Air New Zealand fleet
The Air New Zealand fleet consists of Boeing jet aircraft for long-haul flights, and Airbus jet aircraft for domestic and short-haul international flights. The airline also operates ATR 72 and Bombardier Q300 turboprop aircraft on domestic services.
Current fleet
As of 29 February 2020, the fleet consists of the following aircraft.[1]
Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B | P | S | E | Total | ||||
Airbus A320-200 | 23 | — | — | — | — | 168 | 168 | International configuration[2] |
— | — | — | 171 | 171 | Domestic configuration[3] | |||
Airbus A320neo | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 165 | 165 | Replacing older A320-200. Next deliveries from 2021.[4][5][6][7] |
Airbus A321neo | 7 | 7[8] | — | — | — | 214 | 214 | |
ATR 72-600 | 27 | 2 | — | — | — | 68 | 68 | Taken over from Mount Cook Airline |
Boeing 777-200ER | 8 | — | 26 | 40 | 54 | 192 | 312 | To be replaced by Boeing 787-10[9][10] |
Boeing 777-300ER | 7 | — | 44 | 54 | 60 | 184 | 342 | |
Boeing 787-9 | 14[11] | — | 27 | 33 | 39 | 176 | 275 | |
18 | 21 | 42 | 221 | 302 | ||||
Boeing 787-10 | — | 8[12] | TBA | Deliveries from 2022.[12] To replace Boeing 777-200ER. | ||||
Bombardier Q300 | 23 | — | — | — | — | 50 | 50 | Taken over from Air Nelson |
Total | 114 | 19 |
The Boeing customer code for Air New Zealand was 19, which was inherited from the National Airways Corporation on its merger with Air New Zealand in 1978 (Air New Zealand itself did not own any Boeing aircraft before 1978). This means a Boeing 777-200ER built for Air New Zealand was designated a 777-219ER. Since the introduction of the Boeing 787, Boeing no longer uses customer codes.
Airbus A320-200
Air New Zealand introduced the Airbus A320-200 in 2003, the first non-Boeing aircraft in its jet fleet since the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was withdrawn in 1982. The A320-200 was introduced to replace the Boeing 767-200ER and Boeing 737–300 on short-haul international routes to eastern Australia and the Pacific Islands.
On 3 November 2009, Air New Zealand announced it would purchase fourteen more Airbus A320-200 aircraft to replace the Boeing 737-300 fleet on domestic routes. This allowed the airline to have a single aircraft family operating on all short-haul flights.[13]
The international A320s were originally fitted with 8 business class seats and 144 economy class seats; in 2010 they were refitted with a 168-seat all-economy cabin to coincide with a new fare structure on flights to Australia and the Pacific Islands. The domestic A320s were fitted in a 171-seat all-economy configuration at entry into service.
Airbus A320neo and A321neo
At the start of June 2014, Air New Zealand announced it would be placing a NZ$1.6 billion order with Airbus for thirteen Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft will replace the airline's older Airbus A320s.[4][14] The airline selected the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan engine to power its A320neo fleet.[15] In June 2017, delivery of the A320neo aircraft was delayed until 2018 due to delivery and mechanical issues with the Pratt & Whitney engines.[5] In August 2018, Air New Zealand announced it was ordering seven more A321neo aircraft, taking the total order to six A320neos and fourteen A321neos.[6]
The airline's first A321neo was unveiled on 26 September 2018 and arrived in Auckland on 5 November.[16] The aircraft entered revenue service on 23 November 2018, operating between Auckland and Brisbane.[17]
ATR 72-500 and 72-600
On 10 December 2019, subsidiary Mount Cook Airline was dissolved and merged into the main Air New Zealand airline. As a result, Air New Zealand acquired Mount Cook's fleet of six ATR 72-500 and twenty-three ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft. It also acquired Mount Cook's order of six additional ATR 72-600 aircraft to replace the remaining -500 aircraft.
Boeing 777-200ER
Air New Zealand introduced the Boeing 777-200ER in 2004.
In 2014–15, all eight aircraft were refurbished with a new in-flight entertainment system and new cabin furniture at a cost of $100 million. The Premium Economy cabin was refitted with new recliner seats in a 2-4-2 configuration and increased from 36 to 40 seats, while the economy cabin was refitted in a 3-4-3 configuration, with the 242 seats replaced with 54 Economy Skycouch seats and 192 regular economy seats. In all, the number of seats increased from 304 to 312.[18]
In June 2018, Air New Zealand dry leased an ex-Singapore Airlines 777-200ER as temporary cover due to ongoing issues with the airline's Boeing 787-9 fleet. The aircraft retained its Singapore Airlines seat configuration of 26 business class and 245 economy class seats. A second 777-200ER was leased from Singapore Airlines in October of the same year, whilst retaining the same livery.[19]
The 777-200ER fleet is expected to retire from 2023 onwards, following the introduction of the Boeing 787–10.[20]
Boeing 777-300ER
Air New Zealand introduced the Boeing 777-300ER in 2010 to replace the Boeing 747–400 on long-haul routes. The model was introduced to the flagship London Heathrow – Los Angeles – Auckland route (NZ1/NZ2) in April 2011.
