Air New Zealand launches Skynest between New York and Auckland

Air New Zealand, the national airline of New Zealand, is preparing to introduce one of the most interesting innovations for those who face very long-haul flights: Skynest, an area with sleeping cabins designed to offer Economy and Premium Economy passengers the opportunity to really sleep in flight. 

The new service will debut from November 2026 on the company's Boeing 787-9s and will be bookable from May 18, 2026 exclusively on some ultra-long-haul flights between New York and Auckland.

Designed for longer routes to and from New Zealand, Skynest features six individual fully reclining capsules, arranged in a bunk style between the Economy cabin and Premium Economy. The goal is to offer a concrete option to those who want to face the journey with greater comfort, being able to lie horizontally and rest for a few hours during the flight.

The service will be available as an extra for passengers who already have an Economy or Premium Economy ticket, who will be able to add a four-hour session. In a first phase, there will be two sessions per flight, with prices starting from 495 New Zealand dollars per session (about 255-260 euros, depending on the exchange rate).

Each capsule has been developed to create a space that is as quiet and private as possible. On board, Travellers will find a full-length mattress, pillow linen, sheets and blanket, a privacy curtain, ambient lighting designed to accompany rest and wake-up, as well as USB-A and USB-C ports to charge personal devices. The equipment is completed by the reading light, the ventilation vent, the crew call button, the integrated seat belt and a kit with eye mask, earplugs, socks and Aotea skincare products.

According to Air New Zealand, the four-hour duration has been designed taking into account the natural sleep cycles, so as to allow passengers to relax, fall asleep and wake up gradually. The project has been developed over several years and tested with over 200 customers.

For those flying to New Zealand, Skynest can be a particularly relevant novelty. On longer intercontinental routes, the possibility of booking a real bed space could make the journey more manageable, especially for those who leave in Economy or Premium Economy and want to arrive at their destination more rested.

Air New Zealand

Founded in 1940 with the first connection between Auckland and Sydney operated by a Short S30 seaplane, Air New Zealand is now New Zealand's flag carrier with a modern fleet consisting of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, Airbus A320s, ATRs and Q300s. With an average age of 9.9 years, the fleet stands out for its efficiency and comfort. In 2024, the airline carried over 16 million passengers, connecting 20 regions of New Zealand on the domestic network and offering direct flights to destinations in Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia and North America. What makes its planes recognizable is the tail livery with the Mangōpare, a Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark associated with strength, tenacity and resilience.