Air New Zealand’s Economy Skynest
Air New Zealand has revealed its latest innovation, Skynest, which offers lie-flat bunk beds in Economy.
Tucked between the Economy and Premium Economy cabins of Boeing 787-9 aircraft, Skynest features six individual lie-flat pods arranged in a bunk-style configuration.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar frames Skynest as a strategic move for a nation whose tourism industry depends on people being willing to make the trip. By making ultra long-haul travel more manageable, the airline is effectively lowering the psychological barrier to visiting.
Each Skynest pod is a private, quiet cocoon: a full-length mattress with fresh bedding, a privacy curtain, ambient lighting tuned for natural sleep and wake cycles, personal storage, USB-A and USB-C charging, and a ventilation outlet. There’s even a “Nestcessities” kit with an eye mask, earplugs, socks, and Aotea skincare products.
Sessions run for four hours, which is designed around natural sleep cycles to allow time to settle in, sleep, and wake gradually. Initially, two sessions will be available per flight, bookable as an add-on by anyone holding an Economy or Premium Economy seat.
Skynest is the result of years of development and testing with more than 200 customers. It follows in the tradition of Air New Zealand’s Skycouch, which reimagined the Economy row as a shared flat surface for couples and families. United will launch its own version of the Skycouch next year.
Economy Skynest Details
- Lie-flat sleep pods in the sky for Economy and Premium Economy passengers
- Six individual pods arranged in a bunk-style layout
- Located between Economy and Premium Economy cabins on Boeing 787-9 aircraft
- Four-hour sessions
- Two sessions available per flight (initially)
- Priced around $290 per session
- Available to book from May 18, 2026
- Available on flights from November 2026
Economy Skynest Experience
Each Skynest session includes:
- A lie-flat sleeping pod with full-length mattress
- Fresh bedding including pillow, sheets and blanket, changed in between sessions
- Privacy curtain
- Ambient lighting designed for rest and wake
- Personal stowage and charging (USB-A and USB-C)
- Reading light and ventilation outlet
- Crew call button and in-pod seatbelt
- “Nestcessities” kit including eye mask, ear plugs, socks and Aotea skincare
