Lie-down beds in ECONOMY: Air New Zealand’s ‘Skynest’ section will allow those in the back of the plane to sleep in bunk beds
- Air New Zealand have debuted their prototype to have beds in economy areas
- Skynest has six beds that are two metres in length and 58 centimetres in width
- The airline will attempt to roll out the prototype in 2021 after assessing flights
Air New Zealand has released a prototype of a new economy section that will allow long-haul travellers to lie down in bunk beds.
The Economy Skynest was the result of three years of research into customer needs – with many pointing out the need for a personal space where passengers can fully relax and sleep on long-haul flights.
The Skynest is a secluded section with six bunk beds – three on each side – that are two metres long and 58 centimetres wide at the shoulder area.
Popular airline Air New Zealand have released their prototype that allows travellers in economy class to lay down
Each bed comes with a full-sized pillow, sheets and a blanket.
There are also ear plugs, lighting designed to promote sleep and privacy curtains.
The airline is also looking to including a USB outlet, more ventilation and a reading light separate to the main connection.
Air New Zealand said they are yet to determine the costs of running the product, or how many beds would be on commercial flights.
Greg Foran, the airline’s CEO, said: ‘Here you get the opportunity to lie down and take a bit of a nap.
‘It was one of the most innovative things that i have seen in an airline in all the years I’ve been travelling.’
The Skynest has six beds that are two metres in length and 58 centimetres in width at the shoulder area
There are also ear plugs, lighting designed to promote sleeping conditions and privacy curtains
Air New Zealand surveyed more than 200 customers before filing their patent on Tuesday.
The airline’s chief marketing officer Mike Tod said it was looking at introducing the Skynest on services such as Auckland-New York which takes close to 18 hours.
Kerry Reeves, Head of Airline Programmes, said there were challenges in developing the Skynest with regulators but it is a ‘prize worth chasing’.
Air New Zealand will determine whether to operate the Economy Skynest in 2021 after assessing a year’s worth of Auckland to New York flights.
The airline’s Chief Marketing and Customer Officer Mike Tod said it was important move for long-haul flights (stock)