Passengers can book a four-hour session in the bunk beds from May for Auckland-New York flights but airline cautions against smuggling in children
Economy passengers on Air New Zealand’s ultra-long-haul flight between Auckland and New York can book a spot in the airline’s bunk-bed style sleeping pods from May, which will take to skies in late 2026.
In what the airline says is a world first, six full-length, lie-flat sleeping pods, are squeezed into the aisle of the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The pods, known as “Skynest”, will include fresh bedding, a privacy curtain, ambient lighting and kit with eye-masks, skincare, earplugs and socks.
Premium and economy passengers will still be required to buy traditional seats for the 17-hour flight but have the option of booking a four-hour pod session, for an additional NZ$500-600 ($295; £217) per session. There will be two sessions available per flight initially, and passengers will be restricted to booking one slot.
Those opting to sleep in the pods will be in close proximity to other napping passengers and will not have room to sit up. “Double-bunking” is prohibited, as is eating snacks or smuggling in children.
