Bunk Beds in the Sky – Air New Zealand shows off its new Boeing 787-9 Interiors

With the airline’s new Dreamliners, due to arrive in 2024, will give its customers more choice, providing the best sleep in the sky regardless of the cabin customers choose to fly in.

This includes a new Business Premier Luxe seat, designed for customers looking for more space and privacy, and Skynest, the world’s first sleep pods in the sky for Economy travellers.

The new Business Premier Luxe seat – Image, Air New Zealand.

The Business Premier Luxe seat is similar to the current Business Premier seat, but with a fully closing door and space for two to dine.

However, we’re not interested in that. We’re going to focus on the Skynest instead.

Skynest feature six pods in the aircraft that can be rented as part of your reservation. Reports indicate that you will be able to have one for up to 4 hours as part of a reservation, with the pod cleaned before the next person pops in.

The empty SkyNest

And with passengers.

How does this fit all together.?

Air New Zealand is offering a lot of classes within a three-class aircraft:

• Business Premier Luxe – The full suite, with closing doors
• Business Premier – The flatbed seat. the middle row allows customers to open their space and share their experiences.
• Premium Economy – A fixed-shell premium economy seat.
• Economy Skynest – The first flat beds for economy passengers (that isn’t four economy seats occupied by one passenger)
• Economy Skycouch – The seat that converts into a couch.
• Economy Stretch – Extra legroom seats
• Economy seat – Your baseline economy seat. They will offer a bigger screen and Bluetooth audio connectivity. You’ll also be able to pair up your device to act as a second screen

How does this fit together? Here’s Air New Zealand’s load plan on how this looks aboard a Boeing 787-9:

The airline has also added a Sky Pantry to the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, so customers can stretch their legs,grab a bite to eat and hydrate at their leisure throughout their journey.

Here’s the reel for those who want to see what the experience will look like:

Rollout

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said:

“New Zealand’s location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-longhaul travel experience. We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort, and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive well-rested. Whether they are heading straight into a meeting, or to their first holiday hotspot – they want to hit the ground running.

“It’s a proud moment to finally unveil five years of hard mahi, in what truly is a cabin of possibility. One that will provide customers with options to get some shut eye wherever they’re sitting.”

“We wanted to offer our Economy customers a lie-flat option and that’s how Skynest was born. It’s going to be a real game changer for the economy travel experience.”

Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said the cabin’s interior design is inspired by the uniqueness of Aotearoa, from the forest-inspired carpet to the seats that draw inspiration from New Zealand’s native bird, the Tui.

“Whether we are welcoming visitors or flying New Zealanders home, we want our customers to experience Aotearoa from the moment they step onboard – and get the best night’s rest.

“Research shows us the first night away from home is the hardest to get a good night’s sleep so everything we do onboard is to help create a sense of calm – from the lighting and sleep ritual including sleepy teas and balms, to the healthier food choices and breathable fabrics. Meditative onscreen content, Zentertainment, will also help customers unwind and get ready for rest.

Well. That’s very different