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Air New Zealand is set to launch the world’s first bunk-bed style sleep pods for economy and premium economy travelers on its ultra-long-haul flights between Auckland, New Zealand and New York City, starting in November 2026. The new “Skynest” pods are designed to give economy passengers a chance to lie flat and rest during the marathon 17-hour journey, a first for budget air travel.
Each Skynest pod offers a four-hour session away from traditional upright seats. There are six pods per flight, each about 80 inches long and 25 inches wide at the shoulder, stacked in a triple-bunk style layout located between the economy and premium economy cabins on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Passengers can pre-book a session for an additional fee starting from about $291 USD, on top of their regular ticket.
For comfort and hygiene, travelers receive fresh bedding, a pillow, a blanket, and a complimentary amenity kit with earplugs, an eye mask, and special socks, which must be worn inside the pods. Each pod is curtained for privacy, but passengers will nap in close quarters with others. Strict “Nestiquette” rules apply: eating snacks, wearing strong perfumes, or sharing pods (“double-bunking”) is prohibited. Children under 15 are not allowed in the Skynest, and passengers must be able to enter and exit the pods independently. To maintain order, only solo sessions are permitted and cabin crew will check the area regularly.
At the end of the four-hour session, lighting changes will gently wake sleepers, or a flight attendant may do so if needed. The bedding is replaced for each new guest. Passengers are limited to one session per flight and are not permitted to remain in the pods beyond their time slot.
Air New Zealand’s CEO, Nikhil Ravishankar, said, “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."
The airline hopes the Skynest will appeal to travelers seeking more comfort without the cost of business class, and will begin accepting bookings for Skynest sessions starting Saturday, May 18, for flights departing from November 2026.