New Skynests from Air New Zealand to launch this month
The new economy class Skynests from Air New Zealand are set to launch for passengers this month. Here are the details…
Air New Zealand Skynests to launch
Air New Zealand’s much-anticipated Skynests are due to launch this month. The new offering from the New Zealand flag carrier will allow economy class passengers way more comfort on long-haul flights in the form of bunk beds and couches.
The airline first announced the Skynest concept last year, revealing that the Skynest sleeper pods will be featured on eight new Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets.
According to previous reports, Air New Zealand will begin installing the bed option on its extra long-haul flights, beginning with flights from New York and Chicago to New Zealand, with plans to expand to European and Asian flights soon.
The airline revealed that the six bunk bed pods would be located between the economy and premium economy cabins and that passengers would be able to book four-hour sleep sessions per use.
How much?
Passengers will be able to pre-book a slot in the Skynest pod for between NZ$400-$600 (R4 580 – R6 780), in addition to the regular cost of their ticket. The cabin crew will also change out the bedding in each pod after each use.
“The airline did a fair bit of research around sleep cycles. A typical sleep cycle is around 90 minutes, so a four-hour session gives the opportunity for customers to wind down, fall asleep and wake up,” an Air New Zealand representative told CNN Travel in 2022.
Skynests will include USB charging ports, a reading light, ear plugs, full-size sheets, a blanket, a pillow as well as seatbelts to make sure that the beds adhere to onboard safety protocols.
New Zealand to hike visa costs this October
In related news, travellers to New Zealand will also need to be aware of the scheduled visa price hike set to happen this October.
New Zealand is set to increase the cost of tourist visas by 60% next month.
The price of a visitor visa will now increase steeply from NZD211 (+/-R2 300) to NZD341 (+/-R3 700).
The increase will apply from 1 October and will affect all visa categories, including temporary visas, residence visas, student visas and tourist visas.
Student visa fees, in particular, will see a substantial hike, doubling from NZ$375 to NZ$750.