Air New Zealand’s Skynest Sleeper Cabins for Long-Haul Economy ClassAir New Zealand’s Skynest Sleeper Cabins for Long-Haul Economy Class Air New Zealand’s highly anticipated Skynest sleeper cabins will finally make their debut in 2025, bringing a revolutionary sleeping experience to ultra-long-haul economy class passengers. Initially slated for an earlier introduction, the airline has now announced that the first Skynest-equipped Boeing 787 Dreamliner is expected to enter service in 2025. This will provide a welcome upgrade for passengers flying on long-haul routes between New Zealand and North America. The Skynest Concept The Skynest is a groundbreaking product that redefines economy class travel. It consists of six capsule-like sleeping pods arranged in a bunk bed configuration for three people. Each pod offers privacy, personal ventilation, a reading light, bedding, earplugs, a USB port, and special lighting designed for relaxation. Passengers will have the option to book a four-hour session in a Skynest for a fee ranging from NZ$400 to NZ$600. The product is expected to launch on flights from Auckland to New York and Chicago later this year. A Decade of Dreamliner Excellence Air New Zealand is celebrating ten years of operating the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline currently operates 14 787-9s and has eight more on order. The delivery of the first new Dreamliner in 2025 will feature the latest interior products, including Skynest. Future Enhancements In addition to the Skynest rollout, Air New Zealand is preparing for a full retrofit of an in-service 787-9. This will include the unveiling of the airline’s Business Premier cabin product, a new Premium Economy seat, and upgrades to Economy class. With these enhancements, Air New Zealand aims to continue its commitment to innovation and provide passengers with the most comfortable and enjoyable long-haul travel experience. Over 11 million passengers have already experienced the Dreamliner’s exceptional amenities, and the airline is eager to introduce its newest advancements to even more travelers in the years to come.
Air New Zealand’s planned introduction of Skynest sleeper cabins in ultra-long-haul economy class has been delayed, but management expects this first-of-its-kind product to be introduced on a brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2025.
That’s good news for economy class passengers who enjoy a nap in a real bed during the airline’s long-haul flights between New Zealand and North America.
The Auckland-based airline is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the Dreamliner and currently operates 14 Boeing 787-9s, with a further eight 787s on order books.
“In 2025, we expect to take delivery of our first new Boeing Dreamliner. Our first aircraft will feature our new interior products and have the added bonus of the much-anticipated Skynest,” said Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Officer, in a statement.
“We know our customers are eagerly awaiting the next evolution of our Dreamliners and we can’t wait to introduce them to our most innovative aircraft yet.”
Some travelers even expect Skynest to be the best alternative to long-haul economy class travel of the past decades.
In a recent interview with Travel Age West, Ben Evers-Swindell, Air New Zealand’s general manager for the Americas, provided some color on the timing of Skynest’s unveiling: “We’re launching Skynest on our brand new Dreamliner, which, all being well, will take delivery late next year. It will be a special configuration designed for ultra-long-haul flights on our Auckland to New York service.”
This 787 delivery schedule is in line with management’s February update to investors (PDF), which stated that the airline will take delivery of two 787s in fiscal year 2026 (beginning July 1, 2025). In support of the Skynest program, ST Engineering announced on LinkedIn last year that it had signed a LOI with Air New Zealand to help the airline add Skynest to its jets through a retrofit program.
Air New Zealand’s Skynest is a capsule monument between Premium Economy and Economy cabins. It is an award-winning product with the Crystal Cabin Award and consists of six sleeping cabins in a bunk bed for three people.
Each pod will include personal ventilation, a reading light, bedding with a full-size pillow, earplugs, a USB port and special lighting for resting, and can eventually be booked for a four-hour session for NZ$400-$600. The product is due to launch on 787 flights from Auckland to New York and Chicago from September this year.
Meanwhile, Air New Zealand is soon preparing for a full retrofit of an in-service 787-9, including the previously unveiled Business Premier cabin product, the new Premium Economy seat and “an updated product across Economy class,” Geraghty said.
Referring to the airline’s decade-long operation of the 787, she said the twinjet has been a “vital aircraft in expanding our network” and that its fuel economy makes it “the perfect aircraft for very long-haul travel”.
More than 11 million passengers have enjoyed Air New Zealand’s Dreamliner experience.
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All images are courtesy of Air New Zealand
