Air New Zealand’s Skycouch is A Game-Changer for Economy Fliers—But is It Worth the Upgrade?

20.12.2024 - 00:53 / afar.com

While many airlines are racing to make the front of the plane more comfortable, Air New Zealand has an additional focus: improving the experience for economy passengers with the airline’s innovative Skycouch and Skynest economy seat add-ons.

Although the Skynest—a set of bunk beds available to rent for a four-hour block during flights—isn’t scheduled to launch until 2025—the Skycouch option has been available since 2011. It’s an appealing upgrade, particularly on long-haul flights, since it offers an entire airline row (for one or two passengers) that converts into a lay-flat “couch,” complete with sheets, blankets, and pillows, aimed at giving fliers a more comfortable space to nap.

Recently, I flew in Air New Zealand’s Skycouch to see if it’s worth the additional cost compared to a standard economy seat, and here’s what I found.

Skycouch rows look like normal economy rows to start, but there are a few key differences.

Photo by Jessie Beck

At first glance, it might seem like Air New Zealand’s Skycouch is just three empty seats—a chance to book and reserve an entire row for just you or you and one other person—but there’s one key difference. Each seat in these dedicated rows has a footrest that can flip up and, when fully extended, eliminate the legroom area in front of the seats. This creates a platform that spans from your seatback to the back of the seat ahead. When all three footrests are raised, the row transforms into a “couch” that maximizes the entire space: seat, legroom, and all.

The configuration is flexible, too. You can choose to extend the footrest on one, two, or all three seats, depending on whether or not you’re traveling solo or sharing with a friend or family member.

Each row comes with a sheet you can place on top of the seat, three standard airplane blankets, and a pair of large, plush pillows similar to what’s provided in business class (in addition to your standard economy-class airplane pillows), so you can transform your row into a cozy-feeling lay-flat bed space. Special seatbelt attachments are also provided so you can strap in safely with the belt across you while sleeping—infant-sized versions are available as well.

When all leg rests are flipped up, it creates a fully lay-flat platform.

Photo by Jessie Beck

I tested the Skycouch seat option on a 12-hour flight between Auckland and San Francisco and was excited to give it a go. Since we were boarding late in the evening, I was ready to have a quick bite and go to sleep—especially knowing I’d soon be able to lie down horizontally.

Shortly after boarding, one of the flight attendants came around to all passengers in the Skycouch rows to double-check that they knew how to operate it and deliver a set of instructions. (Even