Air New Zealand will become the first commercial airline to install lie-flat sleeping pods in economy class, with its much-anticipated ‘Skynest’ bunks set to debut on select long-haul routes in late 2024. The six horizontal sleep pods, each measuring 200cm long and equipped with full bedding, will be available for purchase in four-hour blocks during flights.
The $60 million development comes after three years of testing, including a 2022 prototype that garnered over 20,000 customer feedback submissions. ‘This responds directly to what our economy passengers told us they wanted most – affordable horizontal sleep,’ said an airline spokesperson who declined to be named as final pricing hasn’t been approved by regulators.
Aviation analysts note the move could pressure competitors to match the offering. ‘Qantas and Singapore Airlines have explored similar concepts, but Air NZ appears to have cleared regulatory hurdles first,’ said travel industry consultant Mark Johnson, citing unpublished FAA and CAA documents he reviewed. The pods meet stringent safety requirements including rapid evacuation protocols and reinforced fire barriers.
However, the innovation comes with operational tradeoffs. Each bunk occupies the space of three economy seats, potentially reducing total passenger capacity by 8-12% on equipped aircraft. Air New Zealand expects to offset this through premium pricing for sleep sessions, with industry sources suggesting rates between $150-$400 per pod depending on route length and demand.