The future of airline economy comfort looks a lot like a hostel dorm — but much more expensive.
Air New Zealand on Tuesday unveiled a one-of-a-kind sleeping option called the “Skynest” that will let economy and premium economy passengers pay extra to sleep in bunk beds on its longest flights.
It offers a taste of business-class comfort without the multi-thousand-dollar price tag, reflecting the industry’s push for premium revenue as passengers shell out for more comfort across all cabins.
The two sets of three high bunks will be installed on ultra-premium Boeing 787s. Passengers can book one of two four-hour blocks for $495 per person, on top of the standard coach fare, and will be limited to one session per flight.
Skynest will complement ANZ’s “Skycouch” — a row of three coach seats with flippable legrests that create a wide sleeping surface — which is already available on long-haul flights like Auckland to New York, Tokyo, and Shanghai.
“Having two lie-flat options in economy class, I think one is unheard of — now we’ve got two options,” ANZ CEO Nikhil Ravishankar said at an event in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday.
ANZ connects Auckland and the South Pacific to US cities like New York, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. That ultra-long-haul strategy has driven its focus on developing sleep options.
For now, the Skynest will only be on New York flights. Tickets go on sale May 18 for travel beginning in November, though the exact flight dates are still unclear. Qantas also operates the route, but doesn’t offer beds in economy.
I was among the reporters invited to preview the Skynest before the tickets went on sale. It looks quite compact from the outside, but it felt cozy once I crawled into the pod.
The curtain’s promise of privacy and darkness would make it easy to sleep. And, at 5’3″, I fit with room to spare. It reminded me of the capsule hotel I once booked during a long layover in Tokyo.
While four hours likely won’t be worth it for many passengers — especially taller ones who may feel snug — I’d pay for the nap on an outbound flight to help with jet lag. I’d stick with a regular coach seat on the return to save money.
Here’s how the Skynest will work.
The Skynest will be located in the middle of the plane.
A spokesperson for ANZ said the mid-galley was removed to make space for the Skynest, with only five economy seats in total cut. The aft galley, where meals are stored and heated before service, is now larger.
To start, passengers will be able to choose the exact bunk they want during booking; empty bunks will eventually be bookable on demand at the airport.
It features curtains, power, and a seatbelt.
Each of the six bunks has a black privacy curtain that slides closed. This darkens the space and cuts you off from your up to five neighbors sleeping nearby.
The pod wall stretches far to keep passengers from falling out, but they must also wear the provided seatbelt over the blanket.
Flyers get soft linens and an amenity kit.
The bed stretches about six and a half feet long, and each nest is about two feet wide at the shoulders and roughly 16 inches at the feet.
That’s about the length of most business class beds, but in a more confined space. To get in, I had to climb up the steps, lie down on the bed with my head toward the pillow, and then shimmy myself in — not pretty, but manageable.
Each nest comes with a pillow, a light blanket, and an amenity kit with socks, toiletries, earplugs, and an eye mask. The linens were soft and plush, though not business-class quality.
I’d prefer the bottom or middle bunks.
There’s a ladder to reach the uppermost bunks, but that could be dicey for some passengers during unexpected turbulence. I’d prioritize the middle or bottom bunks simply for maneuverability.
A spokesperson said the bottom and middle bunks are disability-friendly, adding that ANZ tested them with wheelchair users, but individuals still have to get in and out on their own.
Flyers will eat before or after their block.
All flyers will have their first meal before the first block begins. Flight attendants will gently wake passengers before taking 30 minutes to change the linens.
The second group will then use the nests before the second meal service. A spokesperson said that if turbulence disrupts anyone’s session because they can’t safely get to the Skynest, passengers will be refunded for the time lost.
You must be 15 or older.
A spokesperson said flyers must be at least 15 to use the Skynest to reduce the risk of younger teens and children climbing or disrupting other customers.
I’d book the Skynest to fight jet lag.
The nearly $500 price tag translates to about $125 per hour per flight, with fixed booking blocks that can’t be adjusted. It’s not cheap or flexible, but it’s less than the up to $600 initially floated by ANZ.
I’m short and don’t mind tight spaces, so I know I’d sleep well in the nest — and four hours is enough for me to function.
I’d book it specifically on the outbound to Auckland to help battle the jet lag that comes with crossing 16 time zones.
The Skynest is ANZ’s second economy bed.
ANZ pioneered the Skycouch in 2011. It’s pricier than the Skynest, often costing over $1,000 one-way, but it’s available for the entire flight and can host up to two adults and one child.
Ravishankar said it’s particularly popular among families: “I have two young kids, so either mom or dad can take the Skycouch with them,” he said. “It’s perfect; we’ve had many family holidays in the Skycouch.”
I flew it in 2022 and loved it for one person; I slept more than half the flight.
The Skynest could spread beyond ANZ.
Ravishankar said ANZ and its Star Alliance partners share ideas, including ANZ’s patented Skycouch. United recently launched its “Relax Row” version, while Japan’s All Nippon Airways has the “COUCHii.”
It’s unclear if any partners will adopt the Skynest, but Ravishankar said ANZ is “always open to those conversations.”
