Lie-Flat Beds In Economy Class Will Soon Be Available On This Airline — A World-First And A Dream Come True, Literally - 8days Skip to main content

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Lie-Flat Beds In Economy Class Will Soon Be Available On This Airline — A World-First And A Dream Come True, Literally

These sleeping pods will make travelling in Economy Class a little comfier. 

Lie-Flat Beds In Economy Class Will Soon Be Available On This Airline — A World-First And A Dream Come True, Literally

Travelling in Economy Class — especially on long-haul flights — often comes saddled with a few issues. Cramped legs, stiff necks, and maybe even having difficulty getting some sleep. One airline wants to bring all that to an end for Economy Class passengers by introducing a world-first on its planes.

Air New Zealand announced that it will be launching the Economy Skynest, the world’s first sleep pods in the sky for Economy Class passengers. This innovation, which will surely be a welcome change for folks in cattle class, will be introduced on the airlines’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from 2024.

The Economy Skynest is reminiscent of train bunk beds, albeit a swankier version. Each side features three full-length beds, bringing a total of six sleep pods to allow Economy Class passengers to get some shut-eye.

While pricing for the Skynest has yet to be announced, reports have said that the airline will charge an extra fee on top of the Economy Class ticket price for four hours access to a sleep pod. Bedding will be changed and cleaned for 30 minutes between sessions, according to reports.

The Skynest is not Air New Zealand’s first foray into making Economy Class more comfortable for passengers. The airline currently offers the Economy Skycouch, a row of Economy Class seats that come with a footrest that can be elevated to transform a row of three Economy seats into a couch, allowing passengers to stretch out or even lie down. The Skycouch can be shared among up to three people from the same travel group, and prices vary according to how many people will be using the Skycouch.

Air New Zealand's Economy Skycouch

The upcoming Economy Skynest was first announced in 2020 and will soon become a reality, as part of Air New Zealand’s cabin refresh on the Dreamliners.

Besides the Skynest, Air New Zealand will also be adding a Sky Pantry to the Premium Economy and Economy cabins to allow customers to stretch out during long flights, and grab some snacks and drinks at their leisure. Will it be somewhat similar to Emirates’ Business Class lounge? Only time will tell.

In Business Class, the airline will introduce the Business Premier Luxe seat, which offers a fully closing door and a space for two to dine for more privacy. This is in addition to all the features of Business Premier that the Business Premier Luxe seat will have.

These cabin enhancements will feature in the airline’s eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that are arriving from 2024, and on the retrofitted current 787-9 fleet. Each aircraft will have either eight or four Business Premier luxe seats and six Skynest sleep pods. There will also be 42 or 22 Business Premier seats, 52 or 33 Premium Economy and 125 or 213 Economy seats.

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