Air New Zealand operates some of the world’s longest flights, and now the company is considering installing flatbeds in economy class to improve passenger comfort. However, it will be over a year before customers could get the chance to take a nap in one of these new pod beds.
In February, the airline announced it had filed patent and trademark applications for the sleeping pods called the Economy Skynest. The Skynest, which looks similar to a pod hotel design, would have three levels of beds with two beds on each level, totaling to six beds at 58 cm wide and 200cm long each. Each bed would include sheets and blankets, a full-size pillow, a privacy curtain, and earplugs. Air New Zealand is still deciding whether it could also feature a reading light and a USB outlet.
According to Mike Tod, the company’s chief marketing and customer officer, Skynest would be aimed at some of Air New Zealand’s longest flights. Some of these include the 17 hours and 40 minutes Auckland to New York flight launching next year. When that route begins, Air New Zealand will decide whether to give Skynest the green-light.
The company hasn’t decided on how much the beds would cost for each passenger, but it would be separate to the charge of booking a seat on the flight. However, the airline first needs to get Skynest certified with regulators before passengers can enjoy sleeping in the full-sized, in-air beds.
A spokeswoman for Air New Zealand said:
The concept is designed as a pod you go to during the flight. You will still have your economy seat separately for the other portion of the flight. Customers could book a session in the bed during the flight, rather than the whole flight, and the cabin crew would change and freshen up the pods with new bedding for each session.
If the Skynest turns out to be a success, Air New Zealand has said it is willing to licensing the product to other airlines.
Other attempts to restructuring passengers’ in-air experience include Collins Aerospace’s “self-serve social zone” concept, which involves snacks and drink bars for passengers to socialize and move around mid-flight. The design won Collins Aerospace a spot in the final of 2019’s Crystal Cabin Awards, also known as the aircraft interior innovation awards.
