Skynest offers bunk beds between economy and premium economy, which can be booked for four-hour slots on long flights. Initially, there will be two slots per flight, with bedding changed in between sleeping shifts.
The new product, taking the form of six bunks stacked three high, will be available on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which will start flying in November.
“For a country as remote as New Zealand, the journey matters,” said Air New Zealand CEO, Nikhil Ravishankar.
“Tourism is a NZ$46 billion industry, but growth depends on travellers’ willingness to spend long hours in the air to get here.
“Skynest is designed to help make that easier.
“It reflects the practical innovation New Zealand is known for, and shows how thoughtful design can improve the travel experience. By giving more people the chance to properly rest on ultra long-haul flights, it helps make travel to and from New Zealand more manageable.
“Skynest … [offers] a new option for rest on our longest flights,” says Ravishankar.
“It is about recognising that customers value flexibility, comfort and control, and giving more people the opportunity to travel in a way that works better for them.”
Tested on more than 200 customers, the four-hour Skynest booking aims to accommodate natural sleep cycles, with time to settle in, sleep and wake slowly.
Bookings for Skynest open on May 18 and start at NZ$495 per session.
