Air New Zealand has long factored sleep into its decisions, coming up with creative solutions to help its passengers find a sense of calm and peace on ultra-long-haul flights (up to 18 hours from the United States). The Auckland-based flag carrier first came up with the Skycouch—three side-by-side economy seats with footrests that pull up to form a “couch”—in 2011, changing the travel game for families with young children, couples, and solo travelers willing to pay for a bit more space.
Starting in early 2026, passengers will be able to try Air New Zealand’s latest innovation: the world’s first lie-flat sleep pods in economy, or the Skynest, set to debut on the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This much anticipated addition to its fleet has experienced a few delays (it was initially set to launch in September 2024), but the airplanes’ retrofit is currently underway. The Skynests will first appear on routes from New York to Auckland.
“We want to create the world’s best flying experience,” Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said in an interview back in 2023 when the Skynest was first gearing up to launch. That extends, of course, to how well you sleep on that long-haul flight.
“Research shows us the first night away from home is the hardest to get a good night’s sleep, so everything we do onboard is to help create a sense of calm—from the lighting and sleep ritual including sleepy teas and balms, to the healthier food choices and breathable fabrics,” chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said in a statement. “Meditative onscreen content, Zentertainment, will also help customers unwind and get ready for rest.”
How Air New Zealand’s Skynest works
Resembling the bunk-style beds used by flight attendants on long-haul flights (or those found in pod hotels), each Skynest features six beds—three stacked vertically on each side of the designated area, with a ladder in the middle to provide easy access to the upper bunks. These pods are designed to allow passengers to recline and nap for a portion of the flight and each one will include a pillow, sheets, and blanket (which are changed between passengers), earplugs, a separate reading light, and personal USB outlet. They also have a curtain for added privacy.
Each Skynest bed will be available to book in four-hour sessions, after takeoff, during the flight, and before landing. Passengers will be limited to one session per flight. This option will be available to both Economy and Premium Economy passengers to book. Business-class passengers won’t be able to book a Skynest pod.
How much will the Skynest beds cost?
In 2022, Geraghty said the Air New Zealand team was “looking at around $400 to $600 for the four-hour period.” During a visit to the Air New Zealand offices in November 2024, representatives told the Afar team that prices for the Skynest still had not yet been confirmed but that they will likely be in the $400–$600 range that Geraghty quoted. This will be in addition to the cost of the airline ticket.
From prototype to reality
The Skynest prototype was first unveiled back in 2020, around the time a new Auckland–New York direct flight was meant to debut. Due to border closures during the pandemic, both were bumped back. The New York nonstop—a nearly 18-hour flight in one direction—launched in late 2024, but the updated Dreamliners, complete with SkyNests, have been delayed until early 2026.
Other updates to Air New Zealand’s aircrafts
Economy isn’t the only part of the aircraft getting some love from Air New Zealand. The new and retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners joining the Air New Zealand fleet are getting updates throughout the entire plane.
All in all, these changes will reduce the total number of seats on Air New Zealand’s aircraft: from 305 to 272 seats on one configuration of the Dreamliner 787-9 and from 275 to 214 seats on the second configuration. But these changes are meant to increase the premium offerings across the board.
Air New Zealand is swapping out the herringbone-style seating arrangement in its Business Premier cabin for pods (similar to what other airlines have adopted in recent years, like United’s Polaris or Air France’s Premiere seats) that will offer a more private experience. Passengers flying together can lower the partition and share their space. But the biggest change with this seat is that passengers will be able to convert their seat to a lie-flat bed without assistance. (Currently, Air New Zealand flight attendants put the beds together for passengers following meal service.)
There will also be an even more spacious Business Premier Luxe option with sleeping quarters with a door that fully closes and space for two to dine. Planes will have 4–8 Business Premiere Luxe seats and 22–34 Business Premier seats, depending on the plane.
The airline is increasing its business seats across both types from 18 to 26 in one configuration, and from 27 to 42 in its second configuration.
The seats in Premium Economy will be given an upgrade, too. There be more of them (up from 21–33 seats per plane to 33–54 seats), and the old seats will be swapped out for newer ones with larger seatback screens, additional storage, and a dedicated area to stash and charge phones.
Even economy seats are getting extra attention. While the standard economy seat will remain at pitch of 31 inches, the team is adding an economy stretch option at a pitch of 35 inches. There will be between 15-30 economy stretch seats available.
Larger seatback screens are coming to the entire cabin, for all seat classes, and all passengers will be able to pair to their devices to them via Bluetooth. The updated aircraft will also feature a Sky Pantry area, where economy fliers can stretch and grab a snack or drink at their leisure.
This article was originally published in 2022. It was most recently updated on February 5, 2025, with new information. Bailey Berg and Jessie Beck contributed to reporting.
