This economy seat converts into a lie-flat double bed
An innovative approach to offering a social space for families flying together.
By David Flynn, August 6 2024
Lie-flat beds have steadily become a must-have for international business class since British Airways launched the world’s first business class bed in 2000.
And while even the best premium economy seats make do with being reclining ‘sleeperettes’, some airlines are looking to add comfort where it’s arguably most needed: down the back of the bus, in economy.
Air New Zealand’s innovative Skycouch transforms a row of three economy seats into, well, a couch, courtesy of an extended footrest panel which swings all the way up to close the gap against the seats in front.
Air New Zealand's Skycouch economy beds.
The Kiwi carrier is also adding bunk beds to the economy cabin of its new ultra-long range Boeing 787s due in 2025, with each of the six Skynest bunks available to book – at an as-yet-undisclosed price – for four hours of lie-flat shut-eye.
Air New Zealand's Skynest economy bunk beds.
More significantly, AirNZ’s 787s are also being upgraded with modern business class suites replacing its narrow 20-year old ‘sleeper shells’ where many passengers face one another like commuters on a bus.
Read more: Air New Zealand’s 787 business class revamp adds ‘luxe’ suites
But stepping back to the back of the bus, here’s a fresh concept that totally transforms the economy travel experience.
This social space concept could dramatically upgrade the economy flying experience.
Conceived by China’s Ameco, it has two of six seats facing one another in a railway-style ‘club’ berth, creating a social space that’s perfect for families or groups flying together.
What’s more, the two pairs of seats closest to the window can be converted into a wide fully flat bed by swinging the leg rests all the way up, with handy storage for cabin bags under the seats themselves.
This social space concept could dramatically upgrade the economy flying experience.
Ameco even suggests a flatscreen TV panel could slide up from concealed housing next to the windows, so that passengers could pass the time with some multi-player gaming or streaming a favourite movie.
This social space concept could dramatically upgrade the economy flying experience.
Before you get too excited, remember that this is just a ‘what-if’ concept… but then, that’s how Emirates’ A380 cocktail bar began.
06 Feb 2021
Total posts 58
That occupies at least as much space as three normal rows of seats, so I would expect the ticket price to be at least 150% of the normal economy fare. Given most people who fly economy do so because they can't afford to go premium or business class, resistance to paying the extra will be significant. And if, for example, four of the seats are booked by a family with young children, who on earth would want to sit in the other two seats if the flight is fully booked ?
An idea that, in my opinion, is not going to take off. Literally or figuratively.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2014
Total posts 124
Plenty of people do not fly PE not for cost saving, but because it doesn't offer enough of a difference to justify the cost. Plenty of my friends fall into this bucket. This could certainly change the equation.
11 May 2018
Total posts 17
Wouldn’t work logistically for the airlines as it has to be 6 people travelling together which is quite rare. Or is it 4 people? Like the air nz skycouch it will be too expensive for economy customers.
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