Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Makes Dreams Come True (2024)

One thing I really love about aviation is its charitable streak and the fact that airlines and airports do not feel the need to tell everyone about the good things they do away from the public spotlight. They get blasted from all sides when flights get canceled, bags are delayed, or the beer is not cold enough, but just for a moment, let's look at what one airline has been doing for decades.

The Koru Care Kids

For more than 40 years, Air New Zealand has partnered with Koru Care, a charity that provides memorable experiences for children with serious medical conditions or disabilities. Originally started by a team of Air New Zealand volunteers, Koru Care has grown into a registered charity with four volunteer-run branches around the country.

Photo: Air New Zealand

In those four decades, more than 2,000 children with a range of disabilities and illnesses have flown with Air New Zealand. Those flights have enabled children to see the world, making dreams come true and giving them the chance to create amazing memories that might ordinarily been out of reach.

Koru Care NZ's Tracey Curran said that thousands of kids have enjoyed unforgettable experiences through the airline's support. She added:

Last Saturday, an Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner took to the sky from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) with 50 Koru Care kids onboard, headed for a scenic tour of New Zealand's South Island. The Dreamliner, registration ZK-NZD and MSN 41989, departed at 13:39 and was in the air for 1:34 hours before returning to Christchurch at 15:13.

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Map: Flightradar24

As the map shows, the Dreamliner flew down the center of the South Island, passing directly over the world-renowned tourist mecca of Queenstown before heading further south and turning up the East Coast to fly over Dunedin and return to Christchurch. According to Flightradar24, the flight peaked at 20,000 feet as it neared Queenstown before starting a long descent into Christchurch.

Photo: Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock

Many international tourists visiting Queenstown would pay dearly for that flight, and they certainly would not be doing it from the comfort of an Air New Zealand Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran was traveling with the kids, and he said the Koru Care flight is a much-loved tradition of the airline that provides a small treat for children who aren't usually able to travel offshore due to medical conditions or family situations.

The magic started on the ground

While the 787-9 was the obvious star of the show, there was a wonderful event held before take-off at Christchurch Airport to get the day started. As befits the Dreamliner, this was a day for 50 VIPs (Very Important Passengers), and they enjoyed a pre-flight party themed Around the World in a Day.

Photo: Air New Zealand

There were stations inspired by different Air New Zealand destinations, including New York, Tokyo, Fiji and Sydney. To add more international flavor, there was also themed food, activities and entertainment before getting on the plane. Once onboard, each child received a certificate that revealed a star in the sky had been officially named after them.

The 787 Dreamliner was not sitting idly waiting for something to do, as before and after the Koru Care flight, it operated a mix of international routes. On the day before, it operated a return service from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Papeete Tahiti Faa'a International (PPT), and after the Koru Care flight, it shuttled up to Auckland for a return service to China's Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

With its focus on sustainable aviation, Air New Zealand said it would match the flight's emissions with carbon credits and provide a koha (donation) to projects supporting biodiversity outcomes in Aotearoa.