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You might not have to book business class to get a lie-flat bed on a flight. Economy flyers will soon be able to sleep in bunk beds on Air New Zealand flights between New York and Auckland.
In November 2026, Air New Zealand will launch its Economy Skynest, a mini “cabin” of six bunk beds that economy and premium economy flyers will be able to book for four-hour blocks during their 16- to 18-hour flights.
The long-awaited Skynest was originally announced in February 2020, but it’s finally flying this fall. Bookings open May 18, 2026, and will cost $495 per person.
Here’s what you need to know about Skynest.
The Economy Skynest is located between the economy and premium economy sections on select flights operated by Air New Zealand’s newest Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The Skynest comprises two columns of three bunk beds each.
It will debut on Air New Zealand’s flagship route between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Auckland Airport. As the airline receives more aircraft, it said it will evaluate other long-haul destinations to deploy Skynest-equipped planes, such as Vancouver, Canada.
Economy and premium economy passengers will be able to book one of the sleep pods for a four-hour period. Each session will cost $495 per person at launch. Each person will be able to book only one session per flight.
Initially, there will be two Skynest sessions offered between meal services. The airline said it hopes to expand the number of sessions as time goes on, such as offering sessions during meal services and allowing passengers to opt for a later meal time.
That means you can expect 12 Skynest pods available on each flight at launch — six for the first session and six for the second.
“We want to win on sleep,” Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar said at a New York City event showcasing the Economy Skynest. “It doesn’t matter which cabin you’re in. We want to be the best sleep experience in the air.”
With your pod, you’ll have a privacy curtain, USB ports, a small storage area, a ventilation outlet, a crew call button and a seatbelt. Guests will also get fresh sheets, a blanket and a full-size pillow, which will all be replaced between sessions.
The Skynest builds on the Skycouch that Air New Zealand first introduced in 2011, an innovative seating style that converts a section of economy seats into a makeshift couch via adjustable legrests that go up 90 degrees.
How do you book the Skynest?
When bookings open on May 18, 2026, passengers will be able to book a Skynest bunk as an add-on in the online booking flow. The airline said it eventually plans to offer the ability to purchase a Skynest session onboard, assuming there’s availability.
To use a Skynest pod, you must be at least 15 years old. Children under 12 cannot stay unaccompanied in the economy or premium economy cabin. They’re required to have a chaperone who is at least 15 years old.
During the booking process, you’ll be able to select the specific bunk you want. Each bed is 6.6 feet long and 25 inches wide at the shoulders. The bed narrows to 16 inches wide around the feet.
How comfortable is the Skynest?
I got to test out the Skynest at an Air New Zealand event in New York City, and it was very comfortable for me — at least once I got into it.
Getting into the Skynest sleep pod can be challenging if you choose the top or bottom bunk.
Personally, I would choose the middle bunk just for ease of access. I was able to get in without a problem by sitting on the bed and swinging my legs onto it. With the bottom bunk, you’d need to bend down and crawl on the floor, and the top bunk requires taking a few ladder-like steps before hoisting yourself into the pod. Not impossible, but not exactly graceful.
Air New Zealand recommends people with mobility issues to consider the middle or bottom bunks. While flight attendants are on hand to provide a briefing about the Skynest and answer any questions, they aren’t able to help people get in and out of the beds.
When you book the Skynest, you’ll also get an amenity kit, which Air New Zealand calls the “Nestcessities.” Inside, you’ll find an eye mask, earplugs, socks, a dental kit and hand cream.
Is the Air New Zealand Skynest worth it?
For a $495 fee, Air New Zealand’s new Skynest sleep pods are an expensive add-on to an already expensive flight. You only get a four-hour block, which might not be a lot of time if you have trouble falling asleep.
However, a solid four hours of sleep can make a huge difference in how rested you feel after your flight and how long it takes to get over the jet lag from a trip halfway around the world.
Air New Zealand’s New York to Auckland flight typically takes off in the evening and arrives in New Zealand in the morning. If it were me, I would be more inclined to book the second session on those flights, so I’m ready to start exploring once I land.
If you do want to book it on the return flight to New York, the first session will probably be the more popular timing, since that flight usually takes off from New Zealand in the evening and lands in the evening.
