Air NZ's first Boeing 787-9 touches down in Auckland

Air NZ's first Boeing 787-9 touches down in Auckland
By admin


Air New Zealand’s first Boeing 787-9 aircraft landed in Auckland on Friday following a successful delivery flight from Seattle.

More than 50 Air New Zealand staff performed the haka to welcome the aircraft, which is the first to be painted in the airline’s distinctive new black look.

Chief flight operations and safety officer Captain David Morgan said it was a proud moment to see the aircraft, displaying the Koru and New Zealand fern, touch down at its new Auckland hub.

“Being on the flight deck on the delivery flight of this magnificent 787-9 aircraft to New Zealand has been a career highlight,” Morgan said.

“Like the Boeing 747-400 in the 1980s, this aircraft really is a game changer for the airline and our customers.”

The landing of the aircraft in Auckland follows a week of celebrations in Seattle to mark the official handover by Boeing to Air New Zealand.

This is the first of 10 787-9 Dreamliners to join the Air New Zealand fleet. The aircraft will operate its first scheduled commercial route between Auckland and Perth in October, with services to Shanghai and Tokyo added later this year. 

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