Air New Zealand is set to launch its much-anticipated Skynest in September this year. The Skynest is a six-pod configured sleep zone and is available for economy-class passengers to book four-hour sleep sessions.
The airline will begin installing the bed option on its extra long-haul flights, beginning with flights from New York and Chicago to New Zealand, with plans to expand to European and Asian flights.
Passengers will be able to book the Skynest option from NZ$400-$600 (R4 580-
R6 870). The combined cost of an economy seat and a sleep session for a flight from New York to Auckland starts from around NZ$1 600 (R18 320) – this is still less than the carrier’s premium economy class on the same flight, from around NZ$2 800 (R32 060).
Bunks include USB charging ports and ventilators, as well as a modified seatbelt for turbulence. Linens will be changed in between sessions, and passengers will be woken at the end of their session by a soft light.
The airline removed five economy-class seats to install the Skynest, which will be located between economy and premium-economy cabins.
