Air NZ switches order to Dreamliner model

Boeing's new Dreamliner aircraft.

Air New Zealand's first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will be delivered in December 2010, the airline says.

Boeing, Air New Zealand and engine-maker Rolls-Royce held a ceremonial signing today in which Air NZ converted its original order for four 787-8 airplanes to four 787-9 airplanes.

The 787-9 is a slightly bigger version of the 787-8 and has a list price of $183 million. Air NZ chief executive Rob Fyfe said being the first airline to introduce the 787-9 aircraft was a desirable position for the company.

The 787-9 is capable of carrying 250-290 passengers on routes of 15,900km-16,300km.

Roland Ramirez, Boeing's commercial airplanes sales director in the Asia Pacific region, said the 787-9 had unprecedented fuel efficiency.

It would bring the economics of large jet transports to the middle of the market, using 20 per cent less fuel than any other plane of its size, he said.

The airplane features include higher humidity in the passenger cabins, wider seats and aisles, and larger windows than existing Boeing aircraft.

- NZPA