Air New Zealand will install Sky Nest double decker bays for economy and premium class passengers starting in 2024.

Air New Zealand will install Sky Nest double decker bays for economy and premium class passengers starting in 2024

Air New Zealand will install flat bunk beds, known as "SkyNests," in the back of the economy class cabin starting in 2024. Photo:

Air New Zealand is trying to put you to sleep. Air New Zealand is not going to continue to show footage of All Blacks' best attempts on its entertainment channels (or rather, as far as we know, it's not going to). The airline wishes you a comfortable flight in its new Skynest, a new type of plane that is designed to make you feel like you're in the air.

As part of a sweeping cabin upgrade, including business class, announced this week at Oakland, the world's first lie-flat berths will be available 18 months after eight Boeing 787 Dreamliner

 airliners arrive.

Along with significant improvements in the business and premium economy, the Kiwi carrier boasts that it offers "the best choice among all airlines in three cabins for the best sleep in the sky."

Sky Nest, available to economy and premium passengers, accommodates six people in a streamlined tiered bed surrounded by pink light. The new capsules are similar to compartments on long-distance trains, their use is limited to a maximum of four hours.

Air New Zealand will also introduce new Business Premier Lux and Business Premier seats starting in 2024 when it launches a nonstop 17-hour, 40-minute ultra-long-haul flight between Auckland and New York in September. In addition, Premium Economy seats will allow passengers to recline freely without disturbing those sitting behind them, and Economy Stretch will be offered for those who want more legroom than in a standard Economy seat. Air New Zealand will also continue to offer the SkyCouch for sleeping and lounging, which provides room for three passengers.

SkyNest was born out of a desire to offer economy class passengers the ability to lie in bed. SkyNest will make a huge difference in economy class travel. According to Foran, New Zealand is uniquely positioned to become a leader in ultra-long-haul air travel because of its geographic remoteness. The innovative SkyNest airplane concept was first introduced in 2020, but plans for its introduction were delayed due to the pandemic.

The airline's new Business Premier Luxe seats, designed for those lucky enough to be seated in so-called pontoons, will have companion lounge space and, importantly, what will become standard on most premium airlines above that class, a sliding privacy system.

Beginning in 2024, Air New Zealand, which in September will launch a 17-hour, 40-minute nonstop ultra-long-haul flight between Auckland and New York, will also introduce new deluxe suites and business premier seats.

In the premium class cabin, the cookware will be 20% lighter, which will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. And in economy class, the "new utensils" will reduce the amount of plastic utensils used on board by 28 million per year. This alone will undoubtedly help airline accountants sleep better on board.

The airline also plans to introduce Sky Pantry in premium and economy class cabins, allowing passengers to stretch their legs, eat and drink water on board. However, Air New Zealand had better avoid jokes about counting sheep. In addition to seats, Air New Zealand also thinks about business (as well as premium economy and economy) when it comes to sleep, including lighting, tea and cream, and healthy food.

Also offered is "contemplative screen content" called "Zentertainment" (which does not include footage of the All Blacks game).