Air New Zealand to Offer Bunk Beds for Economy Flyers

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Starting in November, Air New Zealand will offer triple-tier, curtained bunk beds for economy passengers on its 16-hour flights from Auckland to New York. Reserving a bunk will cost an additional $300 on top of the ticket price, but there are strict rules such as no eating, sharing bunks, or wearing strong perfumes. The beds, which don't have enough headroom to sit up, can be booked for 4-hour periods and passengers must wear seatbelts over their blankets.

Why it matters

This innovative offering from Air New Zealand aims to provide economy travelers with more comfortable sleeping options on ultra-long-haul flights, which can be grueling experiences. However, the high cost and restrictive rules may limit the appeal for some passengers.

The details

Air New Zealand's new bunk bed option will feature three stacked beds in a curtained-off pod. Passengers will be able to reserve a bunk for 4-hour periods during the 16-hour Auckland to New York flight. While the beds don't have enough headroom to sit up, the airline says seatbelts must be worn over blankets for safety. Other rules include a prohibition on eating, sharing bunks, and wearing strong perfumes or colognes.

• Air New Zealand will launch the bunk bed service in November 2026.
• The bunk beds will be available on the airline's 16-hour flights from Auckland to New York.

What’s next

Air New Zealand has not yet announced specific pricing or booking details for the new bunk bed service, but travelers can likely expect more information in the coming months as the November launch approaches.