Air New Zealand’s third Dreamliner has been spotted at Boeing’s Everett factory just outside Seattle as its delivery date nears.
The 787-9, registration ZK-NZG, took its first test flight on Monday November 17. According to flight tracking websites, the test flight lasted 109 minutes, with the aircraft departing from and arriving at Paine Field.
Unlike its all-black sister ship ZK-NZE that is already in service, ZK-NZG features the New Zealand flag carrier’s new standard mainly-white livery also found on Air NZ’s second Dreamliner ZK-NZF.
Air NZ’s first two Dreamliners currently operate from Auckland to Perth and Sydney.
According to schedules filed in global distribution systems, Air NZ was due to commence 787-9 services between Auckland and Tokyo from December 2, while Auckland-Shanghai services were expected to transition to the Dreamliner from December 14.
The carrier operated a one-off 787-9 service to Shanghai on November 4.
Air NZ has 10 of the larger 787-9s on order. ZK-NZG was the final Dreamliner due to be delivered in 2014/15, according to a slide presentation accompanying the company’s full year financial results in August.
