en.Wedoany.com Reported - Air New Zealand unveiled the first details of its Boeing 777-300ER fleet cabin upgrade on July 15, as part of a broad initiative to enhance the flying experience. Announced on July 15, 2026, the plan will replace the business and economy class interiors of the 777-300ER fleet, bringing them closer to the same cabins already operating on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O'Brien stated that this investment aims to maintain the product's current and future competitiveness while addressing maintenance and production costs associated with the aging cabin interiors. The new cabins will feature a unified look and style with the retrofitted Dreamliners, aligning with the airline's consistent service standards.
The redesigned business class will introduce Collins Elevation seats with a forward-facing reverse herringbone layout, offering passengers more personal space and privacy. The new cabin features 44 seats with 43-inch pitch, convertible into lie-flat beds. Each seat is equipped with a door for added privacy, and middle seats include a sliding privacy divider. The entertainment system features 18-inch screens, supporting Bluetooth audio connectivity and USB A and USB C ports.
Economy class will also see significant updates, featuring new ZIM ergonomic seats and upgraded entertainment screens throughout the cabin. The new economy class has 246 seats, an increase of two from the current configuration. Economy Stretch seats offer 35-inch pitch, while standard economy seats have 31 to 32-inch pitch. Each seat is equipped with a 13-inch screen, supporting Bluetooth audio connectivity and USB C ports. Premium economy remains unchanged as it was refurbished over the past year.
The first retrofitted aircraft is scheduled to begin in March 2027, with the upgraded plane expected to re-enter service in May 2027. The overall passenger accommodation layout remains at 342 seats, with minor adjustments: two premium economy seats will be removed, reducing that cabin's total to 52; while two economy seats will be added, increasing that cabin's total to 246, including 16 rows of Skycouch seats.
