Air New Zealand’s Sky Nest bunk beds to launch on ultra-long-haul flights in 2026
Air New Zealand will introduce its much-anticipated “Skynest” cabin concept early next year, giving economy passengers the chance to stretch out and sleep on the airline’s ultra-long-haul services.
Speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific, CCO Jeremy O’Brien described Skynest as “a bit like bunk beds in the sky” – six sleeping berths located between the premium economy and economy cabins.
The innovation will debut on the carrier’s ultra-long-haul B787-9 aircraft in February or March 2026, starting with the Auckland–New York route.
Designed specifically for flights exceeding 15 hours, Skynest will be available for purchase in blocks of three or four hours.
O’Brien explained that each Auckland–New York service would offer about 12 hours of Skynest availability, allowing for taxi, take-off, landing, and meal services.
“Within that, you’ve got these really nice three, four hour blocks that we’ll have, so essentially, 18 opportunities to get some lie-flat downtime in the economy cabin,” he said.
Air New Zealand expects the new option to address one of the biggest challenges of ultra-long-haul travel – passenger fatigue.
“We think that’s important, because one of the challenges with ultra long haul flying is just that duration, and the ability to get to the other end in a reasonable state,” O’Brien said.
“Skynest provides that opportunity for an economy customer to get some good sleep and rest over that flight.”
Sky Nest bunk-beds in the sky
The move marks the first time an airline has offered dedicated bunk-style sleeping arrangements in economy class on regularly scheduled flights.
The six-pod configured sleep zone was originally due to be made available on flights starting in September 2024, however it was delayed first to 2025 and now to early 2026.
Each pod will include a full-size pillow, sheets and blanket, ear plugs, a separate reading light, personal device USB outlet, ventilation outlet, and “lighting designed for rest”.
Each passenger will be limited to one session, with families travelling on the same ticket able to book a session for each passenger.
The Sky Nest pod will come with a separate seatbelt to ensure passengers can fasten them and stay in the pod should the seat belt sign come on during turbulence.
The bedding will be changed between each session, and a 30-minute transition time will be allowed for this.
The lights will gently come on at the end of each session, and Air New Zealand says crew will politely wake any passengers who sleep through this.
Pricing for a 4-hour booking
“We’re still working through the exact details of how the booking process will work, and we have yet to determine the price. At this stage we are looking at around $400 to $600 for the 4-hour period,” said Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty.
“Our extensive research and design process, which spanned five years and 170,000 hours, has resulted in a product that we’re confident will revolutionise the in-flight experience for Economy passengers.”
In 2023, Sky Nest won the Innovative Cabin Concept category at the Crystal Cabin Awards in Hamburg.
Sky Nest is not the only cabin innovation from Air New Zealand aimed at improving comfort on long flights.
The carrier’s Economy Skycouch are built just like standard economy seats, except each has an adjustable leg rest that can be raised or lowered individually.
Passengers can lift the leg rests halfway up for a recline, or all the way up to a 90-degree angle to create a lie-flat couch space.
Skycouch seats are located in some rows within the Economy cabin of the airline’s 777-300ER and 787-9 aircraft. Extra bedding, a seat liner and Skycouch kit are also supplied.
