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For those who have ever dreamed of catching more than a few winks on an economy class flight, Air New Zealand is about to make that dream a reality. The airline is set to introduce an innovative solution: triple-tier bunk beds, complete with special socks to enhance comfort.
In a move to revolutionize budget air travel, Air New Zealand will soon allow passengers to book four-hour sessions in their new Skynest sleep pods. Touted as the first of their kind for economy travelers, these lie-flat beds promise a more restful journey. However, passengers will be in close quarters with others, so rules are in place—no snacks, strong perfumes, or sharing beds allowed.
These curtained sleep spaces will be exclusively available to economy and premium economy passengers flying on the airline’s brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, starting this November. The planes will operate on the Auckland to New York route, known for being one of the longest commercial flights globally, where passengers endure a grueling 16 to 18 hours in an upright position.
Travelers can secure a spot in one of these private pods for an additional 495 New Zealand dollars ($291), on top of their standard economy fare. The arrangement features six pods in a triple-bunk configuration nestled between cabins, necessitating a close-knit experience with fellow passengers. To ensure a pleasant environment, the airline has outlined specific etiquette guidelines.
One key rule is that passengers must avoid eating in the pods, and they are not suitable for children or additional visitors. This innovative offering from Air New Zealand aims to provide a touch of luxury for those flying on a budget, making long-haul travel a bit more bearable.
“That means solo snoozes only please, no musical nests or tag-teaming,” Air New Zealand’s website says. For those worried about cleanliness, the airline assures travelers that the pillows, blankets and sheets supplied “are all refreshed” between four-hour naps.
Fliers are also required to change into specially provided socks to enter the pod, fasten their seatbelts over their blankets and forgo dousing themselves in any smelly “perfumes or potions.” Passengers will be woken by a gentle change in lighting at the end of their four-hour stint in the bunk – or by a flight attendant, possibly less gently, if they don’t rouse in time.
Each berth is about the length of a regular bed — 80 inches or 203 cm — but the pods don’t leave headroom for sitting up and access “requires bending, kneeling, crawling, or climbing into the space,” the aircraft’s website says. The bunks are 25 inches (64 cm) wide at shoulder height, tapering to 16 inches (41 cm) at the foot of the beds.
Seats or couches that convert into beds in the sky aren’t a new offering for business and first class travelers, but Air New Zealand believes its lie-flat bunks for economy travelers will be a world first.
The offering from New Zealand’s national carrier is the latest from airlines seeking to sell seat upgrades and other add-ons to economy travelers. Air New Zealand first announced the economy beds were in development in 2020.
The airline has increased fares and cut some domestic flights from its schedule in response to increased jet fuel costs during the war in the Middle East. In March, it suspended its earnings outlook due to fuel price volatility and warned that more changes to its routes were possible.
But on one of its longest flights, travelers might finally get some shut-eye — although they should expect snoring, for which earplugs are provided, the airline said.
“Statistically, someone’s going to do it,” Air New Zealand’s website reads. “It might be you.”