Air New Zealand to Offer Economy Bunk Beds

Air New Zealand will introduce triple-tier bunk bed sleep pods for economy-class travelers on its long-haul flights between Auckland and New York starting November 2026. The airline's new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft will feature six curtained Skynest pods arranged in a triple-bunk style layout, offering lie-flat beds with privacy curtains and amenities like eye-masks, skincare, earplugs, and socks.

Passengers can book four-hour sessions in the sleep pods for NZ$495 ($291) per person on top of their economy or premium economy ticket prices. The airline has established strict rules for using the pods: no snacking, children, or double-bunking are allowed; passengers must wear provided socks and avoid strong perfumes. Each berth is about 80 inches long but does not leave headroom for sitting up, requiring passengers to bend, kneel, crawl, or climb into the space.

Air New Zealand's Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar stated that providing more opportunities for rest on ultra-long-haul flights helps make travel to and from New Zealand more manageable. The airline first announced the development of Skynest in 2020 as part of its efforts to sell seat upgrades and other add-ons to economy travelers.

The bunk beds will be available on one of the world's longest commercial flights, which leaves economy passengers sitting upright for a marathon 16 to 18 hours. The airline assures travelers that the pillows, blankets, and sheets supplied are all refreshed between four-hour naps. Passengers will be woken by a gentle change in lighting at the end of their four-hour stint in the bunk or by a flight attendant if they don't rouse in time.

Following Air New Zealand's announcement, United Airlines has also unveiled a new seating concept that transforms an entire row into a shared sofa with adjustable leg rests. The carrier will roll out the unique seating concept in 2027, offering passengers a dedicated space to stretch out, sleep or enjoy a movie.