One of the biggest problems that many people face when going on a long-distance flight (and sometimes on short-term flights) is how difficult it can be to cram into economy seating. The seats are not as comfortable as they could be and it makes the journey difficult at times.
If you struggle with this situation, you might be interested in knowing what Air New Zealand is up to. According to CNN, they are testing something that is known as their Skynest concept, and it’s enough to get any long distance travel excited.
If you’ve ever dreamed of being comfortable on a long-distance flight without the cost of first-class, you will want to see some of their full-length sleeping pods. It really gives you the opportunity to stretch your legs and catch a nap while you are between here and there.
This initiative is set to become a reality in 2024 when the Boeing 787 Dreamliners are also rolled out. For any flights that are 17 hours or longer, they will be available.
The pods are somewhat limited, but with a four-hour shift available to be booked, it can really make a difference in how much you enjoy the travel experience. They look very comfortable, at least according to the pictures that were shared on the official Twitter account:
Skynest
It’s time to swap the headrest for some bed rest. Say hello to the world’s first sleep pods in the sky, Skynest. Stretch out in one of six pods for part of your journey and catch some shut-eye. A game-changer for economy travellers pic.twitter.com/3YSSuIUna8
— Air New Zealand ✈️ (@FlyAirNZ) June 28, 2022
As far as the location of the pods is concerned, the tweet says that they will be located between the economy class and the Premium Economy. You can also expect to enjoy some of the amenities that come with them, including a reading light, earplugs, bedding with a full-sized pillow, ventilation, and a USB port.
The airline is also interested in your hygiene as well as your comfort, so they will be changing the bedding after each session.
A spokesman spoke about a typical sleep cycle, which is around 90 minutes. Since you will be in the pod for four hours, you have plenty of time to wind down, fall asleep, and wake up again.
In order to make room for the six Skynest sleeping pods, they will be removing five economy seats. A Sky Pantry will also be added to both the economy and premium economy cabins, allowing people on those long-distance flights to get up and enjoy a bite to eat or a drink.