Air New Zealand will be introducing what’s arguably the biggest innovation we’ve ever seen in economy, even if only very few passengers will be able to enjoy this. The airline will be introducing bunk beds in economy, which is something we’ve never seen before.
While Air New Zealand first confirmed it would introduce this back in 2022, the airline has now revealed more details about what we can expect, including potential pricing, so I wanted to look at some updated details. Keep in mind that in addition to this, Air New Zealand will be introducing a new business class product as of 2024.
In this post:
Air New Zealand’s Skynest economy beds
Air New Zealand plans to introduce bunk beds in economy — you read that right! With Air New Zealand’s new Skynest concept, there will be a total of six full length lie-flat sleep pods, in a “V” shape. That means there will be three levels of bunk beds.
The beds will be 80″ long and 23″ wide, so they should be pretty comfortable for most passengers. There will of course be a limit of one person per bunk. The bunks will come with bedding, including pillows, sheets, blankets, and privacy curtains. Each bunk will also have a USB outlet, a reading light, a ventilation outlet, and a storage pocket.
This is very similar to the bunks that airline crews have, so essentially Air New Zealand is making this concept available to passengers as well. That’s pretty cool.
Where will Air New Zealand Skynests be located?
Skynests will be installed on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9s, so where will they be located? Well, they’ll be installed between the premium economy and economy cabin. Specifically, they’ll take up the space of two center rows in economy, meaning that six bunks are being installed in the space that would otherwise be allocated to six economy class seats.
As you can see, Air New Zealand’s upcoming Boeing 787-9s are in a very premium configuration.
How will Air New Zealand sell economy beds?
These bunks can’t be occupied for takeoff and landing, so you can’t directly book one of these bunks for the entire flight. Rather the intent is that this will be offered as a buy-up for those traveling in economy or premium economy.
Passengers will be able to reserve the bunk beds for four hour periods (at the end of each session, lights will gently come on, to remind passengers that their time is up). This means that on Air New Zealand’s longest flights, these could each be sold up to three times. There will be a 30-minute turnaround time between each session, so that the crew can change sheets and prepare the Skynest for the next passenger.
While Air New Zealand hasn’t finalized pricing, the airline claims that it’s looking to charge $400-600 for each bunk bed per four hour period. It wasn’t explicitly stated whether that’s USD or NZD.
This will be an interesting experiment when it comes to pricing, as I’m curious if the airline can get economy and premium economy travelers to shell out that much for a bit of time in a flat bed.
It’s pretty impressive that the opportunity cost of each Skynest is just one economy seat. To very briefly crunch the numbers:
- Air New Zealand could sell this product up to three times on an ultra long haul flight
- So in theory you’d think that the airline would want to charge at least one-third as much as an economy fare for this product
- In reality the opportunity cost isn’t quite that large, because it’s rare that every single economy class seat would otherwise be occupied; of course this doesn’t account for the cost to develop and install this product
- Last year when Air New Zealand announced this concept, I speculated that the airline would charge somewhere around $300-400 (USD), so if the above pricing is in NZD then it sounds about right, while if it’s in USD, it’s steep
When is Air New Zealand introducing Skynest?
Air New Zealand will start completely reconfiguring its Boeing 787s as of 2024:
- Air New Zealand Boeing 787s delivered as of 2024 will feature Skynests
- Air New Zealand will retrofit existing Boeing 787s between 2024 and 2026, to add these
- Air New Zealand won’t install Skynests on Boeing 777s
Air New Zealand states that routes to Chicago and New York will be the first to get the Skynests, which makes sense, since these are also the carrier’s longest routes.
Air New Zealand also has Skycouch
While the new Skynest is a huge innovation to economy class, it’s worth noting that Air New Zealand also came up with the Skycouch concept years ago. With this, a row of economy seats can essentially be turned into a couch. This is great for couples, or those traveling with families.
The biggest shortcoming of the Skycouch is the size — it’s only 49″ long, which is 4ft1in. Unless you’re on the shorter side, it’s not exactly a long enough surface on which to properly sleep.
Bottom line
Air New Zealand will be introducing a concept we’ve never seen before in economy, with the introduction of Skynest bunk beds. The airline will be adding six bunk beds to Boeing 787s, with two sets of bunks stacked three high.
You can expect to start to see this product in 2024, and it’ll available on all Boeing 787s by 2026.
