Air New Zealand has unveiled a ground-breaking new lie-flat prototype sleep product for economy class travellers.
The Economy Skynest is the result of three years of Air New Zealand research and development, with the input of more than 200 customers at its Hangar 22 innovation centre in Auckland. The airline has today filed patent and trademark applications for the Economy Skynest which provides six full length lie-flat sleep pods.
Air New Zealand Chief Marketing and Customer Officer Mike Tod says that as the airline operates some of the world’s longest flights, such as the upcoming Auckland-New York service at around 17 hours one way, it is committed to putting more magic back into flying.
“We have a tremendous amount of development work underway looking at product innovations we can bring across all cabins of the aircraft. A clear pain point for economy travellers on long-haul flights is the inability to stretch out. The development of the Skynest is a direct response to that challenge,” Mr Tod says.
Air New Zealand will make a final decision on whether to operate the Skynest next year after it has assessed the performance of its inaugural year of Auckland-New York operations.
General Manager of Customer Experience, Nikki Goodman says customer and cabin crew feedback on the Economy Skynest during its final phase of development has been outstanding with significant partners also keenly involved.
“We see a future flying experience where an economy-class customer on long-haul flights would be able to book the Economy Skynest in addition to their Economy seat, get some quality rest and arrive at their destination ready to go. This is a game changer on so many levels,” Goodman says.
“We’re so excited to be sharing this product development with our customers. This is one of the highlights of three years’ intensive work centred on customer wellbeing. We’re sure this innovation is going to be a game changer for the industry and bring significant improvements to long haul flying. We expect other airlines will want to explore licensing the Economy Skynest from us just as they have with the Skycouch.”
Air New Zealand’s Head of Airline Programmes Kerry Reeves says ‘can do’ is one of the airline’s key values and the Economy Skynest prototype is a tangible example of this.
“At Air New Zealand, we continue to nurture a can-do attitude, we’re not afraid of being bold and trying new things. The question is never ‘can we do this’ but instead ‘is it right to do this for our customers?’ and, if so, ‘how will we do this?’”
“Our ability to take a good idea, to execute and deliver an innovation that works in our environment, our market and for our people and customers gives us an edge.”
Reeves says the scale of the challenge in developing the Economy Skynest and working through its certification with the necessary regulators is immense compared with the development of the Skycouch.
“But it was a prize worth chasing and one that we think has the potential to be a game changer for economy class travellers on all airlines around the world.”
Rheinmetall House in Bristol, UK, has officially opened as the new headquarters for Vehicle Systems International (VSI), following its recent…
SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) wishes to announce that it has agreed with Pratt and Whitney (PW) to exit from…
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has entered into a multi-year engine services agreement with Indian regional airline FLY91 for the…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully completed the maiden flight of the first Series Production Tejas Mk-1A light fighter (LA5033).…
Fincantieri and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence signed a 1.18-billion-euro contract for the supply of two Thaon di Revel-class Multipurpose…
UVision USA and Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) signed a collaboration agreement to manufacture the Hero 120 Loitering Munition system…
Survitec, a provider of critical safety and survival solutions, has secured a significant contract to equip five Type 31 Frigates…
Spire Global, Inc., a provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services, has announced a deal with South Korea’s HANCOM…
Emirates has commenced its Neste fuel agreement at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport this month, with over 2 million gallons of Sustainable…
AirAsia Malaysia announced the resumption of its Kuala Lumpur-Vientiane route commencing on 2nd July 2024 on Tuesday (Mar. 26). This…
A new A321-200PF freighter joined the Royal Jordanian (RJ) fleet on March 24, bolstering its capacity to meet the cargo…
Jordan Airmotive and National Airlines have expanded their partnership with a CF6-80C2B5F engine sale. Jordan Airmotive is an engine MRO…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) commenced the steel-cutting ceremony for its inaugural Kapal Cepat Rudal (KCR / Fast Missile Boat) of…
Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, has appointed David McBride as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). McBride will…
Northrop Grumman and Diehl Defence have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing their commitment to work together to support…
Collins Aerospace unveiled its Venue smart monitor at the recent Aircraft Electronics Association Convention & Trade Show's new product introduction…
Raytheon has been awarded a US$1.2 billion contract to supply Germany with Patriot air and missile defense systems. The systems…
Airbus Defence and Space has revealed its plans to acquire INFODAS, a Cologne-based company specialising in cybersecurity and IT solutions…
Boeing has announced that its current President & CEO Dave Calhoun will step down at the end of 2024; Calhoun…
VITEC, a multinational Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) technology company, is set to bring its streaming technologies at…
The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) announced a contract awarded to Rheinmetall for the "Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie (Heavy Weapon Carrier for…
Korean Air is set to finalize a contract with Airbus for the acquisition of 33 A350 family aircraft. The agreement…
The Indonesian Army's 13th Cavalry Battalion has officially welcomed nine Harimau tanks into its arsenal. The induction ceremony took place…
Naval Group commenced the steel-cutting ceremony for the first third-generation French SSBN (SNLE 3G) at the group’s shipyard in Cherbourg…
Vietnam's leading budget airline, Vietjet, continues its expansion into the Australian market with the introduction of a new direct flight…
MRO company AAR has signed a multi-year agreement to supply surplus material for the CFM56-5B engine to Cebu Pacific. Under…
Embraer hosted the C-390 Millennium and A-29 Super Tucano of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) at Embraer Executive Jets' headquarters…
Terma's SCANTER 4002 radars have been selected by Belgian Defence to enhance the nation's airspace surveillance capabilities at both military…
MBDA, manufacturer of missiles and missile systems, has joined Egypt International Airshow (EIAS) as Platinum Sponsor that will take place…
Eve Air Mobility's Urban Air Traffic Management (Urban ATM) software has been named Vector. According to the company, Vector will…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.