The airline has the world’s first ‘economy class bed’

From November, passengers flying between New York and Auckland can book extra rest in individual lie-flat cabins called “Skynest” on some flights. Each trip has 6 compartments, allowing passengers to use for 4 hours for 495 NZD (about 270 USD), in addition to economy or premium economy tickets.

The capsules are designed to optimize comfort with privacy curtains, soft lighting, reading lights, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, ventilation systems, personal storage compartments and amenity kits including eye masks, socks and skin care products.

The service comes with many regulations. Passengers must book a time slot outside of meal service hours and can only use it once per flight. Skynest is only for guests 15 years of age and older.

The sleeping compartment area is a shared space, passengers are located close to each other and cannot sit upright. Other regulations include not sharing the cabin, not eating or drinking, not bringing children and limiting the use of strong-smelling perfume to avoid affecting those around you.

Each compartment is about 2.3 m long and 64 cm wide, mainly serving the needs of resting. The middle and upper compartments are arranged high, passengers have to climb a small ladder to enter, while the lower compartment requires bending to enter and exit.

Passengers who need special assistance can still book the service if they are able to enter and exit the cabin on their own or are accompanied by a personal assistant.

In addition to Skynest, passengers traveling in small groups can choose Skycouch – a third row of seats that can be converted into a flat lying surface on some Boeing 777-300ER and 787-9 aircraft. The chair can raise the footrest to 90 degrees or adjust flexibly to create a resting space.

Skynest will be deployed on the Boeing 787-9 line, open for sale from May 18 and begin operating from November 2026. The company’s representative said the product is intended to help passengers rest better on ultra-long flights.

Following this trend, United Airlines also introduced a seat design that can turn the entire row into a shared sofa, expected to be deployed from 2027. The product is aimed at families with young children or groups of passengers who want space to lie down, with additional mattresses, blankets and pillows included.