Forget traditional seating options like economy, premium, business, or first-class. Air New Zealand is introducing something new: the SkyNest sleeping pod.
Starting in December, the airline will unveil triple bunk beds on its ultra-long-haul flights, which last between 16 to 17.5 hours, connecting Auckland with New York’s JFK airport.
These bunks, which are currently available for purchase, are housed in a wedge-shaped pod designed to accommodate six sleepers at the back of retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Available as an add-on for passengers flying economy and premium economy who are 15 years or older, the cost starts at £215 for a four-hour session. Passengers can book up to two sessions per flight.
Each booking includes a pillow, blanket, and amenity kit that features hand and body balm, an eye mask, ear plugs, and a pair of striped socks.
I’m about to experience the SkyNest firsthand at the IMM TRENZ travel industry conference in Auckland, New Zealand, to see what this innovative sleeping option has to offer.
Not bad, is the answer. For a start, they’re a decent size, each stretching 203cm in length – the same as an average king-size bed – tapering from 64cm across the shoulders to 41cm in the footwell.
Each bed also has a privacy curtain, which is slightly see-through to allow cabin crew to keep an eye out for any medical problems, safety issues or unacceptable behaviour – no sneaking in children or adult bunk-mates. Snacks are also prohibited but water will be allowed.
Lee Cobaj pictured inside a SkyNest ‘bottom’ bunk at the the IMM TRENZ travel industry conference in Auckland, New Zealand
From November 2026, economy passengers on select Air New Zealand flights will be able to enjoy a quiet, private space to rest in six individual lie-flat nests, named ‘Skynests’
Lying within the shiny graphite-grey shell bathed in sleep-inducing purple light, I feel a little as though I’m on the set of Battlestar Galactica.
Although the space is snug, you can easily turn over, even if you cannot sit fully upright.
With the other bunks in such close proximity, it would appear that snoring and other bodily emissions will likely be noticed, but that’s also the case in economy, of course.
Centre partitions hide passengers’ faces and shoulders from others within the pod, providing privacy.
You can choose in advance which row you want. I try out all three bunk positions: top, middle and bottom.
Passengers who have booked a £215 nest will be treated to a range of amenities, including bedding, ambient lighting, a privacy curtain and kits containing socks, skincare and earplugs
The middle feels most exposed to your fellow pod occupants, although it’s easiest to access. The top bunk requires inelegantly clambering up and down steps – troublesome for toilet breaks, but it does feel more separated than the middle row.
My favourite spot, however, is the lower bunk.
Positioned just a few inches above the floor, it doesn’t look appealing, but I find it easy to slither in and out, plus I liked that the partition comes all the way down to my waist, which it does not on the other two.
Inside, I feel I’m in own little den.
Each bed is fitted with a safety belt. You also have a charging point, reading light and individual air vents.
The sleeping slots are available following dinner service and then five hours later, after cabin crew have remade the beds.
Would I shell out £215 for the experience? As a self-confessed aviation geek, absolutely.
While some might grumble that four hours of sleep isn’t enough, some extra shut eye on an ultra-long-haul flight in a private pod makes eminent sense.
For more details, see the ‘Economy Skynest’ page at airnewzealand.co.uk.
