World’s first ‘Skynest’ in Economy

In a truly innovative move, Air New Zealand has announced that from 2024, it will offer the world’s first ‘Skynest’ in Economy. This groundbreaking shift will enable some Economy class passengers to lie flat and sleep onboard the airline’s Dreamliners.

But, there will be only six of these sleep pods on the aircraft.

Air New Zealand’s eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners arriving from 2024 and its retrofitted current 787-9 fleet will have either eight or four Business Premier Luxe seats, 42 or 22 Business Premier, 52 or 33 Premium Economy, 125 or 213 Economy seats, and specifically on the ultra-longhaul aircraft, six Skynest sleep pods.

The Skynests in Economy will be in addition to a new Business Premier Luxe suite and a new Business Premier seat, Air New Zealand said.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran pointed to the airline’s ambition to create the greatest flying experience.

“New Zealand’s location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-longhaul travel experience. We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort, and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive well-rested. Whether they are heading straight into a meeting, or to their first holiday hotspot – they want to hit the ground running.”

“New Zealand’s location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-long-haul travel experience,” said Foran. “We wanted to offer our Economy customers a lie-flat option and that’s how Skynest was born. It’s going to be a real game changer for the economy travel experience.”

The airline has also added a Sky Pantry to its Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Here Pasengers can walk up to grab a snack or a water.

The carrier reports saving around 1kg in weight per Business Premier and Premium Economy seat, by using fabric instead of leather. In Premium cabins, the airline will also switch to serviceware that is 20% lighter. In Economy, the new serviceware will reduce plastic dishes used inflight by 28 million every year.