Air New Zealand Skycouch Review - Tips, Must-Know Facts and Is it Worth the Cost?

Our review outlines who Skycouch is for and typical users, the best routes for Skycouch, where it shines and offers value, alternatives such as Premium Economy, where it offers the best value for money, traveller experiences and Frequently Asked Questions.

Updated 4 April 2025

Summary

Air New Zealand offers Economy passengers the option of booking a Skycouch on its medium and long-haul 787 and (selected) 777 routes.
In a nutshell, Skycouch can be described as a row of three economy seats with flip-up footrests, turning into a flat "couch" (1.55m long, 74cm wide). Each Skycouch comes with bedding (a thin mattress), fluffy pillows and a special seatbelt for lying down.
Air New Zealand markets Skycouch as suitable for single travellers, couples and families, but our view is that couples will struggle to get satisfying levels of comfort if they share the Skycouch at the same time.
If you're around 6 ft or taller, you will need to curve as you sleep - however, it will be comfortable for most people unless you're very tall. The Skycouch width is far superior to most business class seats, and there are no foot "cubby hole" restrictions which makes it a comfortable experience.
Air New Zealand does require Skycouch passengers to sleep with their heads against the window, not the aisle, to prevent any injuries from passing trollies or other passengers.
Upfront prices start from around $500 to $1,500+ per sector if you travel alone, depending on the route, which guarantees your Skycouch in advance. If you prefer to bid a lower price, you can do this using OneUp, but there is no guarantee you'll be successful, and there is a limit of around 13 Skycouches per 787 or 777.
Skycouch pricing is cheaper if you're travelling with more than one person on the booking, which can make booking one more enticing. However, as this guide outlines, there are limits to the value and comfort of sharing a Skycouch. We see it as valuable (but arguably expensive) for anyone flying overnight long-haul, such as in New York, San Francisco, and Vancouver. However, it comes at a high price unless you can secure it using a lowball OneUp bid.
We believe the best value is New York to Auckland, which has an upfront cost of around $900 for the 17+ hour flight. However, due to weight restrictions due to the distance travelled, many Economy seats are unsold, so you may find a spare row of three seats (without a Skycouch) and squeeze around those seats without spending any extra money.
Overall, we don't see Skycouch as offering value for money (at the upfront prices Air New Zealand charges) for daytime flights outbound to Asia or those returning to Auckland leaving during the day as there is less need to sleep.

To help explain what you need to know, our review covers:

Important:

Our review also looks at Skycouch vs Premium Economy; our view is that Skycouch is a better option for overnight long-haul flights, given you can lay down, spread out and get very comfortable. While Skycouch passengers receive Economy catering and not the enhanced menu served in Premium Economy, we believe this is a trade-off worth making given the space and comfort.
Air New Zealand does not want to cannibalise its premium cabins; Skycouch passengers receive the same Airpoints Dollars and Status Points as their original Economy seat despite increased costs. Only Premium Economy and Business Premier fares earn more.

Where to Sit and What to Bring:

We suggest avoiding the last three rows of the 787 (42ABC, 43ABC and 44ABC) - they are beside two toilets and a staff wardrobe, all of which make a lot of noise as they open and close.
Our suggested area on the 787 is 40ABC or 41ABC, far away from babies up the front while out of hearing range of the toilets, galley and staff cupboard.
We suggest bringing your own full sized pillow, eye mask and ear plugs for added comfort as you won't get these onboard and they'll make a big difference for an overnight flight.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh Shares His Experience Using Skycouch:

I've flown it all—Emirates First Class with its onboard showers, Ryanair's bare-bones 737 bustle, Qatar Airways' best business class, and everything in between. So I had a decent benchmark when I took Air New Zealand's Skycouch from New York to Auckland in April 2025, a 17.5-hour overnight haul. It was an investment of NZ$900 upfront for a Skycouch, but I wanted to test this middle-ground promise: lie-flat comfort without the Business Premier price tag. I am now a fan, but only when it delivers value.

As a solo traveller, justifying the additional cost is tough. $900+ goes a long way overseas and in New Zealand; on the plane, it gets you three seats, a thin mattress, and a shot at decent sleep, but there are no extra Status Points or Airpoints Dollars to sweeten the deal. You're still in Economy, and you may be seated in front of a toddler who treats the row like a trampoline for the first three hours. Earplugs are essential, as are an eye mask and a normal-sized pillow - you're investing big in a Skycouch, and a comfortable pillow makes a huge difference.

