Comprehensive Evaluation of Air New Zealand's Skycouch: User's Perspective
Review: Air New Zealand's Skycouch Transforms Economy Travel for the Better
Published: March 18, 2025
By: Sharon Petersen
In a sea of cramped economy seats, Air New Zealand's Skycouch stands out as a game-changer for medium to long-haul travel. The airline's innovative seating solution, which transforms a row of economy seats into a cozy, lie-flat space designed for maximum comfort, has earned high praise from the AirlineRatings team who finally had the chance to experience it firsthand.
The Skycouch, which combines three regular seats into a single, flexible space, delivers unmatched comfort for economy travelers. By raising the footrests of the seats, passengers can create a continuous, flat surface that connects all three seats, allowing them to stretch out horizontally and sleep more comfortably than in traditional economy seating. The airline provides amenities such as seat extenders, a quilt, large pillows, and blankets to further enhance the experience.
Booking a Skycouch is straightforward; when booking a flight, travelers can select the Skycouch option at the seat selection stage. The Skycouch offers a row of three seats and is perfect for solo travelers, couples, or families who want extra space. For example, a couple can book an entire row for just $150 each, giving them a spare seat between them and the option to transform the row into a comfortable couch. The Skycouch offers the best value proposition in commercial aviation, making it an appealing option for many travelers.
The Skycouch's benefits extend beyond just sleep. The flexible setup allows passengers to adjust the footrests and pillows to fit their needs, making it suitable for children to play, couples to cuddle, or individuals to relax. Families with children and couples find the Skycouch especially appealing since it provides extra room for kids to play or sleep and for adults to relax together.
Air New Zealand's top-notch customer service also contributes to the Skycouch's appeal. The crew went above and beyond to accommodate passengers, offering extra snacks, bringing snacks early, and even promising a visit to the cockpit for well-behaved children.
While the catering was delicious, traveling families may find the portion sizes on the smaller side, particularly for adult males on longer flights. However, an additional snack is served on longer flights, which helps to mitigate this issue.
Air New Zealand is the only airline in the world to offer the Skycouch, making it a truly exclusive and game-changing travel experience. The Skycouch is a cost-effective way for economy passengers to enjoy a significantly improved travel experience, especially for those prioritizing rest and comfort on long journeys. If Air New Zealand is an option on your route, and you have the chance to book a Skycouch, do not hesitate to do so. The Skycouch is the closest thing to Business Class without the hefty price tag and is an excellent value for economy travelers.
Editor's Note: Sharon traveled as a guest of Air New Zealand. All other passengers featured in this review paid for their own travel.
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Travelers seeking a more comfortable and enjoyable economy travel experience should consider Air New Zealand's Skycouch. This innovation transforms a row of economy seats into a cozy, lie-flat space, offering an improved lifestyle and sleep quality during medium to long-haul flights. Additionally, home-and-garden enthusiasts may find interest in the airline's thoughtful design of the Skycouch, which provides extra space for families and couples, making the experience resemble a welcoming and inviting home environment while on the go.
