A nearly 17-hour flight in the ‘Skycouch’ economy class bed

The airline: Air New Zealand

• Route New York City to Auckland non-stop, flight NZ1
• Frequency Three times a week
• Aircraft Boeing Dreamliner 787-9
• Class Economy Skycouch, seats 37H, J and K.
• Flight time 16 hours, 40 minutes (delayed about 70 minutes)

Checking in

I arrive the recommended three hours ahead of departure at JFK International and check-in is seamless; there’s not even a queue. The transit experience at Auckland International Airport is a different story. We arrive late into Auckland due to a delay out of New York (caused by runway congestion and other airport issues). It’s bedlam in Auckland with hundreds of connecting passengers being funnelled through only one transit security lane. By some miracle, everyone who needs to make the Sydney connecting flight does so.

Baggage

Basic economy allowance is one carry-on bag (up to 7kg) plus a small personal item, and one checked bag, up to 23kg. Checked in luggage goes all the way through to Sydney. Luckily, mine makes it despite the short connection time.

Loyalty scheme

Air New Zealand’s free-to-join, newly renamed Koru program allows you to accrue Airpoints on both Air New Zealand flights plus partner Star Alliance airlines.

The seat

Skycouches run along either side of the aircraft at the front of the economy cabin, and Air New Zealand can offer between nine and 20 Skycouches on a flight depending whether you’re on a 787-9 or a 777. Essentially, it’s a guarantee you’ll have three seats to yourself. Even better, all three seats have padded calf rests, which become level with your seat when fully raised, creating a nice wide couch. Once the Skycouch is activated, the seat is 29 inches (74 centimetres) wide and 61 inches (1.55 metres) long. Skycouchers receive a white mattress topper that stretches over the entire base, along with the standard issue economy blanket and pillow.

The pitch on an economy seat is 31 inches (78 centimetres), with a recline of about 4 inches (10 centimetres). I’m overjoyed to see the economy cabin is almost half empty. A crew member tells me this is not unusual on the NYC to Auckland leg. He adds the flight is usually full on the way up from Auckland.

Entertainment + tech

The retrofitted aircraft (which I’m on) features 13.3 inch (33.8 centimetres) screens – that’s about 50 per cent larger than the old screens, and one of the biggest displays you’ll find in any economy cabin. There’s a good entertainment line up and the Wi-Fi is free and easy to connect to.

Service

Friendly, efficient, down to earth – and enough crew to go around given the flight isn’t full. The crew look snappy in their Emilia Wickstead uniforms with patterns created in collaboration with Maori artist Te Rangitu Netana.

Food

Skycouchers receive the standard economy menu. Dinner is served shortly after take-off, with the choice of chicken and couscous or beef ragu with polenta and red peppers. I opt for the latter, and it’s tasty and fresh. A glass of Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region does not disappoint.

Sustainability

The airline is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and aims to use 10 per cent sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.*

One more thing

A fellow Skycouch passenger I got chatting to commented that her Skycouch booking had been cancelled at check-in a few weeks prior on her flight up from Auckland to New York. This can happen due to operational issues if Air New Zealand has to swap a plane out for one of the few in its fleet that doesn’t feature Skycouches. A refund is issued to affected passengers.

The price

From about $5250, Sydney to New York return with Skycouch for the legs between Auckland and New York. For comparison, economy class is from about $1900 return, while business class is about $12,500.**

The verdict

A brilliant flight with excellent sleep opportunities due to the very comfortable Skycouch. It ain’t business class, but being able to get flat is the next best thing. And for a fraction of the cost.

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

The writer paid for her economy fare and was upgraded to Skycouch courtesy of Air New Zealand.

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.