AirNZ ‘Skynest’ brings lie-flat bunk beds to economy

Flatbeds in economy class? Yes, you read that right: Air New Zealand is adding economy sleeping bunks to its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 

First revealed as a concept in early 2020, and now due to take wing in 2024 on non-stop flights to New York and Chicago, the innovative Skynest makes six railway-style berths available to premium economy and economy class passengers.

Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest bunk beds.

With three tiered bunks on either side, each full-length sleeping pod will include a mattress pad, pillow and soft blanket, with curtains to ensure privacy.

In many ways the Skynest is a passenger adaptation of the ‘secret’ sleeping bunks already used by cabin crew.

Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest bunk beds.

Here’s what we know about Air New Zealand’s Skynest beds 

• each of the six Skynest berths is approximately 203cm (80”) long, with width at the shoulders approximately 58.4cm (23”)
• there’ll be a strict limit of one passenger per bunk
• each Skynest bed will be available for advance booking by premium economy and economy travellers, although Air New Zealand says it’s yet to finalise the cost
• the Skynest beds can’t be occupied during the take-off or landing stages of the flight
• each bunk will be reserved in four-hour blocks – a period which sleep experts claim is equivalent to two sleep cycles (which are typically about 90 minutes) with a half-hour cleaning period when cabin crew will remove and refresh the mattress, pillows and blankets while also wiping down the interior of the pod
• built into each pod is a receptacle for storing personal items plus a USB charging socket and reading lamp
• the economy Skynest will be exclusive to a fleet of ultra long-range Boeing 787s dedicated to deep US routes such as New York, Chicago and Houston

Located at the front of the economy class cabin, the Skynest module takes up space which would otherwise be allocated to two middle rows of economy: but it’s a sacrifice the airline feels will tilt the numbers in its favour as a competitive X-factor on 14-16-hour non-stop flights.

Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest bunk beds.

Skynest is a ‘dare to be different’ play from Air New Zealand, which developed the Skynest in its Hangar 22 research and development centre and proudly touts itself as an innovative airline known for punching above its weight.

The Kiwi carrier has previous form in the economy sleeping game, after pioneering the Skycouch set of three extendable economy seats, which will continue to make an appearance on the Dreamliners, along with extra legroom Economy Stretch rows.

Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest bunk beds.

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran says the Skynest typifies the airline’s ‘tip to tail’ approach to its refreshed long-range flight experience, which is of course crowned by all-new Business Premier Luxe suites.

“We think it’s appropriate to consider the entire plane,” he told Executive Traveller on the sidelines of an exclusive briefing in Auckland.

“As we did the research we knew what customers wanted at the front, but we also knew there was an opportunity to do something different down the back, and that's why the Skynest product is so critical, so you can have a lie down and get a proper sleep if you are doing a long flight…and a lot of flights from New Zealand are long!”

What’s it like in the Air New Zealand Skynest?

So what will it be like in this economy crib above the clouds?

After spending some time in a mock-up of the Skynest during an invitation-only media briefing in Auckland earlier this week.

Executive Traveller was quick to note the bunks will be best suited to passengers of slim-to-average dimensions (or children).

Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest bunk beds.

At just over 2m long, there’s sufficient room for most travellers to stretch out – but there’s a definite squeeze around the shoulders and elbows, with limited space for side-sleepers to do a shoulder-shuffle and easily manoeuvre themselves into position. If you’re a passenger of size, you’ll want to stay in your seat.

Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest bunk beds.

It’s also undeniable that the close quarters of any confined space such as this is going to feel claustrophobic to some flyers, so wearing an eye mask and taking a sleeping pill could be high on your list.

If you really really want a spacious fully lie-flat bed for that 14-16 hour trek, make a beeline for Air New Zealand’s Business Premier business class pods at the pointy end of the plane.

David Flynn travelled to Auckland as a guest of Air New Zealand