New Zealand’s Air New Zealand is bringing the concept of bunk beds to economy class for the first time on its Auckland-New York and Auckland-Chicago routes, The Guardian reports. According to the company, this concept of a two-tier economy class room is the first in the world.

Economy class seats for long-haul flightsPhoto: Air New Zealand/Cover Images/INS/INSTAR Images/Profimedia

The beds are spaced a short distance apart, and each traveler will have the opportunity to rest for 4 hours during the flight if they book a seat and pay a fee of $400-$600.

Prototype cabins were launched this week, with bookings available from September 2024.

It should be noted that such a berth can be booked only for four hours, after which the person who occupies it must give up the seat to another passenger.

“The lights will slowly come on at the end of each (four-hour) rest and staff will politely wake passengers who are still asleep,” Air New Zealand explained.

The company said that after each passenger there will be a 30-minute break to change clothes.

The beds will be equipped with blankets, pillows and bed linen, and the sleeping places will not be completely closed, but separated by a curtain to ensure the privacy of the passengers.