Locking in a "bed" for 10+ hours on an overnight flight is appealing, and you can head to the airport confident your Skycouch gives you a huge space to relax. I'm 6'1", slept curled slightly, head at the window (Air New Zealand's rule), and feet sometimes out in the aisle, sometimes not. Skycouch offers unrivalled space compared to Economy's upright layout: no middle seat beside two strangers, no seatmate shuffle to get to the loo. It's a game-changer for couples, but it's best when you alternate lying down, one flat while the other sits, as "cuddle class" for most people will be uncomfortable despite how Air New Zealand depicts it.

Night flights are where Skycouch offers unrivalled value - JFK to Auckland is a slog, and that lie-flat edge beats Premium Economy's recline for sleep. Daytime runs don't justify it unless you have children; I'd rather keep the money. On a quieter flight, you might snag a free row anyway - JFK to Auckland's weight limits left gaps I could've exploited if I'd gambled instead of paying upfront. However, you won't get the Skycouch, nor will you be as comfortable.

Overall, OneUp bids offer the best value, and if you can get a low-ball offer accepted by Air New Zealand, you will be comfortable. Skycouch becomes cheaper per person for couples than single travellers pay, but you'll need to share the space for guaranteed comfort.

Think hard before committing. I will book it again when going solo from New York to Auckland. Still, I wouldn't bother adding on a Skycouch for anything less than 12 hours (day or night) unless two of us travel together, whereby it becomes an added benefit I can justify if the price is right.

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

Who's It For - Our View on Typical Skycouch Users

Skycouch isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. We outline who will (and won't) like it:

Solo Travelers: If you're around 6ft or less and happy curling up, Skycouch is a budget-friendly lie-flat win. At 1.55m long, it's snug for taller folks - your feet will dangle into the aisle unless you move your legs around, and you won't be able to sleep on your back.
Couples: It's a mixed bag. You'll get extra space and no random third passenger on our aisle, but sharing the 74cm-wide Skycouch for sleep is a squeeze. Air New Zealand depicts 'spooning', but the comfort level is minimal. As a result, couples travelling on the same booking can book a Skycouch and an additional seat close by, and take shifts laying down.
Families: Skycouch offers a lot of value for parents with small kids (under 10). Toddlers can sprawl out while adults use the footrests or sit upright. Older, taller kids outgrow it fast.
Budget Upgraders: Air New Zealand is not price competitive with Business Premier, and few leisure travellers book it. Skycouch offers a middle ground for overnight comfort without significant extra cost.

Important: You're still in Economy - it's the same food, same noise, no extra Airpoints or Status Points and you may have loud neighbours and/or energetic children around you. If you want peace and are comfortable sitting upright, Premium Economy's quieter cabin offers similar pricing.

Tips to Maximise Your Skycouch Experience:

Book Smart: You can lock in a Skycouch upfront ($500–$1,500+) for peace of mind, or make a OneUp bid - those are the only two options to secure a Skycouch, which are limited to around 13 per flight.
Understand the Importance of Seat Selection: On the 787, aim for 40ABC or 41ABC - quiet, away from bassinets up front and toilets/galley/staff cupboard at the back. Avoid 42ABC–44ABC.
Pack Important Comfort Aides: The thin mattress and pillows are decent, but we suggest bringing your own pillow, eye mask and ear plugs for added comfort.
Have a Sleep Strategy: You'll need to position your head against the window (per Air New Zealand's rule). If you're travelling alone, you can stretch out; if you're with a partner, you may want to alternate lying down or use the middle seat as a buffer with one person flat and one person upright.
Timing Matters: We believe it's best for overnight flights - daytime trips don't justify the cost unless you're desperate for a row to yourself.
Store Above: While you can move the Skycouch padding up and down easily, it's best to store your bags in the lockers above and keep the Skycouch fully expanded for the duration of your flight.

Best Routes for Skycouch: Where It Shines and Offers Value

Air New Zealand's Skycouch is available on its 787 Dreamliner and select 777 routes, but not all flights are created equal, and the pricing varies. We don't see Skycouch as valuable for daytime and medium-haul overnight flights, such as Bali-Auckland, Auckland-Hawaii, Perth-Auckland and Tahiti-Auckland unless you're willing to spend $500+ on 5-6 hours of laying down.

In contrast, we list what delivers the most value if you decide to book a Skycouch:

New York (JFK) to Auckland (AKL): At 17+ hours, this is the ultimate Skycouch route. The $900 upfront cost (or potentially less with a OneUp bid) gets you a lie-flat option that beats upright Economy for this long flight. However, rows of unsold seats due to weight limits might score you a free row anyway, meaning you may want to take the risk and pounce on a row once onboard.
Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver to Auckland: These flights leave late into the evening. A 13-hour overnight haul where Skycouch's $1,000+ upgrade makes sense for solo travellers or couples wanting space. It's long enough to justify lying down but a reasonable price to avoid, even considering the high cost of Business Premier.
Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei: A 10–11+ hour overnight flight from Asia to Auckland will be more comfortable with a $1,000+ Skycouch. However, for those returning from Singapore, you may want to avoid Skycouch booking the daily NZ281 flight, which leaves at a comfortable 9 a.m. and arrives in Auckland late in the evening.

