The first of Air New Zealand's 787s being built by Boeing has had its engines fitted, and the airline has released details of routes it could fly and some details of what the cabin will look like.
The plane is due to enter service around the middle of next year and will replace older aircraft flying to Asia, Western Australia and holiday destinations in the Pacific.
While the routes are publicly firming up, the airline has not released details of the final cabin configuration, crucial for passenger comfort. The 787-9 can carry between 250 and 290 passengers, and Air New Zealand planes will have business premier, premium economy and economy seating, including 16 rows of Skycouch seats.
United States-based Zodiac will make the standard economy seats, a slim line version of those in existing cabins with less padding to allow for extra leg room.
The airline's chief executive Christopher Luxon said the 787-9s would be a multi-purpose aircraft operating both long- and mid-haul sectors.