The 777-300ER was the first aircraft to feature the Economy Skycouch and the Premium Economy Spaceseat. As introduced, the aircraft had 338 seats – 44 business, 50 premium economy, 60 Economy Skycouch seats and 192 regular economy seats. Shortly after introduction, one premium economy row was removed, reducing the premium economy seats to 44 and the total seats on board to 332.
Air New Zealand refurbished the 777-300ER fleet in 2017. The Premium Economy Spaceseat product was phased out and replaced with the Premium Economy product as found on the 777-200ER and the 787–9, with recliner seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. The refit increased the number of premium economy seats from 44 to 54 and the total seats from 332 to 342.[21]
In July 2018, Air New Zealand dry-leased an EVA Air 777-300ER as temporary cover due to ongoing issues with Air New Zealand's Boeing 787-9 fleet.[22]
Boeing 787-9
In 2004 the airline ordered eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as the launch customer for the 787-9 model, with options on ten more. These were originally intended to be delivered beginning in late 2010,[23] but significant development delays in the base 787-8 model pushed delivery of the 787-9 out to mid-2014. In February 2013, Air New Zealand exercised two options to bring the order to ten, and on 8 December 2014 exercised two more to bring the order to twelve. In February 2017, Air New Zealand announced with Air Lease Corporation a long-term lease for one new 787–9. It was scheduled to be delivered during the third quarter of 2018. The last 787-9 was expected to be delivered in late 2018.[24]
The first aircraft was handed over to Air New Zealand on 8 July 2014 at the Everett plant, and arrived in Auckland three days later.[25] The first 787-9 service operated on 9 August 2014, from Auckland to Sydney and return.[26] The first nine 787-9 aircraft delivered are fitted with 18 Business, 21 Premium Economy, 42 Economy Skycouch and 221 standard economy seats, totalling 302 seats. The last five have a higher premium seating configuration, with 27 Business, 33 Premium Economy, 39 Economy Skycouch and 176 standard economy seats, totalling 275 seats.[21]
Air New Zealand's 787-9 fleet uses the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. Owing to blade cracking in the engines, Air New Zealand in 2018 altered schedules and dry-leased two Boeing 777-200ER from Singapore Airlines and a Boeing 777-300ER from EVA Air. As of June 2019, the airline was still waiting for the issue to be rectified and return the aircraft to service. These events continue to have a financial impact on the airline.[27][28][29]
Boeing 787-10
In June 2017, Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon announced the airline was investigating new aircraft to eventually replace the 777-200ER fleet. Long-list replacement options included the Boeing 777X, the Boeing 787-10, and the Airbus A350 XWB.[5] An RFP for replacement aircraft was issued in August 2018.[20]
On 27 May 2019, Air New Zealand announced that they would be purchasing eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft, with the first aircraft expected to enter service in 2022. The order included twelve options for additional Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 787-10 aircraft.[30] The 787-10 will be fitted with General Electric GEnx engines, in contrast to the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to the airline's 787-9 fleet.[31] On 24 September 2019, Air New Zealand officially signed the order for the 787–10.[32]
Bombardier Q300
On 19 November 2019, subsidiary Air Nelson was dissolved and merged into the main Air New Zealand airline.[33] As a result, Air New Zealand acquired Air Nelson's fleet of 23 Bombardier Q300 turboprop aircraft.
