Christopher Luxon, CEO of Air New Zealand has confirmed Thursday Auckland-Perth will be its first scheduled Boeing 787-9 route when the airline takes delivery of the aircraft next year.

The 787-9 Dreamliner of Air New Zealand will be configured in three-class cabins: Business Premier, Premium Economy, and Economy - including the unique Kiwi designed Economy Skycouch.

The Dreamliner will feature 18 lie flat seats in Business Premier class, 21 in Premium Economy and 263 seats in Economy, including 14 Skycouch rows. All customers will benefit from the Boeing 787-9s larger windows, cleaner cabin air, higher humidity and lower relative cabin pressure.