13 April 2023
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
Air New Zealand will debut its new sleep pods for economy-class passengers this fall.
The airline’s newest batch of 787-9 Dreamliners, which features its innovative Skynest product, will roll out in September, per the Washington Post. The product — which the airline first announced shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic brought air travel to a halt in 2020 — will have six sleep pods that economy-class flyers can purchase as an add-on to a regular seat.
AIR NEW ZEALAND
The Skynest features two sets of three bunk beds stacked in an outward-facing, V-shaped configuration.
Further details about the product, including which routes will initially feature the Skynest and its pricing, remain unknown. It’s also unclear if Air New Zealand will sell passengers access to a Skynest bed for the entire flight (minus taxi, takeoff and landing) or if flyers can purchase access in blocks of time, with flight attendants refreshing the space midflight.
The Skynest is Air New Zealand’s latest effort to help its economy-class passengers catch some z’s. The airline will continue to feature its popular Skycouch product — a group of three economy seats that convert into a bed.
“The configuration is ideal for individuals, couples and parents with small children to sleep soundly at an additional cost that remains below business class prices,” per the Washington Post, which noted that the final pricing has not yet been determined as of April 2023.
Air New Zealand did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication. This is a developing story that will continue to be updated.
Related reading:
I flew 14 hours on a ‘couch’ — here’s whether Air New Zealand’s Skycouch was worth it
On board Air New Zealand’s inaugural flight from NYC to Auckland, the world’s 4th-longest
Air New Zealand reveals new Boeing 787-9 business-class seat
Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner.