long-haul
Inside Air New Zealand’s new long-haul sleep pods
Air New Zealand has announced a new option for long-haul passengers, giving them the opportunity to sleep in-flight with Skynest, a six-pod configured sleep zone. Jasleen Mann profiles the airline’s new offering.
Image: copyright
Skynest, to be introduced in 2024, will provide Air New Zealand passengers with a lie-flat option for long-haul flights. The pods include a full-size pillow, sheets and a blanket, ear plugs, and lighting designed for rest. The pods also feature a separate reading light, personal device USB outlet, and a ventilation outlet.
“Research shows us the first night away from home is the hardest to get a good night’s sleep,” says Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer. “So everything we do onboard is to help create a sense of calm – from the lighting and sleep ritual including sleepy teas and balms, to the healthier food choices and breathable fabrics.
“Meditative onscreen content will also help customers unwind and get ready for rest.”
Feedback from customer research, gathered over five years, has highlighted customer interest in getting a good night’s sleep on their journey, as well as the need for more space and comfort.
Sweat dreams on new Dreamliners
The length of the pods has been measured at around 203cm (80 inches), while width at the shoulder is around 58.4cm (23 inches). Although there is no in-flight entertainment within the pod, passengers can bring their own device and headphones.
“New Zealand’s location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-long-haul travel experience,” says Geraghty.
“We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort, and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive well-rested. Whether they are heading straight into a meeting, or to their first holiday hotspot – they want to hit the ground running.”
As a result, eight new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and the retrofitted current 787-9 fleet will have either eight or four Business Premier Luxe seats, 42 or 22 Business Premier, 52 or 33 Premium Economy, 125 or 213 Economy seats, and six Skynest sleep pods on long-haul flights.
Geraghty says: “When our new Dreamliners arrive from 2024, we will give customers more choices than any airline in the world, with a suite of seven seat experiences.
“But it isn’t just about a seat, it’s the whole flying experience. Air New Zealand has an ambition to create the greatest flying experience on Earth and we believe the new cabin, combined with world-leading Kiwi hospitality, is the winning formula.”
London – At the start of April, baggage handlers at Heathrow Airport planned a walkout after being told that their pay would be frozen. This came amid revenue growth for their employer, Vanderlande Industries. Although the strike, arranged by the Unite union, was postponed following a pay offer, Heathrow could witness more walkouts over the months ahead.
As of 18 May, British Airways workers – mostly airport check-in and ground staff – are being balloted for industrial action. The issue in contention is a 10% pay cut they faced during the pandemic, which has yet not been reinstated. If they vote in favour, strike action would take place over the summer holiday period, with a view to causing maximum disruption.
“BA has now restored the pay of managers but has kept the cut for these workers. This is why our members have voted overwhelmingly to proceed to strike action. This is about paying the rate for the job,” said Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary.
Amsterdam – On 23 April, ground personnel at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport staged a walkout. The unannounced strike, by KLM baggage handlers, came in protest over poor working conditions. It caused widespread chaos, particularly since it was the start of the school holidays and Schiphol was already experiencing staff shortages.
Passengers were urged to stay away from the airport, with authorities declaring “the terminal is too full at the moment”. Over the subsequent four days, 150 KLM flights were cancelled.
“We do not expect the staff shortage to be resolved before the summer, but we do expect the quality of employment and the wellbeing of current employees to be protected,” said Joost van Doesburg, campaign leader at the Dutch union, FNV.
Warsaw – In late April, Warsaw airport narrowly averted thousands of flight cancellations, after air traffic control unions struck an eleventh-hour deal with the Polish authorities. Again, the dispute was around pay and working conditions. Air traffic controllers had seen their salaries slashed during the pandemic, sometimes by as much as 70%. Many had threatened to quit, rather than comply with new working regulations they claimed threatened safety.
In an agreement that will last only till July 10th, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA) agreed they would pay the workers the same salaries as pre-pandemic. Time will tell what happens over the longer term, but negotiations are set to continue.
Further upgrades to long-haul routes
Elsewhere, Air New Zealand has added a Sky Pantry service to the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, allowing passengers to eat and drink when they want to.
The cabin’s interior design is inspired by the carrier’s home country, including the forest-inspired carpet and seats drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s native bird, the Tui.
Sustainability has also been a key consideration in the design process. In economy, the new serviceware is expected to reduce plastic dishes that are used inflight by 28 million units each year.
It’s going to be a real game changer, adding more flexibility to the economy travel experience.
Furthermore, modern fabrics have been used instead of leather, which has saved around 1kg in weight per Business Premier and Premium Economy seat. Overall, carbon emissions have been lowered as a result. In addition, premium cabins will switch to servicewear that is 20% lighter.
“This has never been done before so has required a lot of innovation, design and engineering. Real innovation comes in solving issues around viability and feasibility. It’s going to be a real game changer, adding more flexibility to the economy travel experience,” says Geraghty.
Air New Zealand is working on a booking system that will allow its passengers to book four-hour sessions in the sleep pods on their long-haul flights and the cost of the bookings are still being considered. Due to the expected popularity of this feature, passengers can only book one session per flight.
All images credit: Air New Zealand'
London
At the start of April, baggage handlers at Heathrow Airport planned a walkout after being told that their pay would be frozen. This came amid revenue growth for their employer, Vanderlande Industries. Although the strike, arranged by the Unite union, was postponed following a pay offer, Heathrow could witness more walkouts over the months ahead.
As of 18 May, British Airways workers – mostly airport check-in and ground staff – are being balloted for industrial action. The issue in contention is a 10% pay cut they faced during the pandemic, which has yet not been reinstated. If they vote in favour, then strike action would take place over the summer holiday period, with a view to causing maximum disruption.
“BA has now restored the pay of managers but has kept the cut for these workers. This is why our members have voted overwhelmingly to proceed to strike action. This is about paying the rate for the job,” said Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary.
Amsterdam
On 23 April, ground personnel at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport staged a walkout. The unannounced strike, by KLM baggage handlers, came in protest over poor working conditions. It caused widespread chaos, particularly since it was the start of the school holidays and Schiphol was already experiencing staff shortages.
Passengers were urged to stay away from the airport, with authorities declaring “the terminal is too full at the moment”. Over the subsequent four days, 150 KLM flights were cancelled.
“We do not expect the staff shortage to be resolved before the summer, but we do expect the quality of employment and the wellbeing of current employees to be protected,” said Joost van Doesburg, campaign leader at the Dutch union, FNV.
Warsaw
In late April, Warsaw airport narrowly averted thousands of flight cancellations, after air traffic control unions struck an eleventh-hour deal with the Polish authorities. Again, the dispute was around pay and working conditions.
Air traffic controllers had seen their salaries slashed during the pandemic, sometimes by as much as 70%. Many had threatened to quit, rather than comply with new working regulations they claimed threatened safety.
In an agreement that will last only till July 10th, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency agreed they would pay the workers the same salaries as pre-pandemic. Time will tell what happens over the longer term, but negotiations are set to continue.
