Air New Zealand's first Boeing 787-9 for the Auckland-Shanghai route arrives at Pudong International Airport on Nov 5. [Photo/Shanghai Airport Authority]

Air New Zealand (NZ) has completed its first Boeing 787-9 flight on the Auckland-Shanghai route, with the arrival of Flight NZ289 at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 7:10 am on Nov 5.

The 787-9 Dreamliner of Air New Zealand, with its all-black exterior, is configured with 302 seats in three class cabins: 18 lie-flat seats in business premier class, 21 in premium economy class and 263 seats in economy class. Air NZ is the world's first carrier to take delivery of the 787-9 Dreamliner and also the first to operate the new Dreamliner on international routes.

In addition, Pudong Airport plans to have more direct flights to Auckland with the increasing popularity of New Zealand tourism in recent years.