Trending Now - Airline Introduces Bunk Beds for Economy, Enforces Strict Rules

WHO:

Fast Company - Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar stated, “For a country as remote as New Zealand, the journey matters. Tourism is a $46 billion NZD industry, but growth depends on travellers' willingness to spend long hours in the air to get here.”

Fast Company - Ravishankar added, “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.”

AP News - Air New Zealand is the airline introducing the bunk beds.

WHAT:

Fast Company - The Skynest sleep pods will include amenities such as fresh bedding, a privacy curtain, ambient lighting, personal storage and charging outlets, a reading light, a ventilation outlet, a crew call button, and a seat belt.

Fast Company - The Skynest pods are six feet and five inches long, with a 23-inch width at their widest section.

AP News - The curtained berths will be available to economy and premium economy fliers.

AP News - The airline will provide pillows, blankets, and sheets that are "all refreshed" between four-hour naps.

AP News - Passengers must refrain from using the pods if they are children or any additional visitors.

AP News - Passengers will be woken by a gentle change in lighting or by a flight attendant at the end of their four-hour stint.

AP News - Passengers are prohibited from snacking in the pods, and the use of the pods is restricted to solo travelers only, as stated, “That means solo snoozes only please, no musical nests or tag-teaming.”

AP News - Air New Zealand will provide earplugs to travelers, acknowledging that “statistically, someone’s going to do it” regarding snoring.

AP News - Air New Zealand will offer triple-tier bunk beds for economy travelers, called Skynest sleep pods.

AP News - The cost for a four-hour stint in the Skynest pods starts from 495 New Zealand dollars (approximately $291).

ABC News - The bunk beds will be the first lie-flat beds for budget air travelers.

ABC News - The bunks are arranged in a triple-bunk style layout, with six pods available.

WHERE:

AP News - The new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft will service the Auckland to New York route.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Passengers will be able to book the Skynest starting on May 18th, 2026.

AP News - Bookings for the Skynest sleep pods will open in November 2026.

AP News - Air New Zealand first announced the development of the economy beds in 2020.

WHY:

AP News - The introduction of the bunk beds is part of airlines' efforts to sell seat upgrades and add-ons to economy travelers.

AP News - Air New Zealand has increased fares and cut some domestic flights due to increased jet fuel costs during the war in the Middle East.

HOW:

Fast Company - The two bottom bunks in the Skynest are four inches off the floor and will likely require crawling to access, while the middle two bunks are accessible from standing, and the top two bunks require using small central steps.

AP News - Access to the pods requires bending, kneeling, crawling, or climbing into the space.

AP News - Passengers must wear specially provided socks to enter the pods and are required to fasten their seatbelts over their blankets.

AP News - Passengers will be woken by a gentle change in lighting or by a flight attendant at the end of their four-hour stint.

ABC News - Access to the pods requires bending, kneeling, crawling, or climbing into the space. Each berth is 80 inches (203 cm) long and 25 inches (64 cm) wide at shoulder height, tapering to 16 inches (41 cm) at the foot.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 15:18 UTC)

Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar emphasized the importance of tourism for New Zealand, highlighting that the $46 billion NZD industry relies on travelers willing to endure long flights to reach the remote country. To enhance the travel experience, the airline is introducing Skynest sleep pods, which will feature amenities like fresh bedding, privacy curtains, and personal storage, with bookings opening May 18th. The Skynest pods measure six feet and five inches long and include a unique design where the bottom bunks are four inches off the floor, while the middle and top bunks are more easily accessible.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 13:22 UTC)

Starting this week, an airline has introduced curtained berths for economy and premium economy passengers, complete with refreshed pillows, blankets, and sheets for four-hour naps. However, children and additional visitors are not allowed to use these pods, which require some effort to access, including bending or climbing. At the end of the nap period, passengers will be gently awakened by a change in lighting or by a flight attendant.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 11:18 UTC)

Air New Zealand has announced new guidelines for their sleep pods, stating that they are only for solo travelers and snacks are strictly prohibited, emphasizing that it's “solo snoozes only please, no musical nests or tag-teaming.” To address potential snoring, the airline will provide earplugs to passengers, acknowledging that “statistically, someone’s going to do it.” Additionally, travelers must wear specially provided socks to enter the pods and are required to fasten their seatbelts over their blankets.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 09:20 UTC)

Air New Zealand is set to introduce triple-tier bunk beds for economy travelers, known as Skynest sleep pods, on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights from Auckland to New York. Bookings for these innovative pods, which will be the first lie-flat beds available for budget air travelers, will open in November 20th26, with a four-hour stint starting at 495 New Zealand dollars, or approximately $291. Passengers will need to wear special socks to access the pods and will be gently awakened by a change in lighting or a flight attendant at the end of their time in the bunk beds.