Air New Zealand to install world-first economy bunk beds

In a world-first, Air New Zealand is set to offer beds to its economy travellers.

The ‘skynest’ sleep pods will be fitted in the airlines new Dreamliners, which are due to arrive in 2024.

Six bunks will be available in the planes, with economy customers able to purchase a four-hour sleep window for an extra fee.

Head of aircraft programmes at Air New Zealand, Kerry Reeves, says it’s years in the making.

“We’ve had an aspiration to try and do this for a number of years now and … we thought we’d have another go at it and I think this time we’ve actually cracked it,” he told Tm Elliott.

“Anything over 14 to 15 hours would make this viable, where we could get three whole sessions for passengers, but we’re targeting out ultra long-haul flights from Auckland to New York and Chicago, which are around 17 or 18 hours.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the world-first

Image: Air New Zealand