What is a Skycouch? And why you should book it with Air New Zealand

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With Skycouch from Air New Zealand, getting to one of the most beautiful places on Earth, is not only comfortable, but affordable too!

If you have New Zealand on your bucket list, but are worried about the long-haul flights with your family, don’t worry and go ahead and book your family vacation!

New Zealand is the land of the All Blacks rugby team, the haka, Lord of the Rings, Maori culture, great wine, millionaires’ doomsday bunkers, and incredible scenery. It’s also one of the most family-friendly vacation destinations in the world.

Getting there from the US usually means a long-haul flight of a minimum of 14-16 hrs in the air. This makes a lot people worried about spending that much time sitting down and the subsequent jet-leg, especially if traveling with kids.

But did you know that long-haul flights on Air New Zealand’s economy class can be one of the most enjoyable experiences you will have on a plane?

Thanks to the Skycouch feature on Air New Zealand which allows you to purchase a row of three seats and transform it into a bed for you or your family to enjoy. Some people even equate it to a business class experience!

Who is the Skycouch for?

It is good for solo travelers, couples and in my opinion, the best value for families. It can fit up to two adults or one adult and two children.

For two adults, it might be a tight fit while laying flat during the flight, but for a solo traveler or families with kids, it might feel like you hit the jackpot.

For my toddler and I, it was the perfect set up. We managed to sleep for most of the flight and when we were not sleeping, we had enough space to spread out and watch a movie or play games.

We also didn’t have to worry about sharing the extra seat with a stranger. Parents of young kids will know how stressful and uncomfortable that can be – for you and for the stranger.

If you are traveling with two children and two adults, Air New Zealand recommends two Skycouches or one Skycouch and an additional seat, which I think makes perfect sense, this way each parent can take turns resting. If the children are old enough to entertain themselves, even better! They can have a Skycouch for themselves.

If you have 3 children that would normally pay for a seat, they can all share an Skycouch and the cost would just be a small additional fee for the Skycouch. I mean, how can you pass that up?

It is like getting an upgrade without the cost of business or first class. With the Skycouch, you can lay flat and spread out, allowing for a comfortable sleep during the flight.

How comfortable can an economy seat be?

I can hear you asking? Is the Skycouch really that comfortable?

100% yes. The seats are very flat and cushy and the armrests go up all the way, very different than the seats we are used to in domestic airlines in the US.

And I know everyone’s definition of comfort can be different, but let’s put it this way. You will be able to sleep for most of the flight and wake up without a sore neck and back.

Air New Zealand also provides bedding- a liner, pillows and blankets. Not your everyday pillow and blanket handed out in economy class. These are extra- extra pillows, extra fluffy and bigger than regular economy pillows.

The privacy provided by the seats and the bedding almost make you feel like you are in a capsule hotel.

And it is not only comfortable, it’s also safe. An adjustable harness/seatbelt is provided so that your family can stay safe while sleeping.

And let’s not forget service. The flight attendants in Air New Zealand are super friendly and amazing! They come over to explain how to use the Skycouch and they even help with the set up.

Flying with infants: Skycouch or bassinet?

If you are traveling with an infant, a cot/bassinet is provided to keep the little ones safe while comfortably sleeping flat in their own space. I would definitely recommend reserving a Skycouch with an infant as you can have your baby safely sleep with you.

It would also be so practical for breastfeeding to be able to do it while laying down, no need to carry a breastfeeding pillow on board.

I’ve traveled with both our kids since they were born on long-haul flights to South America, Oceania, and Europe, and although infant age is the best time to travel with young kids, you don’t usually get to put the baby down to sleep unless you have a bassinet, which is a little tricky to get.

Even when you do get a bassinet, it is usually placed on the wall in front of you and it’s not nearly as practical as having the baby lying next to you during the flight. In addition, most seats at the bulkhead (the seats you need to reserve for yourself to have a bassinet) have permanent dividers, meaning even if you were lucky enough to get the whole row to yourself, you would not be able to lay down to sleep.

And if your infant is crawling and hitting that independent stage of walking, he/she will want to move around, which is not only dangerous if done in the aisles during flight, but you might even have to endure a few judgmental looks and comments.

With the Skycouch, they can burn some energy right in your seat.

What is the price of a Skycouch?

It varies. You are buying a third seat and depending on availability, how many people will be sharing it and the original cost of your flight, it might cost around $300-1500 more. On our flight, it was an additional $700 for a one-way ticket for an adult and a toddler over 2 years old. And in my opinion, it was worth every cent!!

I was flying pretty much solo with the kiddo because my husband was flying for work, so his company paid for his business class seat. We didn’t want to shell out for another two business seats for myself and the kiddo, but I also wanted to keep my sanity for a 14 hr flight. It would also not be practical to have a toddler in business class, because the seats have a partition for privacy.

My husband came to check on us several times during the flight (and before you judge him, he did offer up to trade places with me, but I declined) and found us sleeping for most of it – comfortably! He even said the Skycouch looked larger and just as comfortable as his lie-flat business class seat!

Of course he got the good meals, and toiletries and 14 hrs kid-free, but his business class fare was triple the cost of what we paid for our economy tickets and the Skycouch, which makes this product a great value!

How can I book the Skycouch?

You can book it through Air New Zealand’s website. Just select the economy fare and make sure it highlights that the Skycouch is available at the fare you are purchasing. After you choose a flight, the fare, and enter your information, you have the choice to upgrade to a Skycouch.

Air New Zealand also says that you can book a Skycouch after you’ve purchased your ticket, but it is not clear on their website if you can do so if you purchased your ticket through a third-party website or travel agent. Make sure to check on that before you book your flights.

Summary Skycouch Review

If you are traveling to New Zealand for a family vacation – lucky you! – be sure to book a Skycouch. It’s not only comfortable and a great value, but will also make your long-haul flight experience one that you will never forget, in a good way!

In fact, in the post-flight survey Air New Zealand sent me, I told them I wish I could fly in a Skycouch on every long flight I take in the future. I loved it so much, I am writing a whole post on it gushing about it, and not even getting paid to do it!

Air New Zealand is also launching a new concept that I hope I get to try in the future- the Skynest! I can’t wait to book it!

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This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.