Boeing is to deliver the first 787-9 Dreamliner to Air New Zealand in December 2010. Boeing and ANZ, along with engine-maker Rolls-Royce, held a ceremonial signing in which ANZ converted its original order for four 787-8 airplanes to four 787-9 airplanes.

“Being the first airline to introduce the 787-9 aircraft will enable Air New Zealand to provide a superior, first-to-market experience for our customers and is a most desirable position for us to be in given the unprecedented sales success of the Boeing 787 model,” said Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe.

The 787-9 is capable of carrying 250-290 passengers on routes of 8,600 to 8,800 nautical miles (15,900-16,300 kilometers). ANZ selected the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine to power its 787-9s.

“The 787-9 has unprecedented fuel efficiency and economics, which make it an ideal choice for ANZ,” said Roland Ramirez, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales director, Asia Pacific region. “The -9 has all the right attributes to serve ANZ profitably and provide its passengers with a new flying experience.”

The 787-9 is a slightly bigger version of the 787-8 and has a list price of $183 million. Both are super-efficient airplanes with new passenger-pleasing features including an innovative new interior environment with higher humidity, wider seats and aisles, and larger windows.
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