In their quest to offer something new and unique to their passengers, most of the airlines focus on high paying Business and First-class passengers. However, Air New Zealand focussing on its Economy class passengers, will offer them a chance to sleep in its innovative Sleep pods on some long-haul flights.
The airline’s new “Skynest” pods will debut on its Auckland-to-New York route in November 2026, on one of the longest commercial flights in the world, at around 17 hours. Skynest will operate onboard the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
The Skynest features six pod-style beds stacked in a bunk configuration between the economy and premium economy cabins, each measuring about 203cm long.
For an added fee of around $408, travellers can swap their seat for a lie-flat bed for a four-hour block, offering a rare chance to get some rest in economy.
Passengers will be given bedding, a privacy curtain, lighting controls, ventilation, and charging ports, as well as a “Nestcessities” kit including an eye mask and earplugs.
But the experience will come with strict conditions. Only one passenger is allowed per pod, bookings are limited to a single four-hour session per person, and travellers must be able to climb into the bunks themselves. Children under 15 are not permitted to avail of this service.
The price works out at roughly $100 per hour, positioning the service as a middle ground between cramped economy seating and the significantly higher cost of business class.
Air New Zealand is globally recognised for innovation and experimentation and Skynest is the latest expression of the carrier’s leadership in this space.
Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Nikhil Ravishankar said the concept was designed to make long-haul travel more manageable. “For a country as remote as New Zealand, the journey matters,” he said.
“Skynest is designed to help make that easier. It reflects the practical innovation New Zealand is known for, and shows how thoughtful design can improve the travel experience. 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.” Ravishankar further said.
Bookings open on May 18, with the first Skynest-equipped flights taking off from November 2026, marking the first time economy passengers will be able to sleep in flat beds on a commercial flight.
Developed over several years and tested with more than 200 customers, each Skynest pod provides a quiet, private space with a full-length mattress, bedding, ambient lighting, ventilation and charging ports.
Customers who book an Economy or Premium Economy seat will have the option of adding on a four-hour session. The sessions have been designed around natural sleep cycles to allow time to settle, sleep and wake gradually. Initially, two sessions will be offered on each flight.
In addition, Air New Zealand also offers passengers a lie-flat couch space in the economy, known as ‘Skycouch’, which are a row of Economy seats that convert to a lie-flat couch space.
Skycouch seats are like standard Economy seats, but with adjustable leg rests. You could raise them halfway for a relaxed recline, or all the way up to create a lie-flat couch space.
Skycouch comes with extra bedding, a seat liner and Skycouch kit with an adult/child loop and cuddle belt so you can stretch out safely and enjoy your space in comfort.
The Skycouch seats are 1.55m (5ft 1″) long x 74cm (29″) wide. Skycouch seats are located in some rows within the Economy cabin of Boeing 777-300ER and 787-9 aircraft.
