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Air New Zealand will soon introduce flying bunk beds on flights between the U.S. and New Zealand.
Yes, you read that right.
In what will be an industry-first, the airline’s so-called “Skynest” will take to the skies in September 2024.
“Our 83-year history is marked by a commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Leanne Geraghty, Chief Customer and Sales Officer. “Skynest is the latest example, and we’re proud to be leading the way with this world-first cabin feature.”
Here’s more on what it will be like to fly in a bunk bed.
Air New Zealand’s Skynest bunk beds will be available on the airline’s ultra-long-haul routes from Auckland (AKL) to Chicago (ORD) and New York (JFK).
Located between economy and premium economy cabins, the Skynest will be a dedicated sleep zone featuring 6 pods that passengers will be able to use once for up to a maximum of 4 hours per flight.
Spending time in the Skynest will come at an additional cost. While exact pricing is yet to be confirmed, economy passengers who wish to enjoy some lie-flat shut-eye can expect to pay around $400 to $600 extra on top of their original airfare.
While it’s possible to book Air New Zealand flights using points, it’s unclear at this point whether passengers will be able to use points instead of paying cash for their 4-hour stint in a Skynest.
Bottom Line:The Skynest isn’t Air New Zealand’s first foray into providing a more comfortable economy experience for its passengers. In February 2023, the airline introduced Economy Stretch seats on flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Auckland.
With additional amenities such as a full-size pillow, bedding, and earplugs, Skynest promises to provide passengers with quality rest without paying the premium of a business-class ticket.
Bunk beds aren’t a completely new phenomenon when it comes to flying. Flight and cabin crews’ crew rest areas often feature them.
However, for paying passengers in the economy cabin, this is something that’s never been seen before.
Laying flat on a long-haul flight will no longer be a luxury reserved for business class passengers.
Air New Zealand’s Skynest will give its ultra-long-haul economy passengers flying between the U.S. and New Zealand a chance to get some proper rest, and it should be a hit with flyers who struggle to sleep while sitting upright.
We cannot wait to try this for ourselves and give you the full rundown of the experience!
