Air New Zealand will open bookings for its Economy Skynest on 18 May, making it the first airline in the world to offer lie-flat sleep pods to economy passengers on commercial flights.
The pods – six per aircraft, arranged in a bunk-style layout between the Economy and Premium Economy cabins – will operate on the carrier’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet from November. Economy and Premium Economy passengers can add a four-hour session to their booking from AU$495.
The launch comes as airlines across the industry race to differentiate on ultra-long-haul routes. For Air New Zealand, the stakes are particularly high: the carrier serves some of the world’s longest commercial flights, and Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar has been explicit about the commercial logic behind the product. “Tourism is a NZ$46 billion industry,” he said, “but growth depends on travellers’ willingness to spend long hours in the air to get here.”
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Each Skynest pod includes a full-length mattress, fresh bedding changed between sessions, a privacy curtain, ambient lighting, personal storage, USB charging, ventilation, an in-pod seatbelt and a crew call button. Passengers also receive a “Nestcessities” kit with an eye mask, earplugs, socks and Aotea skincare. Two sessions will be available per flight at launch.
The product was developed over several years and tested with more than 200 customers. Ravishankar described it as a natural successor to Skycouch, the airline’s economy flat-surface product for couples and families.
“It is about recognising that customers value flexibility, comfort and control,” he said.
Bookings open 18 May. First flights: November 2026.
