Air New Zealand has introduced an innovative sleeping pod system tailored for economy passengers on ultra-long-haul flights. The airline has launched bunk-style lie-flat beds on routes connecting New York and Auckland.
These sleeping pods, referred to as Skynest, enable economy class passengers to rest in fully flat beds without needing to upgrade to business class. Skynest comprises six sleeping pods designed in a bunk-bed format, situated between the economy and premium economy sections on Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
Each pod is outfitted with a mattress, pillow, blanket, privacy curtains, ambient lighting, and USB charging ports. Additionally, passengers will receive a ‘nestcessities’ kit, including earplugs, an eye mask, socks, and Aoeta skincare products.
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Each sleeping pod measures approximately 203cm (6.6 feet/80 inches) long, with a shoulder width of about 64cm (25 inches), narrowing to around 41cm (16 inches) at the feet, according to the website.
Skynest duration
Passengers can reserve a pod for a four-hour period to lie flat and rest during long flights that may extend beyond 17-18 hours.
Only one individual is permitted per pod; sharing or ‘double-bunking’ is not allowed. Eating inside the pods or bringing children is also prohibited.
You won’t need to set an alarm for your four-hour sleep duration. When your time is up, the lights within the pod will automatically illuminate to wake you. If you remain asleep, a crew member will gently rouse you.
Following your departure, the crew takes around 30 minutes to clean and reset the pod, changing the bedsheets and pillow covers to prepare for the next passenger.
Skynest price
Skynest is an optional service, which means passengers must still buy a standard economy ticket. The cost for pods is anticipated to be around $495 (approximately ₹47,000) per session. A typical economy ticket on Air New Zealand is about $900 (around ₹84,000).
To utilize the Skynest sleeping pod, you will need to pay $1,395 (around ₹1.3 lakh).
“By enabling more people to rest adequately on ultra-long-haul flights, it facilitates a more manageable travel experience to and from New Zealand,” stated Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar.
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Who can book Skynest pods?
Skynest is available to economy and premium economy passengers aged 15 and above.
“You’ll need to enter and exit the nest independently, which may involve bending, kneeling, crawling, or climbing. The upper and middle nests are elevated, while the bottom nests are at floor level, making them potentially easier to access,” the website notes.
Skynest Launch date
Skynest will be incorporated into the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Bookings will commence on May 18, with flights starting from November 2026.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
First Published: Apr 16, 2026 6:31 PM IST
