While Air New Zealand's first Airbus A321neo won't enter commercial service until November 23 2018, the aircraft has already made a brief stop in Australia.

Air New Zealand's first Airbus A321neo is due to land in Auckland tonight after having taken formal delivery of the aircraft last Wednesday.

Air NZ expects all necessary inspections for its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines that power its Boeing 787-9s will be completed within the next 12 months.

Brisbane has welcomed Australia’s first Airbus A321neo passenger service with the arrival of Philippine Airlines’ inaugural flight with the next-generation narrowbody. Flight PR221, operated by A321neo RP-C9930, touched down at Brisbane Airport a little after 0900 on Tuesday after the seven and a half hour, 3,125nm journey from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. This content