Summary
- Skynest features 6 flat bunk pods for economy class on long-haul routes.
- Skynest aims to enhance comfort and wellbeing, reducing adverse health effects from long flights.
- Pricing model involves paying extra for 4-hour use but will be shared among passengers.
Air New Zealand's Skynest is the world's first sleep pods, also referred to as bunk beds, in the sky. It offers unmatched privacy and comfort during flights. Last year, the airlines confirmed Skynest's offering on New York and Chicago routes from 2024 as the real game-changer, providing more flexibility to the economy travel experience.
It’s not the first time the carrier has tried to help passengers get a good night’s sleep on long-haul routes. Air New Zealand already offers a “Skycouch” product, a private row of economy seats with footrests that unfold upwards to create flat surfaces, supplied with bedding and pillows. However, curling up on a set of economy seats isn’t particularly new; passengers who have lucked out in a row for themselves have done the same before. But Skynest seeks to offer something radically different.
New boundaries for long-haul economy
- For the economy cabin
- Six pods with fully flat bunk beds
- Primarily for long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes
Air New Zealand’s Skynest is a standalone structure featuring six pods with fully flat bunks designed to offer the first genuine bed product for the economy cabin. As the carrier puts it, passengers can...
“...rest, stretch out and boost their physical and mental wellbeing during their journey.”
In an age where ultra-long-haul travel is increasingly common, the industry must look at ways to make the economy class experience more comfortable.
According to Chief Customer and Sales Officer of Air New Zealand, Leanne Geraghty,
"SkyNest has captured the imagination of a global audience and its uniqueness has already been acknowledged by multiple awards – the latest being a finalist in the Crystal Cabin Awards. We're delighted that customers are as excited about this new innovation as we are. Our extensive research and design process, which spanned five years and 170,000 hours, has resulted in a product that we're confident will revolutionise the in-flight experience for Economy passengers."
While not often discussed, cramped sitting for many hours can have adverse health effects. Flights from Auckland to Houston take about 14 hours, while those to New York are closer to 17, and not taking the opportunity to move around for this length of time can increase the likelihood of developing blood clots. Skynest would help fight this condition, in addition to making passengers feel more refreshed upon landing.
Travelers can purchase their Skynest experience as an add-on to an economy seat ticket, as they currently do with Skycouch. However, unlike Skycouch, you can only reserve a four-hour block rather than space for the whole flight. This structure likely means each bed will be available for three passengers per flight, though we don’t know the price of booking a few hours in a pod yet.
What can we expect from Skynest?
- Pod size: Approximately 79 inches (200 cm) long and 23 inches (58 cm) wide.
- Amenities: Bed linens and pillows (replaced between passenger bookings).
- Privacy: Privacy curtain, reading light, and a USB charging port.
- Booking: Bookable for a maximum of four hours.
- Prices (in addition to the economy fare): Ranging between NZ $400-$600 (US $260-$390)
Fortunately, the opportunity cost of adding six beds in the economy cabin was six economy seats. While a Skycouch add-on for solo travelers can more than double the price, multiple passengers will split the cost of a Skynest bed. The first SkyNest units are expected to debut on select Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner routes in 2024, with initial routes including Auckland to New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Air New Zealand’s most innovative economy class product will debut soon onboard the airline's new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. And while we wait in anticipation of seeing how Skynest performs, we will see that the new airliners will have something in store for all classes. Newly designed premium economy seats offer more privacy and space than before. The most premium cabin will include several Business Premiere seats and Premiere Luxe fully enclosed suites. Travelers to and from New Zealand have a lot to be excited about this year.
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Initial routes featuring Skynest pods
Air New Zealand plans to offer its Skynest pods on some of its longest routes from and to Auckland (AKL). With cabin retrofitting on existing Boeing 787-9 and upcoming ones, the Skynest will initially be featured on:
- Auckland (AKL) New York (JFK): It is one of the longest routes for the airline, approaching nearly 17 hours of flight time.
- Auckland (AKL) Chicago (ORD): Another long-haul route for the airline enabling more comfortable seating in the economy cabin.
- Auckland (AKL) Los Angeles (LAX): While the shortest of the three, it is surely to benefit from the added comfort of SkyNest pods.
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