A Dual Celebration of Culture, Creativity, and Innovation
Air New Zealand has marked a momentous new chapter in its 85-year journey, unveiling both a striking new uniform collection and the first of its fully redesigned 787-9 Dreamliners. These two milestones signal the airline’s continued commitment to celebrating Aotearoa while delivering world-class innovation to customers around the globe.
Uniform Like No Other: A Celebration of Aotearoa
After much anticipation, Air New Zealand has revealed its brand-new uniform – a bold and meaningful expression of the airline’s pride in Aotearoa and its unique cultural heritage. Designed by acclaimed New Zealand-born fashion designer Emilia Wickstead, with bespoke hand-painted prints from tā moko artist Te Rangitu Netana, the uniform marks a powerful new era of identity for Air New Zealand.
Mr. Greg Foran, Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand said, “For us, this is more than just a uniform; it is a celebration of our people, our culture, and our values. Air New Zealand has never been about standing still or blending in. As an airline, we are all about being bold, celebrating what makes us unique, and celebrating our team members. This new uniform encapsulates everything we stand for – a combination of innovation, rich cultural heritage, and a sense of pride and belonging.”
From the flowing kōwhai-printed “Fine Print – Dress” to the versatile “Collective Thread – Shirt,” every piece tells a story. Netana’s Māori-inspired patterns reflect the land, sea, and spirit of New Zealand, while pieces like the Ie Faitaga, a traditional Pasifika garment, underscore the airline’s commitment to cultural representation and inclusion.
Worn by 6,000 Air New Zealanders globally, the new uniform will undergo in-flight and ground trials beginning May 2025, with full rollout across the airline in 2026.
Designer Emilia Wickstead says the Air New Zealand uniform was a passion project and one that she has always dreamed of working on. “Designing the Air New Zealand uniform has been an incredibly personal project for me. At the heart of it was a deep respect for the heritage and the unique identity of New Zealand’s people and land. It was essential to me that this uniform tells a meaningful story about Aotearoa. I wanted to create a uniform that empowers individuals and inspires pride in all who wear it and see it. For me, good design should always evoke a sense of pride and occasion, and I believe this uniform will do just that.
Air New Zealand also revealed its first retrofitted 787-9 Dreamliner – ZK-NZH – setting a new benchmark in onboard experience and aircraft design. Customers can book seats starting Wednesday, 7 May, ahead of the aircraft’s debut flights from Auckland to Brisbane on Monday, 19 May, followed by its first long-haul to San Francisco.
This retrofit is the first complete nose-to-tail refresh of a 787-9 Dreamliner in the world, the result of 184 days in Singapore and years of design and development. By 2026, all 14 of Air New Zealand’s 787-9s will feature the new cabin layout.
“Our new Dreamliner experience reflects everything our customers told us they wanted – more comfort, better sleep, and intuitive tech,” says Foran. “It’s a physical representation of who we are as a country and as a brand.”
Key highlights include:
Business Premier & Business Premier Luxe: Full lie-flat beds, 24” screens, sliding doors (Luxe), and space for two to dine (Luxe).
Premium Economy: Privacy-focused shell seats with extra storage and comfort.
Economy: 50% larger entertainment screens, innovative storage, and the new “Economy Stretch” option.
Digital Innovation: 4K screens, Bluetooth pairing, mobile control, and picture-in-picture functionality.
The new cabin design blends Kiwi ingenuity and storytelling with world-leading technology to deliver a distinctly Air New Zealand experience on routes including Brisbane, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Rarotonga.
A Unified Vision of Progress and Pride
From the fabric of uniforms to the contours of aircraft cabins, Air New Zealand continues to lead with bold ideas rooted in culture, creativity, and care. These innovations go beyond a simple refresh — they represent a purposeful step toward shaping the future of air travel, reflecting the airline’s identity and its enduring commitment to connecting people with the spirit of Aotearoa, wherever they may be.
