Skynest requires multiple approvals and each certification has multiple parts.<\/p>\n
EASA and New Zealand\u2019s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have a working arrangement on aviation safety.<\/p>\n
Among other things, it aims to achieve common safety objectives and similar certification systems.<\/p>\n
If modifications on the aircraft were carried out in Europe, EASA approval would likely be required.<\/p>\n
EASA approvals are generally recognised worldwide as being of the highest standard and the agency has acknowledged having resource constraints in recent years.<\/p>\n
An industry source said a higher workload due to the increase in aircraft production and global aircraft backlog<\/a> were factors in that.<\/p>\n The International Air Transport Association in December said longer timelines for new aircraft were impacting long-haul fleet renewal around the world.<\/p>\n But Air New Zealand said Skynest approval from the CAA was progressing well.<\/p>\n Skynest was supposed to launch in December.<\/p>\n Air New Zealand chief customer and digital officer Jeremy O\u2019Brien said the airline chose to put new aircraft to work over summer rather than delay entry into service.<\/p>\n O\u2019Brien said the airline was seeing strong demand for premium travel.<\/p>\n That demand was especially from international visitors coming to New Zealand.<\/p>\n He said thousands of customers would still enjoy the airline\u2019s newest cabins over summer.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll confirm the new launch date for the Skynest once the timeline is clear.\u201d<\/p>\n Skynest aimed to give passengers in economy the chance to lie down and sleep on long-haul flights. <\/p>\n Earlier this month, Forbes magazine named Skynest the \u201cinnovation of the year\u201d for airlines.<\/p>\n It said the lie-flat options for economy passengers were an industry first.<\/p>\n Skynest has six lie-flat pods stacked like triple bunk beds, and each can be reserved for a four-hour session.<\/p>\n Skynest was being sold at $495 for a four-hour session.<\/p>\n It\u2019s understood the airline is contacting passengers who already paid for Skynest and options including refunds will be available. <\/p>\n Two new 787s completed final assembly<\/a> at Boeing\u2019s South Carolina plant in March.<\/p>\n The FAA weight limits added 10,000lbs (4.53 tonnes) to permitted take-off weight and 300 nautical miles (555km) to range.<\/p>\n The upgrade allowed for carrying extra payload on long routes.<\/p>\n The airline\u2019s goal is to get more customers, baggage and cargo across long-haul routes, especially the Auckland-New York service.<\/p>\n Air NZ faces competition on that route from Qantas.<\/p>\n ZK-NZT landed in Auckland last night, the first new Dreamliner to join Air New Zealand\u2019s fleet in seven years.<\/p>\n A second aircraft, ZK-NZS, is expected to arrive in New Zealand on Sunday.<\/p>\n The airline said both new Dreamliners had the latest cabin interiors.<\/p>\n Air NZ started an estimated $490 million retrofit of the aircraft<\/a> shortly before Covid.<\/p>\n Business Premier Luxe seats at the front have extra room with dining space for two people.<\/p>\n In premium economy, a hard shell seat allows passengers to tilt back without impacting the person behind them.<\/p>\n The final retrofitted Dreamliner is expected to be flying by the end of the year.<\/p>\nThe first new Dreamliner to join Air New Zealand\u2019s fleet in seven years arrived this week and a second aircraft is expected to arrive on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand’s new cabin experience on 787-9 Dreamliners will have sleeping pods in a bunk-style arrangement.<\/p>\n