A bed to sleep in Economy. All the airline news
You can even sleep in Economy in a comfortable bed that allows you to stretch your legs and even hug the [...]
Vietnam Airlines
Lufthansa
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Air New Zealand
You can also sleep in Economy in a comfortable bed which allows you to stretch your legs and even hug the pillow. The offer is limited, often expensive, but the operation is possible for both singles, but especially for the families with children small.
In this article:
In fact, a small group of airlines are offering the option for economy travelers to book a whole row of 3 or 4 seats which-through some small implementations and additional accessories-become a real, fully reclining bed, equipped with sheets and pillows.
Air New Zealand is pioneering this service with the proposed Economy Skycouch. Following suit, however, Vietnam Airlines, Lufthansa, Azul, Air Austral, Air Astana, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) also launched different models and proposals for sleeping in Economy if not like in bed, at least like on the couch at home.
A family-size product
Solution that proves to be advantageous, however, during a long flight more than 4-5 hours. In some cases, moreover, buying the entire row of seats with the offers of these airlines may be cheaper than travel in Premium Economy (a class that usually offers more legroom and better in-flight meals, but does not allow the seat to fully recline).
Depending on carrier availability, or on certain routes or aircraft, airlines then offer the option of convert a row of seats in Economy In a bed.
Other companies, however, have come up with rows ad hoc With more space and the possibility of inserting extensions at the base of the chairs (Of the leg rests, in essence) to recreate the flat surface of the bed. Finally, still others also offer a mattress pad and other accessories that recreate the comfort of the bed.
Prices, in general, vary from company to company, and also depend on flight duration and demand. In each case-with one variable Between 200 and 500 euros more on the single ticket price-you spend less than in Business or to buy the entire row of seats in Economy without the "couch" option.
Air New Zealand's Economy Skycouch
In 2010, with the entry into the fleet of the first Boeing 777-300, Air New Zealand introduces Skycouch service. A standard row of seats in Economy is transformed, through the insertion of three leg rests in parallel with the seats, into a bed.
The Skycouch is sold as a family-friendly product that allows parents to co-parent their children and also provides for three seat belts special to ensure the safety of passengers even when lying down.
The size of the sofa bed is not very spacious (1.55 meters long by 74 cm wide), especially for those who are very tall; but it provides a good level of comfort compared to a classic Economy trip.
Air New Zealand - given its country's geographical location, operates many long-haul routes that exceed 10 hours (Chicago, Buenos Aires, Houston, Tokyo and Vancouver among others) and for this reason introduced service on all widebody aircraft (Boeing 777-200ER, 777-300 and 787-9).
Booking the SkyCouch service is very easy, as Air New Zealand already in the process of online booking marks flights that offer this possibility and automatically identifies the rows of seats that can provide for it.
SkyCouch is offered for the following combinations: one or two adults, one adult plus two children, one adult plus one infant (infants within 2 years of age), two adults plus children (up to a maximum of 2 bookable Skycouch).
Vietnam and Azul's Sky Sofa
Vietnam Airlines and Azul have also developed a service similar to Air New Zealand's SkyCouch. Both have named the product Sky Sofa.
As for Vietnam Airlines, the company provides a package of two additional empty seats in Economy, but only on routes between Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco and on flights between Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh and London/ Paris/ Frankfurt. Only passengers who have purchased Flex Economy or Classic Economy tickets are eligible for the service, but cannot be used by families With children.
The product, therefore, is only available to the single adult who wants to use the bed service in Economy. Finally, SkySofa can only be added to the reservation within the time frame of 15 days to 6 hours before the flight, and the additional price to be paid varies $400 to $600 Depending on the route and fare.
The Brazilian low-cost airline Azul, on the other hand, offers the eponymous service only on flights operated on Airbus A330s, and the option can already be booked during online booking with available Economy seat rows highlighted as SkySofa.
Compared to other carriers, Azul offers the bed in Economy in the middle row of A330s thus proposing a bed that occupies Four seats instead of three. The prices, however, are higher than other companies with a levy of up to $800 to $1,000 each way.
Lufthansa's Sleeper's Row.
Lufthansa's Sleeper's Row was tested on flights between Frankfurt e St. Paul's in Brazil in 2020 and then introduced on flights longer than 11 hours or more.
The service again requires booking an entire row of seats (3 or 4 depending on configuration) in Economy, but it can be booked only when checking in or at the gate, subject to availability.
Those who purchase Sleeper's Row will have included thepriority boarding, a pillow, a topper, and a blanket. To date, LH does not propose the addition of leg rests to increase the space available.
But the German giant's promise is to add this and other accessories in the Sleeper's Row 2.0 model which will be implemented in the coming years on long-haul flights.
Lufthansa's Sleeper's Row 2.0 preview.
The cost of the service varies 159 to 229 euros per flight and includes routes (which do not have to be fully booked) to the Far East, Central and South America, South Africa and the West Coast of the United States.
ANA and the COUCHii offer.
In 2019, All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced. the launch of the COUCHii service., then postponed due to the pandemic and officially entered service in mid-2021. ANA COUCHii will charge an additional fee on top of the Economy Class fare to combine three or four seats to create a single berth.
However, the service is only offered on the A380s that fly between Narita and Honolulu, in Hawaii. It provides classic leg supports so that the seat can be extended, creating a real bed, and can be booked directly when booking. Finally, ANA COUCHii includes the provision of bedding (1 set) and seat belts (1 set).
Costs range from $200 to $600 depending on the fare and number of passengers.
Air Astana's Economy Sleeper
The flag carrier of Kazakhstan, Air Astana offers Economy Sleeper service on international flights from Almaty to London Heathrow, from Astana to Frankfurt, and from Almaty to Beijing. Again, the airline guarantees a row of three Economy seats for one guest and offers a mattress, comforter, and pillow set.
Those who choose the Economy Sleeper are also entitled to the following additional services: lounge access of Business Class, two checked bags of 23 kg each, priority for check-in, boarding and even disembarkation, fully changeable and refundable ticket, pre-assigned seat, amenity kit from Business and more points to accumulate for the loyalty program Nomad Club (the 125% of extra points on every mile).
Air Austral's Extra Couchette
In 2016, however, Air Austral launched. l'Extra Couchette On the two aircraft Boeing 777-300ER with various configurations: family of 3 (1 parent and 2 young children), adult plus child or adult couple.
Service is available among the 10 Economy rows, and the 3 seats are modular and extend to make a 1.55-cm x 82-cm bed.
Again, a mattress and special belts are provided. Air Austral is a French airline that serves destinations in the Indian Ocean, Asia, and South Africa from Paris.
Air New Zealand's Capsule Turnaround.
Finally, just a year ago, still Air New Zealand unveiled a unique product that will revolutionize long-haul passenger transport.
It will be called Skynest, or the nest of skies, and provides Real cabins with bunks for Economy passengers starting in 2024.
Bunks will be available only on the B787 Dreamliner which will be delivered right from next year. Later, the Skynest will also be installed in the B787s already in Air New Zealand's fleet.
