Pilots begin training for Air NZ's new fleet

Air New Zealand pilots have begun training on the new Boeing 777 jets due to join the airline's fleet this year.

Four senior 767 pilots are now based at the home of Boeing's commercial airplanes division, near Seattle, in the United States.

The first new planes will arrive in New Zealand in September.

The pilots' experience, along with the shared features between the 767 and 777, had allowed them to undertake "fast-tracked training", said Ed Sims, general manager international airline.

A group of 16 pilots will be trained in Seattle. They will then train other pilots in the airline's new 777 simulator, which is due to be ready in June.

Pilots will also be able to train in the planes operating on transtasman routes in their first month of service.

Air New Zealand raised $185.5 million in a rights issue last year to help pay for its new $1.8 billion fleet. Eight new 777s, some leased, will be added, along with two of the revolutionary new Boeing 7E7s.

The 7E7, which has yet to go into production, will be the first commercial jet liner with major parts of its fuselage built from carbon fibre.

The 777's extra capabilities will open up new destinations, such as Shanghai.

Another drain on the airline's budget this year will be a $20 million a plane upgrade of its eight Boeing 747-400 planes. They will get new seats, entertainment systems and interiors.

New crew uniforms are also being designed as part of the overhaul of the airline's long-haul services.