Air New Zealand has announced the launch of the world’s first airliner with “sleep pods”, allowing economy passengers to have a comfortable sleep on long-haul flights. The airline has named this new feature as “Skynest” and it will be available on their Boeing 787-9 aircraft for flights between Auckland and New York.
Features and Pricing
The “Skynest” offers six full-length lie-flat beds, each with a privacy curtain, USB charging outlets, fresh bedding, and an amenity kit including an eye mask, earplugs, socks, and toiletries. Economy and premium economy passengers can purchase a pod session for an additional 495 New Zealand dollars (£215), on top of their regular seat fare. Bookings for the Skynest will open on May 18 for flights starting from late November. However, passengers are limited to booking only once across the flight’s two sessions and must be at least 15 years old to use the pods.
Design and Usage
The airline has tested the Skynest with over 200 customers and has taken measures to ensure a comfortable and peaceful experience for all passengers. Users are advised not to eat or wear strong perfumes to avoid disturbing fellow sleeping passengers. However, the airline cannot guarantee to stop snoring. Passengers may also have to bend, kneel, crawl, or climb to access the elevated top and middle nests or the floor-level bottom nests.
Benefits and Future Plans
Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar believes that the Skynest is a step forward in supporting New Zealand’s booming tourism industry, by providing a better travel experience for passengers on long-haul flights. The airline already offers “Skycouch”, which allows a whole row of seats to be turned into a flat bed. Other airlines, such as United Airlines and Qantas, have also introduced similar features to enhance the comfort of their passengers on long flights.
In response to the increasing fuel prices, Air New Zealand has recently increased airfares and reduced flight frequency by 4%. However, with the launch of the Skynest, the airline hopes to attract more passengers and make travel to and from New Zealand more manageable. The Skynest is a reflection of the airline’s dedication to innovative and thoughtful design, which has made it a popular choice among travelers.