Air New Zealand introduces bunk beds for economy passengers

Air New Zealand is launching an innovative way for economy passengers to sleep on long-haul flights with bunk beds on board.

The airline will open bookings next month for its “Skynest” seats, which will allow economy class passengers to lie flat on flights.

These will debut on select ultra-long-haul flights between New York and Auckland, on sale from May 18, 2026, with travel from November.

Beds on planes are nothing new – almost every airline that operates long-haul journeys provides upper-class passengers a seat which can be adjusted into a bed.

While bunk beds existed in various forms on flights in the early days of air travel, Air New Zealand will be launching a more modern approach that is not limited to upper-class travellers.

The six lie-flat pods in a bunk-style layout will be introduced on the airlline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that will take flight in November.

The pods will provide a private space with full-length mattresses, bedding, ambient lighting, a privacy curtain and charging ports.

Unlike upper classes, these pods will only be available in four-hour sessions, allowing for a mid-flight nap rather than a sleep that spans the entire journey.

Customers who book economy or premium economy seats will be given the option of adding on a four-hour session.

Initially, two rounds of sessions will be offered on each flight, priced from $495 NZD (£215) per session.

Water will be the only drink allowed in the nests, and snacks are not permitted.

Alongside a bedding change between each session, passengers will also receive a “nestcessities” kit including an eye mask, earplugs, socks and Aotea skincare.

Skynests are only available for passengers aged 15 and over, and people will need to be able to get in and out of the bunk by themselves, which may involve bending, kneeling, crawling or climbing.

Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said that “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”.

He added: "For a country as remote as New Zealand, the journey matters. Tourism is a $46 billion NZD 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.”

The Independent