This airline offers bunk beds for its long-haul flights, but they come with rules

Air New Zealand is launching sleeping pods - fully-fledged berths arranged in a bunk-bed configuration, situated in the middle of the cabin of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. – Air New Zealand/dpa

Air New Zealand wants to offer a more decent mid-flight sleep on long-haul flights in small lie-flat bunks for economy passengers – but with rules.

In what the airline calls a unique service worldwide, passengers will be able to book the sleeping spaces from May 18, 2026, with the bunks set to be introduced on selected long-haul flights from November.

The airline's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes now feature six stacked sleeping cabins installed between economy and premium economy, bookable in addition to a regular seat.

No crumbs from the last passenger

Each bunk has a full-length mattress, fresh bedding, dimmed lighting, ventilation, a charging point and an in-pod seat belt. There is also a kit with an eye mask and earplugs.

At the same time, Air New Zealand is enforcing clear rules, first and foremost: no bunking up. Anyone hoping to join the mile-high club should know that the airline says "visitors aren't permitted" – no more than one person is allowed per bunk.

In any case, privacy is limited in the bunks, with only a curtain separating you from nearby passengers in other bunks. The airline is also calling on passengers to be quiet, make only "gentle movement" and climb the ladders "with grace rather than gymnastics".

The bunks are slim in size, measuring 203cm in length and 64cm at the shoulders.

Another important rule is no bedtime snacks, and there is strictly no eating in the bunks. "Crumbs in bed are the fastest way to ruin a good nap," the airline says.

To use the bunk you must also be over 15 years old, meaning a parent can't bring a young child with them for a nap.

You can book the pods for a maximum of four hours throughout your long-haul flight, after which you would need to return to your seat. – Air New Zealand/dpa

Four hours max, then back to your seat

The airline said its bed system had been developed over years and tested on more than 200 people. Company chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar pointed to New Zealand's special location, saying that for a remote country the quality of the journey was crucial. More comfort could help travellers accept longer flight times, he said.

Passengers will still need a regular seat but can additionally book a four-hour sleeping slot at a cost of NZ$495 (RM1,151). Passengers can only book one session per flight, meaning you won't get your full eight hours horizontally.

The airline said the sleep time windows are outside of meal service so travellers can rest without being woken up.

The 'Skynest' is initially available on the Auckland-New York route, which at around 17 hours is one of the world's longest commercial flights. – dpa