Aviation Special: Air New Zealand takes flight with new Boeing 787-9 'Dreamliner'

As the first carrier to take delivery on the all-new Boeing 787-9, Air New Zealand is expecting to bring a unique experience to the passengers, said company executives.

A ceremony was held on July 9 at the home of Boeing's final assembly plant in Everett, Washington to celebrate the delivery of the first 787-9 to Air New Zealand. "We are proud to be the launch customer for the 787-9," Rob McDonald, chief financial officer of Air New Zealand, said at the ceremony.

"We believe it will be a game-changer for Air New Zealand, with increased levels of fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. We look forward to inviting our customers on board to experience the aircraft and all of its benefits for themselves," he added.

John Wojick, senior vice-president of global sales and marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said "Air New Zealand was a perfect partner for us in developing the 787-9, given its innovative spirit and unique mission requirements".

He said that "the 787-9, combined with Air New Zealand's exceptional onboard service, will set them apart from the competition by providing an unrivaled flying experience".

The 787-9, known as the "Dreamliner", is the second member of the super-efficient 787 family. The 787 features a 20 percent reduction of fuel consumption and 20 percent fewer emissions than similar-sized airplanes.

About six meters longer than the its previous version 787-8, the 787-9 extends capacity and range, flying more passengers and more cargo farther.

To enhance passenger comfort, the airplane has larger windows, larger stow bins, higher humidity and cleaner air.

The plane left Everett on July 10 and arrived in Auckland where Air New Zealand is based after a 13.5-hour trip.

During the trip, executives of the airline introduced the company's own efforts to enhance the passenger experience in addition to those offered by Boeing.

Jodi Williams, the head of global brand development, said the business premier cabin features luxurious leather armchairs that can convert to flat beds.

She said another innovation is the 14 rows of Skycouch seats in the economy cabin where three neighboring seats can convert into a sofa-like flat surface for both rest and relaxation.

"This will be especially popular with families traveling with children and even young couples," she said.

Air New Zealand has ordered a total of 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which will eventually replace the existing 767 fleet, according to McDonald.

He said the 789-9s will be mainly serve the Asia-Pacific market, with the first to be used for the route between Auckland and Perth in Australia in October.

The airplanes will also be used on flights from Auckland to Shanghai and Tokyo at the end of the year, McDonald said.

McDonald said Air New Zealand is now focused on the Chinese market, the country's second-largest source for tourists next only to Australia.

He added that the potential continues as the market grows at 30 percent annually in the past couple of years.

To meet the growing demand, McDonald said the carrier plans to increase the number of flights to Shanghai in the future.

In Auckland, local tourism officials also talked about the growing popularity of New Zealand among Chinese tourists.

Ewan Cao, a media advisor at Tourism New Zealand, said New Zealand offers a range of natural and cultural attractions.

He said the locals' love of outdoor sports, the snow-capped Southern Alps, the colorful culture of the Maori people and picturesque Queenstown where Lord of the Rings was made offer Chinese tourists a totally different experience.

And in Auckland - the country's largest city and main transport hub, its diverse landscapes also provide countless opportunities for tourists to get immersed in nature.

To facilitate travels by Chinese tourists, Air New Zealand provides seamless connections from China to 25 New Zealand destinations including Queenstown and Wellington.

The New Zealand government and the tourism industry are working together to invest in the market and the tourism sector is developing products in New Zealand to meet the specific needs of Chinese guests.

zhaoshijun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/16/2014 page12)