replacing 777 Aircraft With Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner

Air New Zealand announced that the airline has placed an order for 8 of Boeing's largest 787 Dreamliners, the 787-10. The airline currently operates the slightly smaller Boeing 787-9 as well as the Boeing 777-200ER and 777-300ER. The Boeing 777-200ER will ultimately be replaced by the 8 Boeing 787-10s ordered by Air New Zealand. (For a glimpse at what it's like to ride aboard the extended-length Dreamliner, check out our business class review on United.)

Air New Zealand cites the Boeing 787-10's improved fuel efficiency as the driving factor in the airline's decision to purchase the aircraft. According to the airline, the Boeing 787-10 represents a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the Boeing 777-200 and will reduce carbon emissions by up to 190,000 tonnes annually.

In a press release, Air New Zealand's Chief Executive Christopher Luxon said that "The 787-10 is longer and even more fuel efficient. However, the game changer for us has been that by working closely with Boeing, we've ensured the 787-10 will meet our network needs, including the ability to fly missions similar to our current 777-200 fleet."

Over the past decade, Air New Zealand has retired numerous older aircraft including the airline's fleet of Boeing 737-300s, Boeing 767-300ERs, and Boeing 747-400s. Currently, the average age of Air New Zealand's fleet is 7.3 years with the airline's Boeing 777-200s among the oldest aircraft in the airline's fleet.

Related: The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access!

The Boeing 787-10 is intended to replace the airline's entire fleet of 8 Boeing 777-200s by 2025. Air New Zealand expects the first Boeing 787-10 to be delivered in 2022 with the airline receiving its final Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners in 2027. Compared to the Boeing 787-9 of which the airline operates 13, the Boeing 787-10 can carry 15% more passengers and cargo.

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Air New Zealand plans on deploying the airline's Boeing 787-10s on routes currently served with the Boeing 777-200. Additionally, the Boeing 787-10 will allow the airline to serve new long-haul destinations.

Of note, the airline has made clear that each of its new 787-10s will lean on GE Aviation's GEnx-1B engines — the same beasts found on United's 787-10 fleet. For those who have followed the woes of Rolls-Royce and its Trent 1000 engine, the news isn't apt to be all that shocking.

The airline has not released a great deal of information pertaining to seating configuration however, Air New Zealand's widebody fleet is quite consistent with all long-haul widebody aircraft featuring business class, premium economy, and economy class. Additionally, Air New Zealand has confirmed that the Boeing 787-10 will feature the airline's new business class and premium economy products currently under development.