Air New Zealand delays debut of Skynest sleeping berths until 2025

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Air New Zealand delays debut of Skynest sleeping berths until 2025

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Mary Kirby Editor and Publisher | Runway Girl Network

By Sky Industry News

Jul 15, 2024

Air New Zealand’s planned debut of Skynest stacked sleeping berths in ultra-long-haul economy class is delayed, but management expects the first-of-its-kind product to launch on a brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2025.

This development offers good news for economy class passengers seeking a lie-flat nap in a proper bed on the carrier’s ultra-long-haul flights between New Zealand and North America. Celebrating a decade of Dreamliner service, the Auckland-based carrier currently operates 14 Boeing 787-9s and has orders for eight more 787s.

“In 2025, we’re expecting the delivery of our first new Dreamliner from Boeing. Our first aircraft will include our new interior products and will have the added bonus of the highly anticipated Skynest,” said Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty in a statement. “We know our customers are eagerly anticipating the next evolution of our Dreamliners and we can’t wait for them to experience our most innovative aircraft to date.”

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Some travelers believe Skynest will be a significant improvement for long-haul coach travel. In an interview with Travel Age West, Air New Zealand’s general manager for the Americas, Ben Evers-Swindell, elaborated on when Skynest will be available: “We’re launching Skynest on our brand-new Dreamliner that, all going well, we’ll be taking delivery of late next year. It will be a special configuration that’s designed for ultra-long-haul flying on our Auckland to New York service.”

This delivery schedule aligns with management’s February update to investors, which sees the carrier taking two 787s in its 2026 fiscal year (beginning July 1, 2025). Supporting the Skynest program, ST Engineering revealed last year that it had signed a letter of intent with Air New Zealand to help add Skynest via a retrofit program.

Skynest is situated between premium economy and economy cabins and features six sleeping pods arranged in triple bunks. Each pod includes personal ventilation, a reading light, bedding with a full-size pillow, ear plugs, a USB port, and special lighting designed for rest. The pods can be booked for one four-hour session at approximately NZ$400-$600.

The product was initially expected to debut on flights from Auckland to New York and Chicago starting September this year. Meanwhile, Air New Zealand is preparing for a retrofit of an in-service 787-9 that includes its Business Premier cabin product and updated Economy seats.

Geraghty emphasized that the twinjet has been crucial in expanding their network due to its fuel efficiency making it ideal for ultra-long-haul travel. More than 11 million passengers have already experienced Air New Zealand’s Dreamliner services.

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