Air New Zealand Wins Award for Innovative Skynest
Air New Zealand has won an international award for its innovative Skynest, an exciting development in airline cabin design. The airline received the Innovative Cabin Concept award at the 2023 Crystal Cabin Awards, announced at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.
A Real Innovation
Unlike many minor tweaks often labeled as innovations, Air New Zealand’s Skynest truly stands out. These unique sleeping pods will debut in September 2024 when the first Boeing 787-9 arrives.
Kerry Reeves, the airline’s head of aircraft programmes, collected the award. He expressed pride in the achievement and anticipation for customers to experience the Skynest next year.
Previous Success
This is not Air New Zealand’s first win at the Crystal Cabin Awards. In 2019, it won the Greener Cabin, Health, Safety and Environment category for the innovative Economy Skycouch. To win in the Cabin Concepts category, an entry must show outstanding innovation that enhances passenger experience.
The awards announcement highlighted the Skynest as a “never-before-seen option for economy passengers.” These lie-in bunks will allow passengers to rest for up to four hours on long flights. Each pod will include a full-size pillow, sheets, a blanket, ear plugs, a reading light, a USB outlet, ventilation, and lighting designed for relaxation.
With the Skynest, Air New Zealand is setting a new standard for comfort in economy travel.