What do you make of Air New Zealand’s Skynest?
Personally I do not see hardly any regular economy passengers willing to pay this much. For those in premium economy possibly; in fact they could offer this as an incentive to for those in premium economy. Nearly all regular economy passengers are looking for the absolute cheapest ticket; I know, I am typically one of them! $400 on a ground experience.
All anyone can do is speculate before they actually try it. Personally, my speculation is that a 4 hour nap would be heavenly, if you can schedule it after the dinner service
How will selecting your timeslot work? Do they just assign you a time or do you get to have a say? I could see future price variations based on time - beginning, middle, or end of flight. Seems like depending on the route, people would have a preference. And I wonder how this will work with meals since there really isn't dining on demand in economy.
It gives the crew more work to do, and while sounds like a nice idea equally seems dirty if and not well maintained between passengers. Will be interesting to see if people are willing to pay up for it.
Really neat idea but I'd think these would be better positioned in a 1*2*1 (3 beds 6 beds 3 beds, no normal seated passengers in the mini section with the beds) with a longer sleep window, 5-6 hours or so and simple privacy curtains instead of walls. 4 hours is a bit short to be able to move, get settled, fall asleep, and then wake back up without stressing over the $400-600 you paid for...
Really neat idea but I'd think these would be better positioned in a 1*2*1 (3 beds 6 beds 3 beds, no normal seated passengers in the mini section with the beds) with a longer sleep window, 5-6 hours or so and simple privacy curtains instead of walls. 4 hours is a bit short to be able to move, get settled, fall asleep, and then wake back up without stressing over the $400-600 you paid for a few hours nap. A couple drinks and a sleepy pill (Benadryl, benzo, whatever) costs 1/50th as much and are effective for twice as long. Still a neat idea for sure!
Sleeping for 4 hours seems pointless. Buying an extra space economy ticket and taking a benadryl seems like a better option.
Not a concept I’d be remotely interested in but it could work for some. If not, it would be easy to reconfigure the space into something else. The rest of the redesign of their cabins is fantastic, a huge improvement over the existing options.
The 4 hours wouldn't be worth it. You'd be in deep sleep when it would be time to get up. Better to buy a business class seat.
Business class seat can be 3-4x that of economy + sky bunk upgrade, or even more. I agree that $4-600 is a bit steep for a quick nap but business class fares are out of each for a majority of people flying in economy class
The Guardian is reporting 400-600 NZD:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/10/air-new-zealand-to-charge-over-400-for-a-four-hour-snooze-in-the-sky?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
In today's world and the way society are with each other.................
1. Couples will reserve 2 bunks, and join the mile high club, while others are trying to sleep.
2. Passengers disagree as to who is on the bottom bunk and who is on the top bunk. An argument starts.
3. Passenger refuses to wake up and leave the bunk when time is up.
4. Who controls the temperature in the...
In today's world and the way society are with each other.................
1. Couples will reserve 2 bunks, and join the mile high club, while others are trying to sleep.
2. Passengers disagree as to who is on the bottom bunk and who is on the top bunk. An argument starts.
3. Passenger refuses to wake up and leave the bunk when time is up.
4. Who controls the temperature in the bunk room. Is it "ONE" control or individual controlled per bunk.
5. Has the pillow been drooled on and who changes the sheets.
**Poor Flight Attendants has yet another job to do..........monitor the bunks.
Don't forget those resorting to a little self love because if I hear yes yes yes I'm out of there
1. Unlikely. Anything can happen on a plane. The same could happen in F and J enclosed suites, yet airlines have had no problems rolling these out. Why single out these bunks?
2. That can be solved by a system that allows you to reserve a specific bunk in advance.
3. That could be a problem... just as people refusing to wake up when it's time to land is sometimes a problem. Yet...
1. Unlikely. Anything can happen on a plane. The same could happen in F and J enclosed suites, yet airlines have had no problems rolling these out. Why single out these bunks?
2. That can be solved by a system that allows you to reserve a specific bunk in advance.
3. That could be a problem... just as people refusing to wake up when it's time to land is sometimes a problem. Yet FAs deal with it.
