Starting from 18 May 2026, Air New Zealand travellers will be able to the so-called Economy Skynest bunk beds. The novelty will be introduced with the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft as of November 2026.
Air New Zealand has shared to be introducing the Economy Skynest to its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Economy passengers will be able to book the bunk beds for four hours on end during their flight, offering them the chance to lie flat and get a few hours’ proper rest in the air.
“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. 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,” said Air New Zealand Chief Executive, Nikhil Ravishankar.
Extra comfort in economy
According to the airline, the Economy Skynest has been tested for several years by over 200 customers. Economy and Premium Economy passengers will have the option of adding a four-hour session in the Skynest to their regular ticket. The duration of those sessions has been designed around natural sleep cycles to allow time to settle, sleep, and wake gradually.
All of the bunk bed pods will offer a quiet, private space with a full-length mattress, bedding, ambient lighting, ventilation, and charging ports. Six individual pods will be available on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which will be located between the Economy and Premium Economy cabins.
Initially, two sessions will be offered on each flight. The bedding – including a pillow, sheets, and blanket – will be changed in between every session in order to make the Skynest as hygienic and comfortable as possible. Passengers will also receive a ‘Nestcessities’ kit including eye mask, ear plugs, socks, and Aotea skincare.
Passengers will need to pay $495 NZD (€247) per session on top of their regular fare. Bookings open on 18 May 2026 for flights from November 2026 onwards.
“Skycouch gave customers more choice in how they travel, and Skynest builds on that by offering a new option for rest on our longest flights. It is about recognising that customers value flexibility, comfort and control, and giving more people the opportunity to travel in a way that works better for them”, stated Nikhil Ravishankar.
Skynest offers yet a step up compared to Skycouch, which has been available at Air New Zealand for some time. Skycouch offers passengers the possibility – for an additional fee – to request special footrests in order to turn an entire airplane row into a makeshift bed. The initiative is available to families or passengers with an entire row of seats booked out in economy, or to those who have spare seats next to them.
