Air New Zealand 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2025)
Air New Zealand operates 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on key long-haul routes from New Zealand to the US, Asia and Australia. The fleet is being refurbished in 2024–2025, so you may encounter:
- The original configuration: 27J 33W 215M
- The new configuration: 26J 33W 213M with Business Premier Luxe suites
1. Configurations at a Glance
| Version | Business | Premium Economy | Economy & Skycouch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 27J, herringbone | 33W, 2-3-2 | 215M, 3-3-3 | Zodiac UCS3 inward-facing |
| New (refit) | 22J + 4 Luxe suites | 33W, 2-3-2 | 213M, 3-3-3 | Safran Visa + Business Premier Luxe |
2. Business Premier – Original Configuration
Original 787-9s have 27 Zodiac UCS3 herringbone seats.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Layout | Inward-facing herringbone |
| Seat width | 20" |
| Bed | Fully flat |
| Note | Seats face inward; passengers face cabin rather than windows |
2.1 Best Business Premier Seats (Original)
| Category | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best privacy | A-side window seats (1A, 2A, 3A, etc.) | Face away from aisle; more private |
| Seats to be cautious of | K-side seats | Face into cabin; more exposed to traffic |
3. Business Premier – New Configuration with Luxe
Refitted aircraft introduce 22 Safran Visa seats plus 4 Business Premier Luxe suites in row 1.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Layout | Inward-facing suites |
| Luxe seats | Row 1 (1A, 1C, 1H, 1K) |
| Bed length | ~79" fully flat |
| IFE | 24" 4K display |
| Features | Wireless charging, more storage |
3.1 Best Seats – New Configuration
| Category | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | 1A, 1C, 1H, 1K (Luxe) | Privacy doors, ottoman for buddy dining, extra space |
| Best standard seat | A-side seats | Same facing-direction preference as original layout |
4. Premium Economy (33 seats)
Premium Economy is 2-3-2 in both configurations.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Layout | 2-3-2 |
| Pitch | ~41–41.5" |
| Width | 19" |
| Recline | ~8" |
| Features | Leg rest, foot rest, privacy wings |
4.1 Best Premium Economy Seats
| Category | Seats / Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best legroom | Front row | Extra space; good for taller travellers |
| Best for couples | Window pairs | Two seats together with minimal disturbance |
5. Economy & Skycouch
Economy is 3-3-3, with Skycouch and Economy Stretch options.
5.1 Skycouch
A row of three Economy seats that can be turned into a 61" couch/bed. Ideal for families with small children or couples who want to lie down.
5.2 Best Economy Seats
| Category | Seats / Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best for families | Skycouch rows | Allows lying flat with children |
| Best legroom | Economy Stretch rows | 35" pitch; most comfortable on 12+ hour flights |
| Seats to avoid | Last rows; windowless seats | More noise, limited recline, or no view |
6. Summary – Best Seats Overall
| Cabin | Best Seats / Areas | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Business (original) | A-side window seats | Face away from aisle; more privacy |
| Business (new) | Row 1 Luxe suites | Doors, extra space, ottoman for dining |
| Premium Economy | Front row; window pairs | More legroom; good for couples |
| Economy | Skycouch rows; Economy Stretch | Ability to lie flat or enjoy 35" pitch |
7. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm on a refitted 787-9 with Luxe suites?
Check the seat map: if you see four special seats in Row 1 labelled as Business Premier Luxe, you're on the refitted aircraft.
Is Skycouch worth it for couples?
If you value the ability to stretch out horizontally on long flights, booking a full row of three seats as a Skycouch can be very worthwhile.
Which Economy seats have the most legroom?
Rows sold as Economy Stretch provide around 35" pitch, significantly more than standard Economy.