It’s a well-known fact that New Zealand is far, with a direct flight from New York to Auckland typically taking just under 18 hours. So it is welcome news that Air New Zealand, the country’s principal airline, is launching revolutionary sleeping pods, known as Economy Skynest, on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights—fitted with bunk beds, no less.
That’s right: economy passengers flying ultra-long-haul with the airline can book themselves one of six horizontal bunk beds from May 18, for select flights beginning in November.
The beds come with a mattress, bedding, privacy curtain, reading light, charging ports and amenity kits with eye masks and earplugs, as well as a seat belt, of course, and will enable fliers to “stretch out, lie flat and get a few hours’ proper rest in the air,” so says Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Nikhil Ravishankar. “By giving more people the chance to properly rest on ultra-long-haul flights, it helps make travel to and from New Zealand more manageable,” he added.
Air New Zealand
However, there is a slight catch. Far from being rolled out across all routes, the new sleeping pods will initially only be available on plane rides between John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, and Auckland, New Zealand. Premium and economy passengers will also still be required to purchase an actual seat, with these sleeping pods instead being available for an additional session fee of NZ$495 (about $280 per session).
Per flight, there will be two sessions available. Passengers can only book one slot per flight, and cabin crew will change the bedding, etc, in between sessions, ready for the next group.
It should also be noted that “double-bunking” and sneaking in snacks are strictly prohibited, and passengers are advised not to wear strong-smelling perfume or cologne. Snoring, however, is perfectly acceptable.
Air New Zealand has been developing the Skynest for some years, with the initial news hitting headlines back in 2020. The bunk beds were first piloted in 2024, but will now expand to the new Dreamliners.
The airline already offers passengers what they call Economy Skycouch—ideal for families or those wanting to stretch out on the long flight. With adjustable leg rests and no arm rests in the way, passengers can recline or lay flat across the sofa-like space.
