04 May 2023 , 13:35
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Anyone who's been on a plane will know the struggle of trying to get proper sleep on a flight, but one airline is about to make it a lot easier for passengers in economy.
Tired travellers will soon be able to hire bunk beds if they're on an economy ticket, so they can catch some beauty sleep during long-haul journeys.
Air New Zealand is introducing the Skynest bunk beds that can be hired for up to four hours at a time, on routes between Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
They will be an add-on for economy passengers and will be able to sleep up to six travellers per plane, although the airline has not yet confirmed how much they will cost to book.
The new beds can be hired by economy passengers (AIR NEW ZEALAND)The innovative beds have already been tipped as finalists in the 2023 Crystal Cabin Awards, which celebrates clever ideas in aviation.
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The Skynest caught the panel's attention as it "caters for ultra-long haul travel in economy class, offering lie-in bunks that can be booked to help customers recuperate on the longest flights".
Air New Zealand has been developing the beds for several years and is planning to roll them out in 2024.
New business premier luxe suites with sliding doors will also be added to some of its fleet.
Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer, Leanne Geraghty, told Stuff: "There has been a huge amount of work that’s gone into the Skynest so the team are incredibly proud to be recognised against some of the bigger players out there in aviation.
"We’ve got our fingers crossed for the awards announcement on 6 June at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg."
Air New Zealand is introducing the design next year (AIR NEW ZEALAND)The competition has also highlighted some other intriguing designs which have the potential to make air travel comfier.
Adient Aerospace’s Ascent Front Row Suite - which would see business class passengers sit in seats facing the window with personal lie-flat bed and desks - is also a finalist.
So too is the Personalized Sound Zone, "a next-generation speaker system where audio sound is confined in a spherical sound zone to the ultimate level".
Essentially, a bubble of audio is beamed around the passenger's head.
If you find yourself in an economy cabin which doesn't have a bunkbed, then a simple trick may help you catch some sleep. A TikToker has produced a trick to help you get 40 winks and to make the journey go a little quicker.
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Travel influencer @wandering__around has gone viral with the trick, which only requires a scarf to deploy. She uses it to construct a makeshift footrest that can be used to get comfy.
"This is my long-haul flight hack," the TikToker says in the video. "Tie a large knot in both ends of a sarong, scarf or light blanket.
"Open your tray table and place the knots onto the outside and close. Pop your feet up and relax. This was super comfortable for sleeping. And I haven't been asked to remove it for take off or landing on any flight."
What do you think of the economy bunk beds? Let us know in the comments below.