4. Who controls the temperature in the cabin in general? Do we have fights about it now?
5. FAs change the sheets, that was clear from the article.
6. FAs have additional work - Oh dear, yes, we certainly wouldn't want the flight attendants to have to interrupt their important mid-flight tasks of magazine reading and chatting in the galley, would we? Don't take my snark the wrong way - I have a great deal of respect for cabin crews - but the middle of a long flight over the Pacific is generally a pretty quiet time for FAs. This seems like a pretty simple additional task, especially given the small number of bunks per plane.
Will there be problems with 'kicking people out after four hours"?
I have to believe the 4-hour limit is more about cannibalization of premium economy or business class. Surely Y seat + 1200 is a fraction of what they charge in C. Does feel like they've only taken this halfway. Why not make the bunks fold so that seats could be certified for take-off/landing? This could replace the entire middle section, bringing a premium for previously the least desired seats on the plane.
Folding seats is a pretty
The renderings show no way to climb to the 3rd floor.... knowing that the beds are at least 70cm apart.
I think this design will be very beneficial toward intercontinental A330s, below 8 hrs, they can be sold to economy passenger while above that, they can be used as crew rests as 330s otherwise don't have an overhead crew rest.
I am not sure I would be able to sleep knowing that I have spent 400$ only to do that and a 4 hours timer is metaphorically ticking in my head. Too much pressure, too much anxiety. At least in business class you can enjoy the complete package.
No thank you. The bunks are just too close together. With the crew, at least you are familiar to one another. And four hours would be an awkward amount of time for sleep. By the time you drop off they're waking you up. I foresee many unpleasant problems
I could foresee designating women only bunks for the very top or bottom level.
The NZ press is quoting NZD400–600 (https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/131993022/500-for-a-fourhour-snooze-air-new-zealand-reveals-skynest-details). So, that's about USD300-400.
Seems like some clever innovation. Kudos to AirNZ for trying something new.
Yeah, people are going to fart and snore, and 4h parts are just way too short, especcially given the price.
Whereas in business class, with someone sleeping 2 or 3 feet away from you, no one farts and snores?
In a round about kinda way almost all long haul airlines will have an idea of how this could work on their aircraft - they just have to look at the crew rest areas which is exactly what these Air NZ bunks look like.
When we take crew rest it is done in groups and everyone in that group starts and finishes their bunk rest at the same time which is the only way it...
In a round about kinda way almost all long haul airlines will have an idea of how this could work on their aircraft - they just have to look at the crew rest areas which is exactly what these Air NZ bunks look like.
When we take crew rest it is done in groups and everyone in that group starts and finishes their bunk rest at the same time which is the only way it will work for passengers too. If everyone in there had their individual four hour time slot it would just disturb the rest of the other sleeping passengers.
Its actually easy. We receive our bunk rest start time in advance. We get ready for bed. Lights go out. When the bunk rest is over, an on duty crew member comes down, turns the lights on, wakes everyone. There's then a changeover period (usually 15-20min) for the group in the bunks to get themeselves together, leave the bunks, bedding is changed.
Then the second group repeats. Easy.
Could they not install this on their 777s where the crew rest is above the cabin (essentially ’extending’ the crew rest area) and then there’d be no opportunity cost at all?
It could be done but the problem with this is that it would come at the cost of overhead locker space.
As an FA I can not tell you that finding room for everyone's bags in economy during boarding is one of the biggest challenges of the whole flight. Fact is, legacy airlines allow way too much on because it puts them at a competitive disadvantage if they don't.
The fact that 777's seating...
It could be done but the problem with this is that it would come at the cost of overhead locker space.
As an FA I can not tell you that finding room for everyone's bags in economy during boarding is one of the biggest challenges of the whole flight. Fact is, legacy airlines allow way too much on because it puts them at a competitive disadvantage if they don't.
The fact that 777's seating went from 8 abreast to 9 abreast and the 787 from 8 abreast to 9 abreast only exasperates the problem - more passengers than the aircraft was originally designed for, so more bags yet same overhead locker space.
Typical Air New Zealand marketing bullshit.
I actually think it's quite nice for Air NZ to try and innovate at the back, better than most other airlines, it may not be the best innovation eventually, but at least they dare to try.
yeah not so sure about the security and cleanliness etc perspective...
On old submarines they had 'hot' bunking...! :-|
This just proves that everything old is new again! When I first flew across the Atlantic in 1954 (the flight was 17 hours) on TWA , they offered bunks 2 tiers on both sides of the single aisle super constellation. Those bunks were converted to regular seats by the cabin crew. They looked just like the Air NZ prototype.
