Whereas many airways are racing to make the entrance of the aircraft extra comfy, Air New Zealand has a further focus: bettering the expertise for financial system passengers with the airline’s progressive Skycouch and Skynest financial system seat add-ons.
Though the Skynest—a set of bunk beds out there to lease for a four-hour block throughout flights—isn’t scheduled to launch till 2026—the Skycouch choice has been out there since 2011. It’s an interesting improve, notably on long-haul flights, because it provides a complete airline row (for one or two passengers) that converts right into a lay-flat “sofa,” full with sheets, blankets, and pillows, aimed toward giving fliers a extra comfy area to nap.
Just lately, I flew in Air New Zealand’s Skycouch to see if it’s well worth the extra value in comparison with a typical financial system seat, and right here’s what I discovered.
What’s the Air New Zealand Skycouch and the way does it work?
At first look, it’d look like Air New Zealand’s Skycouch is simply three empty seats—an opportunity to e book and reserve a complete row for simply you otherwise you and one different particular person—however there’s one key distinction. Every seat in these devoted rows has a footrest that may flip up and, when totally prolonged, remove the legroom space in entrance of the seats. This creates a platform that spans out of your seatback to the again of the seat forward. When all three footrests are raised, the row transforms right into a “sofa” that maximizes all the area: seat, legroom, and all.
The configuration is versatile, too. You possibly can select to increase the footrest on one, two, or all three seats, relying on whether or not or not you’re touring solo or sharing with a pal or member of the family.
Every row comes with a sheet you may place on prime of the seat, three normal airplane blankets, and a pair of enormous, plush pillows much like what’s supplied in enterprise class (along with your normal economy-class airplane pillows), so you may remodel your row right into a cozy-feeling lay-flat mattress area. Particular seatbelt attachments are additionally supplied so you may strap in safely with the belt throughout you whereas sleeping—infant-sized variations can be found as properly.
How comfy is the Skycouch?
I examined the Skycouch seat choice on a 12-hour flight between Auckland and San Francisco and was excited to present it a go. Since we have been boarding late within the night, I used to be able to have a fast chunk and fall asleep—particularly realizing I’d quickly be capable to lie down horizontally.
Shortly after boarding, one of many flight attendants got here round to all passengers within the Skycouch rows to double-check that they knew the way to function it and ship a set of directions. (Even so, I nonetheless managed to make use of the “sheet” as a blanket till she kindly instructed me I had “gotten it backward.”) Since I used to be touring alone, she beneficial that I arrange the window and center seats earlier than dinner service however go away the aisle seat like regular so I may comfortably eat with the tray desk down. Behind me, an older couple who was sharing their Skycouch row took an identical method, with the spouse sitting cross-legged within the center and window seat within the Skycouch place, and the husband sitting usually within the aisle seat.
Throughout the meal service, the flight attendants additionally politely requested all passengers to place their seats in an upright place to make consuming extra comfy for these behind them. Whereas not distinctive to these of us within the Skycouch rows, I nonetheless thought it was a considerate element and indicative of the pleasant on-board service. Skycouch passengers obtain the usual financial system meal—I had a surprisingly tasty meal of lamb and rice with a aspect of veggies, plus ice cream for dessert.
After dinner service, I totally transformed the row right into a mattress and settled in to get some sleep—and I used to be capable of nap for just a few hours. Though the “sofa” was a bit arduous and never as comfy as, say, my mattress at dwelling or a business-class seat, it was nonetheless a sport changer to have the ability to lie down horizontally and provides my decrease again a break.
Because you’re within the financial system cabin, although, that is just about the place the perks finish. There’s no particular meals service or additional amenity package like what you’ll obtain in Air New Zealand’s Premium Economic system cabin. However in case you’re flying an extended, in a single day route, and your precedence is sleep, it may nonetheless be a worthwhile funding.
When totally prolonged, the sofa measures 5 toes 1 inch (155 cm) lengthy and 29 inches (74 cm) huge. In comparison with Air New Zealand’s business-class lay-flat seats, that are 6 toes 7 inches (200 cm) lengthy and 22 inches (56 cm) huge, it’s shorter however really a bit wider.
At 5 toes 3 inches tall, I used to be capable of lie down, although I nonetheless needed to curl up somewhat to keep away from having my toes poke out into the aisle whereas napping. General, I discovered it roomy sufficient to lie down comfortably and truly go to sleep. It additionally felt a bit extra personal than the present business-class expertise, which makes use of a herringbone configuration that arranges seats diagonally in order that passengers are barely going through the particular person throughout the row from them. (Air New Zealand is within the strategy of overhauling its fleet, and with the addition of the Skynests additionally plans to replace these to extra personal business-class pods.)
How a lot does it value?
Despite the fact that you get three seats, the price of a Skycouch doesn’t equal the price of three full-fare financial system seats. Fairly, it’s a per row add-on. Costs differ by route and demand, however typically, anticipate to pay round $1,100–$2,000 per row, a technique.
Since that is per row, not per ticket, it’s even less expensive for 2 vacationers, since that $1,100–$2,000 add-on value breaks right down to round $550–$1,000 per ticket, a technique.
For instance, when flights for April 2025 for one traveler between San Francisco and Auckland, the choices have been:
- Commonplace Economic system seat: $593 (a technique)
- Skycouch: $1,593 (a technique)
- Premium Economic system: $1,928 (a technique)
- Enterprise: $4,579 (a technique)
Nevertheless, if I have been touring with one different particular person, it turns into much more cost-effective, with the next costs per particular person:
- Commonplace Economic system seat: $593 (a technique)
- Skycouch: $1,093 (a technique)
- Premium Economic system: $1,928 (a technique)
- Enterprise: $4,579 (a technique)
That stated, you do lose a little bit of area in case you’re sharing with a further particular person—it’s not very sensible to have two adults mendacity down on the similar time, so that you’re extra prone to swap off on mendacity down on two seats or get inventive (and comfy).
Is it value it?
General, I believe it’s a worthwhile add-on if you wish to sleep extra comfortably, with out the price of a business-class seat. Although, for many vacationers, it’s principally going to return down to private price range and particular person priorities for the in-flight expertise.
For instance, the Skycouch will be comparable in worth to a seat in Premium Economic system for a solo traveler. Nevertheless, Premium Economic system seats recline however don’t lie totally flat, and you might really feel as if you may have rather less privateness in case you’re sitting subsequent to a stranger.
The group of vacationers this seat choice is most interesting for? Households with children. I’m not a dad or mum (simply an auntie to many), however I can see how good it might be to present little ones more room to lie down, unfold out, and nap. The flexibleness in configuration additionally signifies that dad and mom can select to take a seat upright in a traditional seat configuration within the aisle seat whereas a toddler is “contained” within the center and window seats—or lay flat and cuddle. And sure, in case your children are very small you may technically e book a Skycouch for 3 passengers, which additional lowers the fee per ticket for the improve.
After all, in case you are touring with small children, it’s additionally value weighing the fee in opposition to merely buying a product, such because the Stokke suitcase, that does primarily the identical factor however for a cheaper price of $229.
All in all, although, in case your predominant precedence is getting a little bit of shut-eye on an extended flight, it’s a singular and worthwhile improve for the extra consolation.