Airlines frequently introduce cutting-edge new products in their business- or first-class cabins to entice and impress affluent passengers. Perhaps less frequently seen is that kind of progressive thinking when it comes to economy class seating.
On the other hand, the team at Air New Zealand is improving every aspect of the aircraft, including the impending Skynest, a first-of-its-kind product that will launch on its new B787-900 Dreamliner in the second half of 2025. For an estimated $250–$400, travelers can reserve one of six private sleep pods from Skynest in a bunk-bed layout for a four-hour lie-flat sleep session on extremely long flights.
The airline will also be launching its new Business Premier Luxe product later this year, even before that industry-first choice becomes available. More room and privacy for passengers will be provided by rearranging the first four business class seats. There will also be a modest gathering area where two people can eat together (at a real table), have a drink, and interact in other ways.
An interview was conducted with Air New Zealand's general manager for the Americas, Ben Evers-Swindell, to learn more about these impending services and the airline's strategy for additional onboard service classes.
What inspired Air New Zealand to do something so innovative in its economy-class cabin?
Perhaps this is just my own view, but egalitarianism is ingrained in New Zealand society. And in my opinion, that culture truly permeates every aspect of our operations, including the layout of our planes and our interactions with customers. We take great satisfaction in our investments made in each and every cabin, but we are very clear about how much more attention we pay to the economy cabin.
Furthermore, it's critical that we give those economic travelers extra comfort and assistance considering the usual length of time spent traveling internationally [to and from New Zealand].
"We pride ourselves on and are very specific about the investment we make in all cabins, but in particular, the difference in our focus on the economy cabin"
Tell us a bit about the upcoming Skynest concept.
If everything goes according to plan, we should be receiving our brand-new Dreamliner late next year, on which we are launching Skynest. (Because it's a Boeing, there has been a minor delay.) It will be a unique configuration created for our ultra-long-haul Auckland to New York route.
The aim behind the six bunks on the Skynest, three of which are stacked on top of one another, is to allow some of the passengers traveling in economy and premium economy to have four-hour periods of uninterrupted sleep. In addition to having their own air vents and lighting, those bunks will also include a pillow, sheet, and blanket (which will be changed between seatings). In between those times, they will also include carefully crafted illumination to gradually awaken people.
And the idea for Skynest was partially driven by guest feedback, correct?
In a big way. For most of our guests, rest and sleep come first, especially on longer flights. And being able to lie flat is one of the most crucial components of rest. That's what our customers have said in overwhelming numbers.
The design of this new aircraft likewise involved extensive input, spanning 170,000 hours over five years. Thus, there has been no lack of client consultation, as well as consultation with sleep experts and other specialists.
While not new, Skycouch is another innovative economy offering. Tell us a little about that product.
Since 2010, Skycouch has served us faithfully. Air New Zealand has a patent on this novel product. And once more, the chance for individuals to lie down is the fundamental idea behind it. In our economy cabin, we have designated rows with foot rests that genuinely rise to line with the seat alignment. You can actually lay back on it like a couch, or lie down across it, because all of the armrests are movable, including the ones that are up against the window.
Couples were supposed to lie spoon-like in the original design. However, we've seen that families with small children—whose parents value their ability to lay down and get a good night's sleep—are the ones who have used it the most. Thus, an adult may be seated while one or more children are lying down beside them. Alternatively, you may also have a parent who is lying down with a youngster. The options for configuration change based on the specifications.
Travelers traveling alone have also taken a particular interest in it, often reserving the entire row.
Moving up the plane, Business Premier Luxe is the other product that's upcoming, right?
We've included Business Premier Luxe into the new aircraft design. The good news is that, as part of our retrofit, we will be introducing Business Premier Luxe and the entire new Business Premier cabin layout before the end of this year.
The forests of New Zealand, or Aotearoa, served as inspiration for the entire cabin design. The intention is that as soon as our passengers board the aircraft, they will have the impression that they are strolling into New Zealand. A emphasis on sustainability is also present: contemporary textiles are being used in place of leather. This lowers fuel use and weight, which lowers carbon emissions.
The flagship product is Business Premier Luxe, where we are making greater use of the cabin's front four seats, which have traditionally taken up a lot of room for stowage. We are now providing individuals in the front four seats with more room and comfort. It offers slightly greater seclusion and slightly more room. Furthermore, this is the most luxurious thing we've offered in our business class.
It's also possible for you to have a second seatmate. While you cannot fly together during takeoff or landing, you are permitted to sit and even dine together while in flight when the seatbelt sign is not on.
Are there any changes coming to Premium Economy?
We've received numerous accolades for our Premium Economy offering. There won't be any significant modifications because it's highly well-liked and successful. However, since the seat pitch will be moving within of an enclosed frame, shifting your seat forward or backward won't affect the person sitting behind you. Additionally, there will be bigger screens there.
However, since premium economy on some carriers is just an extension of economy, the simplest way to characterize ours is as a modest descent from business class. This cabin has excellent maintenance. We provide Premium Economy travelers with business-class meals. The headphones that Business Premier passengers receive are the same ones that you receive. We get that premium service offering and the entire experience has a very similar look and feel, which may be why we won so many accolades in that cabin. It surpasses the expectations of many clients.
Any other noteworthy developments that you can share?
We will be among the first airlines globally to introduce Starlink internet, which is another significant advance. Early in the next year, we will start testing this on a domestic aircraft, and if it goes well, we'll try to implement it for the whole fleet. And the ability to stream your own stuff is where that's very beneficial for passengers.
We are also implementing biometric automatic boarding, in conjunction with other North American carriers. In that regard, we are definitely keeping up with technology.
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