FLAG carrier Air New Zealand is set to launch its long-awaited economy bunk beds next year – six years after it first came up with the idea.
Getting to sleep on planes is never easy, particularly in economy cabins, where legroom and comfy chairs are hard to come by.
But from next year Air New Zealand hopes to introduce the world’s first lie-flat sleep pods for economy class passengers.
Dubbed Skynest, it’s set to debut on the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners from early next year.
The pods look like the bunk beds used by flight attendants on long-haul flights or a bed in a capsule hotel.
Each Skynest features six beds, with three beds stacked vertically on either side of a designated area.
A ladder sits in the middle of each stack, giving passengers easy access to the upper bunks.
Passengers will get a four hour slot in which to stretch out, have a snooze and forget about the person in front reclining their seat.
A pillow, a sheet and a blanket, all of which are changed between passengers, are included in each bed.
Each bed will come with its own eye mask and ear plugs, making it easier for those using the service to drift off.
The beds will each have a separate reading light, USB outlet and a curtain for added privacy.
Each Skynest bed will be available to book in four-hour sessions during the flight and is limited to one per passenger.
Passengers travelling in economy and premium economy will be able to book the Skynest.
However, it won’t be available for passengers travelling in business class.
Air New Zealand initially hoped to introduce Skynest in September 2024 but this launch was delayed.
According to AFAR, the retrofit is now underway, with the airline’s bunk beds slated to appear on the 18-hour New York to Auckland flights from next year.
Leanne Geraghty, chief customer and sales officer at Air New Zealand, previously told said: “We know that most people undergo a 90-minute REM (rapid eye movement) cycle.
“So, the four hour block allows them to have two of those REM cycles with time to wind down and then wake back up.
“For those customers that are deep in slumber, the crew will gently wake them as they do every day on our flights when we’re coming in to land after a long-haul flight.”
Air New Zealand say they are the first airline to offer such a service to economy passengers, meaning that unless you’re flying with them, you’re likely to be stuck in your normal uncomfortable seat
Last week, deputy travel editor Kara Godfrey got to glimpse the new business class pods on Cathay Pacific.
Meanwhile, an airline has launched new plane seats you can recline without ever annoying other passengers.
Here's what it's like to fly in Emirates business class...
The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski recently tried out Emirates business class: here’s her thoughts.
The lavish experience begins before you even step foot in the airport, thanks to the free “chauffeur” service (technically just a posh Addison Lee taxi) provided to all business class customers.
I was out of the cab, checked-in and through airport security, making my way to the swish departure lounge in a record-breaking 12 minutes.
I made a beeline for Emirates departures lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3 with showers, a buffet-style restaurant with proper tables, plenty of drinks including champagne, coffee and a cocktail station and free mags and newspapers to devour from one of the many padded arm chairs.
Most people know that the main benefit of flying upper, is not just the space but the ability to keep reclining your seat until it eventually becomes a flat bed, enabling you to get some proper kip on a long-haul flight.
The plush mini pillow, eye mask, blanket and thick “mattress” (essentially a padded topper for your seat), help too.
If you’re not kept busy enough by the endless movies, TV shows and games on the ICE entertainment system at your seat, head to the airplane bar (yes, really), hosted by an air steward that shook up a better Bloody Mary cocktail than many I’ve sampled in many bars back home.
We’ve also revealed Turkish Airlines’ new business class seats – who was named the best European airline by Skytrax.
And Delta has new economy seats as well.