It's a good idea, but I don't think 4hours is enough. I think they should do some research on that.
Yeah, but did they have USB ports?
When I flew TWA in the 1950´s they didn´t have USB ports but they did offer really fast wifi.
@Airfarer - These are actually New Zealand Flight Attendants not Americans so it’s no problem when service is required
Fantastic, Kiwi Ingenuity from the National Airline!
I'm not sure about the practically of multiple users, changing bedding, and cleaning between sleep shifts during a flight but I am very interested to see how this develops.
Any development to improve the flight experience without the prohibitive cost of a full upgrade is a good thing.
These look like the triple level bunks on overnight 2nd Class European trains that I have taken. If the price in cash/miles is reasonable, I would definitely pay.
So much unused space above the passenger seats on wide bodies. use that space also
It will be tricky timing the 4-hour sleep sessions with the rigid economy class meal service times.
My guess is they'll adapt service for that
This will be a good concept when aircraft also have a seat that makes you mostly stand. The seat would almost be like a bicycle seat. That will allow very high density. The bicycle seat passenger would then move to the bed for the flight until landing.
Hopefully your fellow bunkmates don't snore or fart.
People scream for innovation on here, they get it, and pick it to pieces hahah.
Give NZ credit. They truly have tried to make Y and PE travel better over the years. Better to try and fail, than to never try. I feel it will be a success, and if not, then they can convert it to seating or a lounge area for Y.
They are offering regular Y, Y with more legroom, Skycouch, and this. 4 different types of seating options in Y alone...c'mon, that is something to applaud.
Innovation is only as good as practicality. And this is a ripe for the picking as a mess of issues. I can't wait to see and hear the drama that unfolds.
Can't help but feel the idea is half-engineered to what its full potential could be. The middle bunk (if at proper height) could have a "reverse-Singapore business class bed" which converts the bunk into "jump seats" for taxi, takeoff, and landing. 3 of these on each side of the aisle and you just broke even on seating loss.
As for storage space, why not have bins over the foot end of the bed? Even...
Can't help but feel the idea is half-engineered to what its full potential could be. The middle bunk (if at proper height) could have a "reverse-Singapore business class bed" which converts the bunk into "jump seats" for taxi, takeoff, and landing. 3 of these on each side of the aisle and you just broke even on seating loss.
As for storage space, why not have bins over the foot end of the bed? Even with those it would still be way more spacious than a J cabin footwell
Economy getting the class leading innovation, must be the highest yielding cabin for Air NZ. New biz cabin looks very 2015 innovations, the only top standard bit is in limited supply at the front. Looks like they could not afford to do the whole biz cabin of the same quality. And at the prices they charge, it is not a great development.
If six of these take up the same space as six seats, then find a way to make/certify these as the damn seats for the whole flight and swap 50%, hell, make it 100% of the cabin out.
If I could lay down on this, look at my ipad/drift/sleep and wake up at the other end of a long haul, I'm all for it, and I'd actively choose this simplicity over J.
Yes - four hours is not enough to make me consider - but for the whole flight I'm on - just regard the flight as an opportunity to catch up on sleep.
I have been wanting this, and thinking it could somehow be done in Economy, ever since I travelled "hard-sleeper" on Chinese trains in the 1980s - 20 * 3 horizontal benches.
Perhaps the way to make this work (as Premium Economy) -...
Yes - four hours is not enough to make me consider - but for the whole flight I'm on - just regard the flight as an opportunity to catch up on sleep.
I have been wanting this, and thinking it could somehow be done in Economy, ever since I travelled "hard-sleeper" on Chinese trains in the 1980s - 20 * 3 horizontal benches.
Perhaps the way to make this work (as Premium Economy) - to have standing spaces (with harnesses) for take off and landing - if made for only thirty minutes then they could actually be better for safety than seating - I am thinking evacuation quicker because passengers are already standing, and carry-on would be prohibited from those areas (if not overhead bins, leave it on your bed).
If 6 beds take up space currently used for 6 seats then add the standing room for takeoff and landing at say 60% of the space for economy seating, and charge (as common now) 75% extra.
If you look at the seat map, its more like 9 seats in reality, since they are taking some galley space.
