Air New Zealand has announced its world-first sleep pods will be available to book from next month.
The airline said its SkyNest sleep pods for economy and premium economy travellers would be available on new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from November.
The pods would see six individual pods arranged in a bunk-style layout between economy and premium economy cabins, with customers able to lie flat and catch some sleep for up to four hours per person, per flight.
Asked whether it would be possible to book a "back to back" session, Air New Zealand's digital officer Jeremy O'Brien told Breakfast "no".
"So the way we'll be selling it intially is it's one session for one person per flight, so you can't book a back to back session, we want to give as many of our customers in economy the option to have a lie-flat sleep as posisble."
He added that it would be rolled out on ultra long haul flights first.
"So the likes of Auckland-New York, and so we'll make them available on those ultra long haul flights first, have them out in operation and as we assess customer demand we'll hope to bring out on more flights in the coming years."
So, how much does it set you back?
The four-hour sessions were priced from $495 per bed.
O'Brien said: "We did a lot of testing with customers, and that's the price they felt was great on a long haul flight to get your head down, to lie flat and get a great nights' sleep. So that's what we'll be bringing them to market at," he told Breakfast.
He said a lot of research had been done on sleep cycles.
"So a four-hour slot gives you over two and a half sleep cycles, and so that gives you a chance to settle in, get a good deep sleep, be really well rested. And that's one of the biggest thing customers asked for on long-haul flights.
"They find sitting in economy cabin for 15 hours plus is quite long, and the ability to put your head down and get a good rest is hugely valuable to them."
O'Brien said customers tested were "really willing to pay that".
How much per hour for Air NZ's world first economy Skynest beds? - watch on TVNZ+
"We did a huge amount of customer testing with it, and we tested a wide range, and that sat in the position where most customers said that was 'absolutely worth it'."
"The feedback from customers was unanimously that this is fantastic, it really changes and breaks up my flight, and I feel really rested."
Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said Skynest was "another example of the airline backing innovation that improves the travel experience and strengthens New Zealand’s connection to the world".
"For a country as remote as New Zealand, the journey matters. International tourism is an $18.1 billion NZD industry, but growth depends on travellers’ willingness to spend long hours in the air to get here," he said.
SkyNest would be available to book from May 18, 2026 and available on services from November 2026.
It comes at a tough time for airlines, with the US and Israel's war on Iran sparking soaring fuel prices.
Airlines, including Air New Zealand, have cut flights and raised prices, with Ravishankar saying its daily fuel bill had doubled.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a surprise run from a former All Blacks captain, and Air NZ reveals the cost of its latest sleep innovation. (Source: 1News)
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