Air New Zealand will soon offer a solution that involves climbing into a triple-tier bunk bed wearing special socks.

The airline will soon open bookings for four-hour stints in the Skynest sleep pods and says they will be the first lie-flat beds for budget air travellers. 

Fliers will get cosy with their fellow passengers, however, so crumbs, strong perfumes and bedsharing are forbidden.

The curtained berths will be available to economy and premium economy fliers on the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from November. 

The planes will service the Auckland to New York route, which is one of the world’s longest commercial flights and leaves economy passengers sitting upright for a marathon 16 to 18 hours.

Instead, travellers will have the option of a pre-booked four-hour spot in a curtained pod, with costs starting from 495 New Zealand dollars (S$370.59) on top of the price of their economy tickets. 

But use of the six pods, arranged in a triple-bunk style layout between cabins, will put fliers in close proximity to others, prompting the airline to publish etiquette notes.

Passengers must refrain from snacking in the pods, which can’t be used by children or any additional visitors.

“That means solo snoozes only please, no musical nests or tag-teaming,” Air New Zealand’s website says. 

For those worried about cleanliness, the airline assures travellers that the pillows, blankets and sheets supplied “are all refreshed” between four-hour naps.

Fliers are also required to change into specially provided socks to enter the pod, fasten their seatbelts over their blankets and forgo dousing themselves in any smelly “perfumes or potions”.

Passengers will be woken by a gentle change in lighting at the end of their four-hour stint in the bunk — or by a flight attendant, possibly less gently, if they don’t rouse in time.

Each berth is about the length of a regular bed — 80 inches or 203cm — but the pods don’t leave headroom for sitting up and access “requires bending, kneeling, crawling, or climbing into the space,” the aircraft’s website says. 

The bunks are 64cm wide at shoulder height, tapering to 41cm at the foot of the beds.

Seats or couches that convert into beds in the sky aren’t a new offering for business and first class travellers, but Air New Zealand believes its lie-flat bunks for economy travellers will be a world first.

The offering from New Zealand’s national carrier is the latest from airlines seeking to sell seat upgrades and other add-ons to economy travellers. 

Air New Zealand first announced the economy beds were in development in 2020.

The airline has increased fares and cut some domestic flights from its schedule in response to increased jet fuel costs during the war in the Middle East. 

In March, it suspended its earnings outlook due to fuel price volatility and warned that more changes to its routes were possible.

But on one of its longest flights, travellers might finally get some shut-eye — although they should expect snoring, for which earplugs are provided, the airline said.

“Statistically, someone’s going to do it,” Air New Zealand’s website reads. “It might be you.”

Credits: Air New Zealand

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United is the first North American airline to offer this kind of seating and has continental exclusivity on the design.

The row of three seats is outfitted with individually adjustable leg rests that fold up at a 90-degree angle to create more room to sleep, stretch out or watch a movie.

The United Relax Row is positioned as being ideal for families travelling with small children, as well as solo travellers and couples who want the value of United Economy with extra comfort.

Passengers travelling in the row will receive additional amenities for their flight, including a custom-fitted mattress pad, a specially sized plush blanket and two additional pillows. There is a plush toy and a children’s travel kit for families.

The seats will be located between United Economy and United Premium Plus and United will offer up to 12 United Relax Row sections on each plane.

Andrew Nocella,  Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at United Airlines, said: “We’re committed to delivering new, industry-leading experiences for all of our customers – and the United Relax Row is the perfect example of that. Customers travelling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them.”

Credits: United Airlines

The post Economy Just Got an Upgrade: United Airlines Debuts Couch-Style Seating first appeared on AircrewNews.com.