That's never going to happen though. If you fly if J or F you can't even have your seat reclined during takeoff and landing. ( I don't know you so no idea if you've experienced such cabins to know the following...). There's a specific button on the controls to put said seat into the correct position for those parts of the flight and that's because you cannot get out your seat, on your feet and...
That's never going to happen though. If you fly if J or F you can't even have your seat reclined during takeoff and landing. ( I don't know you so no idea if you've experienced such cabins to know the following...). There's a specific button on the controls to put said seat into the correct position for those parts of the flight and that's because you cannot get out your seat, on your feet and down the aisle quick enough from a reclined position let alone laying down. This isn't my opinion it's the scientifically proven data from countless attempts over the years to make such seats/ suites "evac compliant" . It's never come even remotely close.
Now that's with one seat in one space. Let's add 3 of them into one vertical space. Who do you think dies 1st. The person on the top bunk who can't get out of it coz 2 other people are in the only space or the person in the bottom bunk who was knocked unconscious by the top bunk jumping down and landing on their head. Oh wait they're in a V shaped configuration so let's double that all up and have 6 people in a vertical space designed for 2.
There's no point saying well they can go back to their normal seat either coz A. You've just suggested the entire cabin is designed this way and B. The thing about emergencies is that they can just happen and not allow you the luxury of going back to said seat if the cabin was your other suggestion of 50/50.
Not to mention of course the fact that an "all bed economy config" is about as appealing to an airline as having razor blades pushed up your nether regions. If everyone can lay flat for $400 instead of $4000 how do you think they're going to sell those higher cabins which btw heavily subsidies the economy/ leisure fares in the 1st place.
PAL used to have beds certified for take off and landing ex USA on their 742's upper deck, back around 1980
BTW... how does one get to the top bunk? I didn't see a ladder any where.
Sounds OK on the surface but the devil is, as usual, in the details. The passenger attendants are going to change sheets and pillow cases when it's tough enough now to get them to bring you a glass of water? Does all sleep time begin together or do I get woken by some lug climbing into the top bunk. And some issues I dread to mention.
NZ flight attendants actually work, so it shouldn't be an issue.
Oh this is going to be the center of all sorts of drama. The perfect fodder for bloggers. Expect sexual assault, perverts, fornicating couples, and all sorts of nasty hygiene issues. My prediction is the ANZ will come to its senses and never actually install them. Or, if they do, remove them within a month.
How is this any more prime for sexual assault or perverts than a lay flat bed in business class?
And I highly doubt they will be completely unmonitored to let a couple freely fornicate, especially with a single occupancy limit.
Have you looked at the layout? This is not business class, lol. It's more like Night trains in Europe in a shared compartment. And even they are now offering women only shared options.
"now"
That was standard in the distant past, although some operators may have relaxed the rule at some stage.
I think the point that "sexual assault" could just as easily happen in a business class 2-2-2 or 1-2-1 configuration, as any pervert could just reach over. I see no evidence that the risk of sexual assault would be higher with this bunk bed concept
I do appreciate the innovation & investment here, especially in economy. Change out the sheets & pillows. Maybe a quick wipe down. Get the airflow correct & adaptable. I would wipe down the hard surfaces for sure, even if the crew does so. If this is done correctly, I would book the upgrade & can see other long haul airlines copy cat this.
Air NZ is a good “test bed” for this sort of thing as a boutique long haul operator. Curious to see what they learn in practice.
FAs will probably have to wake / kick out people who oversleep their time.
Like everything else on aircraft, these will not be cleaned and will become disgusting.
I can also see disagreements, arguments and the occasional perv occur.
@Ben, did you post about this before? I could've sworn I'd read about this concept several months/years ago, even if it was speculation.
Finger crossed you're not booked in with a snorer
Very brave concept… not sure who wants to spend real money for the privilege of being woken up after three-ish hours shuteye, or who’d want to be the second person in an slept-in but not thoroughly cleaned bed.
I wonder whether they’ll pivot to selling it for the full flight or at least half flight. Otherwise, I’d get better sleep in regular upright seat
I imagine they will change the sheets on the bed between uses...
I feel like there is definitely a market for this from people that don't want to shell out thousands extra for a business class seat but would like to get sleep in a flat bed for some of the flight. Air New Zealand has plenty of very long haul flights and I can definitely see this being popular.
I'm betting twice per flight. For a 16 hour flight (minus 2 hours at each end), that sounds about right.