Air New Zealand Debuts Economy Bunk Beds for Long-Haul Flights

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Air New Zealand will soon offer economy passengers the option to book four-hour slots in triple-tier bunk bed 'Skynest' sleep pods on its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft servicing the Auckland to New York route. The lie-flat beds, a first for budget air travelers, will cost an additional $291 on top of economy fares, but come with strict rules around snacking, smells, and sharing the compact berths.

Why it matters

As one of the world's longest commercial flights at 16-18 hours, the Auckland to New York route has long presented a challenge for economy passengers forced to sit upright for the marathon journey. Air New Zealand's new Skynest sleep pods aim to provide a more comfortable in-flight experience for budget travelers, though the close quarters and rules around etiquette may present some challenges.

The details

The Skynest sleep pods will feature six berths arranged in a triple-bunk style layout between cabins. Each pod is about 80 inches long and 25 inches wide at the shoulders, tapering to 16 inches at the foot. Passengers must change into provided socks to enter the pods and are forbidden from snacking, using strong perfumes, or sharing the berths with others. They will be woken either by a gentle change in lighting or by a flight attendant if they don't rouse in time after their four-hour slot.

• Air New Zealand will open bookings for the Skynest sleep pods in November 2026.
• The Skynest pods will debut on the airline's Auckland to New York route starting in November 2026.

What’s next

Air New Zealand will begin accepting bookings for the Skynest sleep pods in November 2026 ahead of their debut on the Auckland to New York route.