Historic fleet
![](../I/m/Air_New_Zealand_Link_ATR72-500_ZK-MCJ_NZ5202_NPE-AKL_arr_AKL_(21298873182).jpg)
![](../I/m/Air_NZ_Boeing_737_ZK-NGM%2C_Dunedin%2C_NZ.jpg)
![](../I/m/Air_New_Zealand_Boeing_747-219B_(ZK-NZY_528_22724)_(8216794692).jpg)
![](../I/m/Air_NZ_767_ZK-NCJ_(7187582276).jpg)
![](../I/m/Mount_Cook_Airline_BAe_146-300_Wallner.jpg)
![](../I/m/Air_New_Zealand_Fokker_F-27-100_(ZK-BXH)_at_Auckland_Airport.jpg)
![](../I/m/Air_New_Zealand_McDonnell_Douglas_DC-10-30_(ZK-NZP)_takes_off_at_Sydney_Airport.jpg)
In the past, Air New Zealand has flown the following aircraft (not including aircraft solely operated by TEAL and NAC, or aircraft operated solely by Air New Zealand Link subsidiaries):[34]
Aircraft | Introduced | Retired | Replacement | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ATR 72-500 | 1999 | 2020 | ATR 72-600 | All taken over from Mount Cook Airline |
Boeing 737-200 | 1968 | 2001 | Boeing 737-300 | Some were taken over from NAC |
Boeing 737-300 | 1998 | 2015 | Airbus A320-200 | |
Boeing 747-200 | 1981 | 2000 | Boeing 747-400 | |
Boeing 747-400 | 1990 | 2014 | Boeing 777-300ER | |
Boeing 767-200ER | 1985 | 2005 | Boeing 767-300ER Airbus A320-200 |
|
Boeing 767-300ER | 1991 | 2017 | Boeing 787-9 | |
British Aerospace 146-200 | 2001 | 2002 | Boeing 737-300 | Taken over from Ansett New Zealand |
British Aerospace 146-300 | ||||
Douglas DC-8-52 | 1965 | 1981 | McDonnell Douglas DC-10 | One aircraft continued to operate after conversion to DC-8F-54 freighter configuration. |
Douglas DC-8F-54 | 1981 | 1989 | None | Converted from DC-8-52 passenger aircraft |
Fokker F27-100 Friendship | 1960 | 1980 | Fokker F27-500 Friendship | Taken over from NAC |
Fokker F27-500 Friendship | 1975 | 1990 | Boeing 737-300 | Some were taken over from NAC |
Lockheed L-188 Electra | 1959 | 1972 | Douglas DC-8-52 | Taken over from TEAL |
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 | 1973 | 1982 | Boeing 747-200 | |
Fleet as of 1 April 1978
The following was the Air New Zealand fleet on 1 April 1978, the day the merged Air New Zealand and National Airways Corporation began operating.[35]
Aircraft | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|
Boeing 737-200 | 8 | |
Fokker F27-100 | 13 | |
Fokker F27-500 | 4 | |
Douglas DC-8-52 | 3 | |
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 | 8 | |
Total | 36 |
References
- "Operating Fleet". Air New Zealand. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- "Airbus A320 (International)". Air New Zealand. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- "Airbus A320 (NZ Domestic)". Air New Zealand. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- Bradley, Grant (2 June 2014). "Air NZ buys planes worth $1.6b". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- Bradley, Grant (6 June 2017). "Air New Zealand to go shopping for new ultra-long range planes". The New Zealand Herald.
- "Air NZ commits to taking seven more A321neos". Flight Global. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- "Air New Zealand to defer Airbus A320neo family aircraft deliveries". Australian Aviation. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- Hilsz-Lothian, Aaron (5 November 2018). "Air New Zealand takes delivery of their first Airbus A321neo". SamChui.com. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- "Air New Zealand orders eight Boeing 787 jets for long-haul flights". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- "Air New Zealand orders 8 Boeing Dreamliners with GE engines". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- Mrcaviation (28 October 2019). "3rd Level New Zealand: Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZR delivered and enters service". 3rd Level New Zealand. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
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- Bradley, Grant (4 November 2009). "Air NZ says A320 choice came down to the wire". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- Martin, Josh (2 June 2014). "Air NZ to buy 14 new Airbus A320s". Fairfax Media (via Stuff.co.nz). Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- Bradley, Grant (24 April 2015). "Air NZ selects new engines for Airbus fleet". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- Nick Wenzel (3 November 2018). "Air New Zealand adds first Airbus A321neo". International Flight Network. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- "Air New Zealand's first A321neo to take flight". Stuff. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- "Air New Zealand's $100m do-up + video". NZ Herald. 29 October 2014.
- "Air New Zealand leases a Singapore Airlines 777-200ER to cover Dreamliners - TravelTalk NZ". 16 May 2018.
- "Air New Zealand issues 777-200 replacement RFP; adds A321neo".
- "Air New Zealand to invest $100m in fleet upgrade". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- "Air New Zealand to add a dry-leased B777-300(ER)". Ch-Aviation. 17 July 2018.
- "Air NZ orders four more Dreamliners". The New Zealand Herald. 20 February 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
- Bradley, Grant (8 December 2014). "Air NZ adds more Dreamliners to its fleet". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- Anthony, John (11 July 2014). "Air NZ's 787-9 has landed at Auckland Airport". Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- "Air New Zealand operates first 787 service". Australian Aviation. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- Taylor, Ellis (28 February 2019). "Air NZ eyes full 787 operations by September". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- www.euronews.com https://www.euronews.com/2019/01/29/air-new-zealand-flags-weaker-earnings-citing-rolls-royce-engine-issues. Retrieved 8 June 2019. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - "Air New Zealand's 787-9 Rolls-Royce engines dogged by problems". Australian Aviation. 11 April 2019.
- Bradley, Grant (27 May 2019). "Air New Zealand opts for Boeing 787-10s to replace its 777-200s". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- "AirNZ announces multi-billion-dollar investment in aircraft - NZX, New Zealand's Exchange". www.nzx.com. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- "Air New Zealand Signs The Paperwork For Its Boeing 787-10 Order". Simple Flying. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- "LINK off the air waves - Updated". 3rd Level New Zealand. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
- Air New Zealand Company History Archived 21 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- "Air New Zealand History, page 16" (PDF). Air New Zealand. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2018.