Air New Zealand files for new 'sleep pods' patent

There would be six pods inside each Economy Skynest, allowing passengers to stretch out on long-haul flights.

It has been developed over three years with the input of more than 200 customers.

The pods will be 6.5 feet long and come with a full-size pillow, ear plugs, privacy curtains and sleep lighting.

“We have a tremendous amount of development work under way looking at product innovations we can bring across all cabins of the aircraft,” said Mike Tod, Air New Zealand’s chief marketing and customer officer.

“A clear pain-point for economy travellers on long-haul flights is the inability to stretch out. The development of the Economy Skynest is a direct response to that challenge.”

A final decision on the new product’s viability will be made after it has been trialled for a year on the airline’s upcoming New Zealand to New York service, which will take more than 17 hours.

Economy ticket-holders will have to book a place in the Economy Skynest.

Nikki Goodman, Air New Zealand’s general manager of customer experience, said: “We’re sure this innovation is going to be a game-changer for the industry and bring significant improvements to long-haul flying.”