Air New Zealand is set to revolutionize the in-flight experience by launching the first-ever bunk beds on a plane, called Skynest, in September. These six bunk beds will be available to economy passengers on long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights, both on Air New Zealand's existing wide-body planes and the recently acquired Dreamliners.
Leanne Geraghty, the airline's Chief Customer and Sales Officer, shared that Skynest emerged from research indicating that sleep was a core factor in customer experience. The airline claims to be the first to offer this type of in-flight sleeping arrangement.
Each Skynest bunk is part of a three-pod stack to maximize cabin space, measuring 6 feet 7 inches long and 2 feet wide. This size ensures that even tall passengers have sufficient room to stretch and turn.
Skynest pods will be available for four-hour blocks as an add-on to a passenger's actual seat on the plane. Air New Zealand chose the four-hour duration to enable passengers to experience two REM sleep cycles, with an extra hour for falling asleep and waking up. There will be a 30-minute interval between sessions to allow the crew to clean the pods and change linens.
Air New Zealand has a history of sleep-focused innovations, such as the Skycouch introduced in 2010. Skycouch allows passengers to book three adjacent seats that convert into a bed using a specially designed mattress. Skynest, a more built-out feature, provides a completely separate sleeping space from the passenger's assigned seat.
The pricing for a four-hour Skynest session is yet to be determined, but Geraghty mentioned that pre-pandemic considerations ranged from $400 to $500. Offering passengers the opportunity for quality rest during long flights might prove invaluable, enhancing overall in-flight experience and customer satisfaction.