Air New Zealand to sell Skynest sleep pods for economy travelers starting May

Air New Zealand announced it will begin selling access to its Economy Skynest, a set of six lie-flat sleeping pods designed for economy and premium economy travelers, starting May 18, 2026. 

The pods will be available on the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which are scheduled to begin flying in November 2026.

The Skynest is designed for the airline’s longest routes to and from New Zealand, offering passengers a chance to lie flat and rest during flights that can stretch well beyond 12 hours.

How the Skynest works

The six pods are arranged in a bunk-style layout between the economy and premium economy cabins. Passengers who purchase an economy or premium economy ticket can add a four-hour Skynest session to their booking. Pricing starts at NZ$495 (US$248) per session, with two sessions available on each flight initially.

Each pod comes with a full-length mattress, fresh bedding, a privacy curtain, ambient lighting, personal ventilation, and charging ports. Bedding is changed between sessions. Passengers also receive a kit that includes an eye mask, ear plugs, socks, and skincare products.

The four-hour sessions were designed around natural sleep cycles, giving passengers time to settle in, sleep, and wake up gradually.

Why the Skynest matters for New Zealand

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar said the Skynest addresses a real challenge for a country as geographically isolated as New Zealand.

“For a country as remote as New Zealand, the journey matters. Tourism is a $46 billion NZD (US $27 billion) industry, but growth depends on travellers’ willingness to spend long hours in the air to get here,” Ravishankar said. “Skynest is designed to help make that easier. It reflects the practical innovation New Zealand is known for, and shows how thoughtful design can improve the travel experience. By giving more people the chance to properly rest on ultra long-haul flights, it helps make travel to and from New Zealand more manageable.”

Building on past innovations

The Skynest follows the airline’s Skycouch, a product that allows economy passengers to convert a row of seats into a flat surface. Ravishankar said the new sleep pods build on that same idea of giving travelers more options.

“Skycouch gave customers more choice in how they travel, and Skynest builds on that by offering a new option for rest on our longest flights,” he said. “It is about recognising that customers value flexibility, comfort and control, and giving more people the opportunity to travel in a way that works better for them.”

Development and testing

Air New Zealand developed the Skynest over several years and tested it with more than 200 customers before finalizing the design. Each pod includes a reading light, a crew call button, an in-pod seatbelt, and personal stowage space.

Bookings open May 18, 2026, with flights featuring the Skynest beginning in November 2026.

RELATED

Air New Zealand turns flight into concert with SYNTHONY in the Sky experience

The post Air New Zealand to sell Skynest sleep pods for economy travelers starting May appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source