dailynewsnblog
Star Alliance carrier Air New Zealand has finally announced when its long-anticipated Skynest product will go on sale, with the first tickets available for purchase from May 18, bookable on services from November this year. Initially, they will be available on the airline’s flagship route between 
Auckland Airport (AKL) and 
New York JFK Airport (JFK).
These are the world’s first lie-flat sleep pods that are available for premium and economy class travelers. They are located between the Economy and Premium Economy cabins, and offer six individual pods in a bulk-style format. These are bookable in four-hour sessions and offered with two sessions available per flight.
Experiencing The World’s First Skynest
New Zealand is home to around five million people and is a popular tourist destination. Due to the country’s geographical location, many of the world’s longest flights operate to and from Auckland, and for Air New Zealand, the Skynest has been designed to enhance the onboard journey and experience. These six bunk-style lie-flat pods allow travelers to stretch out and hopefully get a few hours’ rest at 30,000 feet.
For the last few years, Air New Zealand has been relatively coy about the full Skynest experience, and has been tested with more than 200 customers. These quiet, private, lie-flat spaces will include full-length mattresses, bedding, ambient lighting, ventilation, and USB charging ports. These pods are available to book for a four-hour session, and are designed in and around natural sleep cycles. Nikhil Ravishankar, Air New Zealand Chief Executive, explains:
“(Skynest) 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.”
Why The Skynest Will Change How We Fly
Those willing to fork out the additional NZ $495 ($291) to secure a session in the Skynest will enjoy the tranquility of their own dedicated private bunk bed. Fresh bedding will be provided, including a pillow, sheets and blankets, and their own privacy curtain. Ambient lighting has been designed to support usual rest and wake times, with personal stowage for important items.
A reading light is available, with added ventilation, seatbelts, and a crew call button. An amenity kit, named the ‘Nestcessities kit’, is provided, which includes your own personal eye mask, socks, earplugs, and Aotea branded skincare. Each nest is approximately 6.6 feet (203 cm), with a width at the shoulder of 25 inches (64 cm), and tapered at the feet to 16 inches (41 cm).
Those keen to be one of the first to try the new Skynest product will be able to do so from November, with tickets going on sale this Saturday, April 18 local time ( New Zealand), or April 17 for those located in North America. As already mentioned, it will be initially offered on the carrier’s non-stop Auckland to New York return service, with it likely to be extended to other routes in the carrier’s network.
Stunning: Air New Zealand Shows Off Its 1st Boeing 787 With First Class Suites
The cabin refurbishment program is part of a $2.06 billion brand refresh investment announced in 2023.
Your Own Nest In The Sky
This game-changing new product by Air New Zealand will enable the first economy or premium economy lie-flat sleep pod option for travelers on long-haul flights. To ensure the new product is protected, the carrier has patented and trademarked the Skynest, with the airline securing the intellectual property rights.
This comes as Air NZ recently licensed its Skycouch technology to 
United Airlines, which will introduce the United Relax Row on Boeing 787 and 777s by the end of the decade. China Airlines also got its own licence for the ‘Family couch’ in 2014, but it was discontinued in 2018. The Skycouch included a row of three seats, with footrests that could fold up to create a bed-like surface.
Air New Zealand has recently introduced its upgraded onboard offering, including upgraded Business Premier and Premium Economy cabins, while adding Economy Stretch and the Skynest to provide additional comfort on select long-haul routes.
