Air New Zealand is the first carrier to use the larger Dreamliner — Boeing 787-9 aircraft — to fly to Hawaii.

The airline’s initial flight with the 302-seat Dreamliner on its Auckland-Honolulu route was due to arrive this morning. This marks the first time that Air New Zealand is operating the aircraft on one of its North American routes.

The Dreamliner offers an Economy Skycouch, a row of three economy seats with footrests that rise up to the seat level to create a flat space for use as a bed or play area for kids; luxury leather seats with leg rests in Premium Economy; and lie-flat beds in Business Premier on its Honolulu-Auckland route.

Australia-based Jetstar Airways (335 seats) and Japanese-based All Nippon Airways (240 seats) both operate to Honolulu a smaller version of the Dreamliner, the Boeing 787-8. Seating differs because of the interior configuration.

Japan Airlines previously used the 787-8 (186 seats) earlier this year but no longer uses that aircraft regularly on its Honolulu route. It does, however, have two scheduled flights in August with the 787-8 aircraft.

“Introducing this revolutionary new aircraft enables us to offer a superior in-flight experience for customers traveling between Honolulu and Auckland,” said Nick Judd, Air New Zealand Regional General Manager of the Americas.

Air New Zealand, which flies between Auckland and Honolulu four times a week, previously used a Boeing 767-300 (230 seats) on the Auckland-Honolulu route. The airline offers same-day connections to 21 domestic New Zealand and eight Australian gateways.

In Honolulu, Aloha Contract Services is Air New Zealand’s ground handling agent, and Pacific Air Cargo is its cargo agent.

Hawaiian Airlines, which flies between Auckland and Honolulu three times a week on a 294-seat Airbus A330, is the only other carrier serving that route.