Review of Air New Zealand's Skycouch Seat Configuration
Air New Zealand's Skycouch is an innovative seating option that has revolutionised the economy class experience, particularly on long-haul flights. This unique feature turns a row of three economy seats into a flat surface resembling a couch or small bed, providing enhanced comfort and extra space.
During a recent 6.5-hour flight from Auckland to Perth, I had the opportunity to experience the Skycouch firsthand. Booking the three adjacent seats together, I found that the leg rests fold flat to create a continuous flat surface. Comfortable cushions, pillows, and blankets were provided to complete a cozy lounge or bed space within economy class.
The Skycouch offers several key benefits. For one, it provides increased comfort with the ability to recline completely flat or stretch out, which is rare in economy class. It also offers extra legroom compared to standard economy seats. This makes it an ideal choice for couples, families with children, or travellers seeking more space.
Additionally, the Skycouch is a more affordable alternative to business class lie-flat seats, delivering premium comfort without the high price. Convenient service features such as food and beverage orders accessible on personal screens further enhance the onboard experience.
On the flight from Auckland to Perth, both a meal and a snack were served. To my surprise, the evening meal service on the kids' meal tray had more food than the adult option. The crew on the Air New Zealand flight went above and beyond in customer service, ensuring that everyone was comfortable and well-catered for throughout the journey.
Kids' headphones are available upon request on Air New Zealand flights, adding to the family-friendly atmosphere. However, it's worth noting that in-flight amenity kits or kids' activity packs are not provided on medium-haul flights like the Perth-Auckland route.
The Skycouch is exclusive to flights where Air New Zealand operates, making it an exciting travel experience. It's worth noting that Air New Zealand offers the Skycouch in economy class on flights NZ175 and NZ176 between Perth and Auckland.
Air New Zealand provides seat extenders, quilts, large pillows, and blankets for the Skycouch, ensuring a comfortable and restful journey. The Skycouch is a row of three seats that can be transformed into a cozy, lie-flat space. It's the closest thing to Business Class without the hefty price tag.
In my opinion, the Skycouch is the best value proposition in commercial aviation. It offers more space, more comfort, and ultimately, more happiness. I even prefer the Skycouch over Premium Economy. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the Skycouch is THE BEST. I give it a score of 10/10 in this review.
Sharon, the editor of this review, travelled as a guest of Air New Zealand. Despite this, the opinions expressed in this article are my own and are based on my personal experience with the Skycouch. If you're looking for a more comfortable and affordable way to travel economy class, I highly recommend giving the Skycouch a try.
During Sharon's review of the Air New Zealand Skycouch, she highlighted that it offers a lifestyle experience entirely different from the traditional economy class, equivalent to a home-and-garden makeover as it transforms into a comfortable, lie-flat space. As she traversed the long-haul flight from Auckland to Perth, she found the Skycouch to be the best value proposition in commercial aviation, superior even to Premium Economy and Business Class seating options. This innovative airline news is revolutionizing travel, providing a more affordable alternative to business class with the added benefit of extra legroom and space, making it an ideal choice for couples, families, and those seeking comfort on long-haul flights.
