United Airlines caused a buzz recently when it unveiled its upcoming “Relax Row,” giving economy flyers an option to turn an entire row of seats into a lie-flat bed. Air New Zealand is saying: “Hold our Sauvignon Blanc.”
The Kiwi airline is almost ready to begin selling its own “Skynest”: bonafide bunk beds on a plane. On select ultra-long-haul flights on newly delivered Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the airline will offer economy and Premium Economy passengers a shot at reserving one of six lie-flat pods … for a fee, of course: A four-hour stretch starts at $495.
This new option is expected to go on sale May 18, hitting the skies sometime in November on flights between New York City (JFK) and Auckland (AKL). This could be revolutionary … and it makes sense that Air New Zealand is the first to do it.
That's the same airline that invented the lie-flat economy row concept more than a decade ago – before other carriers like United and Japan's ANA “borrowed” it.
All About the Skynest
Select Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will be outfitted with a pod of six bunks, situated between the economy and premium economy cabins.
Each bunk is:
- 6 feet, 5 inches long
- As much as 23 inches wide, though that tapers down to just 16 inches by your feet
- While Air New Zealand hasn't provided specific measurements, the stacked bunks mean you won't have much headroom in each sleeping space
There's a small set of stairs and handles to help travelers reach the top sleeping pods. The airline explicitly recommends that travelers with any mobility concerns pick one of the lower bunks.
Each sleeping surface is equipped with sheets, a full-size pillow, and a blanket – all of which are replaced between sleepers. There's also USB-A and USB-C charging, some storage, a reading light, and even a “Nestcessities” amenity kit with an eye mask, earplugs, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, and hand lotion from the Kiwi brand Aotea. A sheer curtain blocks out some (though certainly not all) of the cabin light for sleepers inside.
How Much Does it Cost?
That's the $495 question.
A four-hour reservation starts at $495 per passenger, though that cost could (and certainly will) creep up.
Beyond that, Air New Zealand hasn't provided much detail about the process for actually reserving one of these Skynests. Can you add it while you book your ticket or only afterward as an add-on fee? Do you get to pick a time slot? Can you pay up on the plane if you decide you need a four-hour nap on the way to New Zealand?
We're not sure just yet.
Where You'll Find Skynest Bunks
You'll only find these Skynest bunks on new deliveries of Boeing 787-9s starting later this year.
At least at the outset, that limited footprint means these Skynests will be deployed on flights between New York and Auckland. Delays in delivering 787s have pushed back the debut of this fun feature.
Plus, Air New Zealand isn't planning to retrofit its fleet of Boeing 777s to install these bunks, either. All of which is to say: Don't expect to see a Skynest on many Air New Zealand planes anytime soon.
Bottom Line
There's about to be so much room for activities flying Air New Zealand to Auckland.
Years after first unveiling its plans, the airline's Skynest bunk beds are almost ready to begin flying. At $495, it's not exactly cheap … but I'd have emptied my 401K for a four-hour stretch of decent sleep on 15-hour flights. And I'm betting I'm not alone.
All photos courtesy of Air New Zealand
