Air New Zealand (Auckland) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) have finalized an order for two additional 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $514 million at current list prices. The order, booked in 2014, comes six months after Air New Zealand celebrated the first 787-9 delivery in July.

This order will eventually increase the airline’s fleet to a total of 12 787-9s, which will operate alongside 15 777-200 ERs (Extended Range) and 777-300 ERs.

Air New Zealand is the launch customer of the 787-9 and currently operates three of the aircraft in its fleet. Including today’s announcement, the airline now has nine unfilled 787-9s on order.

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family, offering airlines the ability to grow routes opened with the 787-8. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters), the 787-9 can fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 450 nautical miles (830 kilometers) with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces.

To date, 58 customers around the world have ordered 1,071 787s.

Copyright Photo: Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ZK-NZF (msn 34335) lands at Paine Field after a test flight.

Air New Zealand aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-New-Zealand/Airlines-New-Zealand/Air-New-Zealand