Air New Zealand’s latest innovation may well be the answer to all long-haul economy travellers’ prayers, with their new Skynest sleep solution guaranteeing those at the back of the plane a flight of sweet dreams and comfort.
After 3 years of extensive research and development, Air New Zealand has proudly announced a new innovation for Economy class passengers unveiling their ground-breaking new lie-flat prototype sleep product; The Skynest. With the input of more than 200 customers at its Hangar 22 innovation centre in Auckland, the airline has now filed patent and trademark applications for the Economy Skynest which provides six full-length lie-flat sleep pods.
Each pod will include a full-size pillow, sheets and blanket, earplugs along with privacy curtains and lighting designed for sleep. To top that, the airline is also exploring the additional features of a separate reading light, personal device USB outlet and ventilation outlet.
Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Customer Experience comments that “We see a future flying experience where an economy-class customer on long-haul flights would be able to book the Economy Skynest in addition to their Economy seat, get some quality rest and arrive at their destination ready to go. This is a game-changer on so many levels.”
Air New Zealand will make a final decision on whether to operate the Economy Skynest next year after it has assessed the performance of its inaugural year of Auckland-New York operations; which has a flight duration of 17 hours 40 minutes one way!
