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World-first for Air New Zealand as new Dreamliner lands

The world's first operational Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has landed safely at Auckland airport.

World first for Air New Zealand as it takes delivery of the most hi-tech commercial aircraft available. Source: 1 NEWS

Air New Zealand is the first airline in the world to get its hands on the new Boeing 787-9, described as the most high-tech commercial aircraft in the world.

It promises to be cheaper to operate and more eco-friendly, with added comfort for passengers.

It is the first of 10 new Dreamliners to join Air New Zealand's fleet and will operate its first scheduled commercial route between Auckland and Perth in October, followed by services to Shanghai and Tokyo later this year.

However it's been quite a wait for the airline, who ordered the plane back in 2004 for a 2010 delivery. Production delays and technical problems pushed back delivery of the plane to this year.

Boeing says the Dreamliner uses 20% less fuel and creates 20% fewer emissions than similar aircraft its size.

Air NZ CEO Christopher Luxon says the delivery of the 787-9 is the start of an exciting new era for the airline.

On Wednesday more than 1000 Boeing employees joined Air New Zealand representatives, VIP guests and even The Band Perry for the global launch.

Air NZ captain David Morgan says being on the plane's flight deck was "a career highlight" for him.

Previous models of the Boeing 787 have come under scrutiny in recent years as they were grounded worldwide due to battery issues.

Boeing then stopped delivery of the aircraft early last year amid cases of batteries catching on fire. It has since retrofitted new batteries to older 787s and they are back in use.