Air New Zealand has announced that from May 18, 2026, passengers will be able to book its new Economy Skynest product, an innovative solution designed to improve rest on some of the world’s longest commercial flights to and from New Zealand. The airline describes the concept as a world first, and it will be introduced on its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which are scheduled to enter service from November this year.
Skynest has been designed as an additional option for Economy and Premium Economy passengers, giving them the opportunity to rest in a fully lie-flat position during ultra long-haul journeys. The system consists of six individual pods arranged in a bunk-style layout, located between the Economy and Premium Economy cabins.
The airline says the aim of the new product is to reduce the strain of long-distance travel to geographically remote New Zealand. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar said the quality of the journey plays an important role for a country that relies heavily on international visitors. He also noted that tourism is a NZD 46 billion industry for New Zealand, but that continued growth depends in part on travellers’ willingness to spend many hours in the air.
According to Ravishankar, Skynest is an example of the practical innovation New Zealand is known for, while also representing an effort to make long-haul travel more manageable and comfortable for a broader range of passengers. The airline believes that giving travellers the chance to get better rest in flight could make trips to such a distant destination more appealing.
The new product was developed over several years and tested with more than 200 customers. Each pod offers a more private and quieter space for rest, with a full-length mattress, bedding, ambient lighting, a ventilation outlet and charging ports. Passengers will also have access to a privacy curtain, personal storage space, a reading light, a crew call button and an in-pod seatbelt.
Skynest will not be sold as a standalone ticket, but as an add-on for passengers already travelling in Economy or Premium Economy. In the initial phase, Air New Zealand plans to offer two four-hour sessions on each flight, with the duration designed to align with natural sleep cycles, allowing time to settle, sleep and wake gradually. The starting price will be NZD 495 per session.
The airline says Skynest is the next step in its strategy of developing unconventional cabin concepts, following the earlier introduction of Skycouch as an alternative to the traditional seating layout. Air New Zealand says the goal is to respond to growing passenger demand for greater flexibility, comfort and control over the travel experience, especially on flights that last nearly an entire day.
In addition to the lie-flat pod itself, each booked session will include a full-length mattress, fresh bedding changed between sessions, a pillow, sheets and a blanket, as well as a “Nestcessities” kit containing an eye mask, ear plugs, socks and Aotea skincare products.
