Low-cost lie-flat beds are coming to economy flights: Meet Air New Zealand's $500 'Skynest'

The Skynest will be located in the middle of the plane.

A spokesperson for ANZ said the mid-galley was removed to make space for the Skynest, with only five economy seats in total cut. The aft galley, where meals are stored and heated before service, is now larger.

To start, passengers will be able to choose the exact bunk they want during booking; empty bunks will eventually be bookable on demand at the airport.

It features curtains, power, and a seatbelt.

Each of the six bunks has a black privacy curtain that slides closed. This darkens the space and cuts you off from your up to five neighbors sleeping nearby.

The pod wall stretches far to keep passengers from falling out, but they must also wear the provided seatbelt over the blanket.

Flyers get soft linens and an amenity kit.

The bed stretches about six and a half feet long, and each nest is about two feet wide at the shoulders and roughly 16 inches at the feet.

That's about the length of most business class beds, but in a more confined space. To get in, I had to climb up the steps, lie down on the bed with my head toward the pillow, and then shimmy myself in — not pretty, but manageable.

Each nest comes with a pillow, a light blanket, and an amenity kit with socks, toiletries, earplugs, and an eye mask. The linens were soft and plush, though not business-class quality.

I'd prefer the bottom or middle bunks.

There's a ladder to reach the uppermost bunks, but that could be dicey for some passengers during unexpected turbulence. I'd prioritize the middle or bottom bunks simply for maneuverability.

A spokesperson said the bottom and middle bunks are disability-friendly, adding that ANZ tested them with wheelchair users, but individuals still have to get in and out on their own.

Flyers will eat before or after their block.

All flyers will have their first meal before the first block begins. Flight attendants will gently wake passengers before taking 30 minutes to change the linens.

The second group will then use the nests before the second meal service. A spokesperson said that if turbulence disrupts anyone's session because they can't safely get to the Skynest, passengers will be refunded for the time lost.

You must be 15 or older.

A spokesperson said flyers must be at least 15 to use the Skynest to reduce the risk of younger teens and children climbing or disrupting other customers.

I'd book the Skynest to fight jet lag.

The nearly $500 price tag translates to about $125 per hour per flight, with fixed booking blocks that can't be adjusted. It's not cheap or flexible, but it's less than the up to $600 initially floated by ANZ.

I'm short and don't mind tight spaces, so I know I'd sleep well in the nest — and four hours is enough for me to function.

I'd book it specifically on the outbound to Auckland to help battle the jet lag that comes with crossing 16 time zones.

The Skynest is ANZ's second economy bed.

ANZ pioneered the Skycouch in 2011. It's pricier than the Skynest, often costing over $1,000 one-way, but it's available for the entire flight and can host up to two adults and one child.

Ravishankar said it's particularly popular among families: "I have two young kids, so either mom or dad can take the Skycouch with them," he said. "It's perfect; we've had many family holidays in the Skycouch."

I flew it in 2022 and loved it for one person; I slept more than half the flight.