Our View:

Skycouch's value isn't universal - it's best on overnight long-haul routes where sleep is valued, but it offers little additional comfort on daytime or shorter flights.
The New York - Auckland leads the way for value and avoids expensive Business Premier. Evening services from West Coast America and Canada, as well as overnight Asian routes, offer value.
However, we believe daytime flights and medium-haul overnights (Bali, Hawaii, Tahiti to Auckland) can be avoided unless you're happy to lowball a OneUp bid and not be disappointed if it's not accepted.

Skycouch vs Premium Economy vs Business Premier - What Option Offers the Best Value for Money?

Skycouch vs Premium Economy

Premium Economy offers wider seats, more legroom, deeper reclining, enhanced food and drinks, priority boarding and a smaller cabin with dedicated toilets.
You'll get more personal space, a quieter cabin, better service and a lot more Status Points and Airpoints Dollars, but you will need to sit upright.
In many cases, an Economy ticket with a Skycouch will cost the same as a Premium Economy ticket. Our view is simple - Premium Economy offers great added comfort for a long-haul day flight, whereas Skycouch offers superior comfort if you fly overnight.
If you want to avoid Economy but don't want to pay for Business Premier, booking Premium Economy for your day flight and a Skycouch for the night flight is a sensible way to proceed. However, it will mean you pay double or nearly triple what a standard Economy airfare is.

Skycouch vs Business Premier

Business Premier offers lie-flat beds in a 1-1-1 or 1-2-1 layout, premium dining, lounge access, dedicated check-in, priority boarding and additional luggage allowance. However, Air New Zealand is arguably uncompetitive in pricing despite competition on its year-round routes (Singapore, Hong Kong, Tahiti, Vancouver, New York). This means the pricing is unaffordable for many New Zealanders.

Skycoach Experiences Shared By New Zealand Flyers

Air New Zealand launched Skycouch in 2010 and hasn't developed it further. It has created buzz, fans, complaints and warnings along the way. To help you make an informed decision on whether Skycouch is right for you, we summarise these below:

Families

Skycouch can be a game-changer for parents with toddlers, often praised for long flights. On routes like AKL-LAX or JFK-AKL, children may sleep 8–10 hours, either sprawling across the "couch" while an adult sits upright or sharing it with a parent.
In many cases, it works best for children under 8, but taller kids (over 5'5" or age 10) may find it cramped.

Tall People

With its 1.55m length, Skycouch suits shorter travellers of around 5'5 and may challenge anyone over 5'8". Taller travellers—say 6'2" or 6'4"—might only manage a couple of hours curled up before feet slip into the aisle or get nudged by those walking down the aisle.
It's still a step up from Economy's upright strain, though some switch back to normal seats for comfort.

Value for Money

Skycouch's worth hinges on cost. A OneUp bid of $200 to $400 for a 10-hour flight can deliver a lie-flat valSkycouch'so sleepers. However, at standard prices ($1,200+) there can be debate about the value a Skycouch offers.

Couples

Two adults sharing Skycouch can be tricky. Lying down together rarely works—over 5'8" each, space runs tight, making closeness more hassle than comfort.
Many opt for an extra room instead; one might sleep while the other sits upright and take turns stretching into the middle.
The big win is avoiding a stranger in the row, a relief on long hauls. Couples around 5'8" or under might manage 6 hours side-by-side, but most may find Premium Economy a better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Airpoints Dollars to pay for a Skycouch?

Yes - you can pay the full amount with your balance or part with cash via Airpoints Flexipay when booking online or through the Contact Centre. It's an add-on to your Economy fare, so you'll need enough Airpoints for the extra $500–$1,500+ (solo rate), depending on the route. You can also use Airpoints Dollars for OneUp bids - details are outlined on Air New Zealand's website.

How do I bid for a Skycouch with OneUp?

After booking an Economy ticket, log into your Air NZ account, find your trip, and submit a OneUp offer. If it's accepted, you'll hear back 2–5 days before departure. However, there is no guarantee, and with only ~13 Skycouches per 787/777, popular flights sell out fast.

Why can't I get a Skycouch on Houston flights?

Air New Zealand uses leased Cathay Pacific 777s for Auckland-Houston, and those planes don't offer Skycouch.

Why does my flight say no Skycouches available?

If it's a Singapore, Hong Kong, LAX, or similar route, you might be on a leased Cathay Pacific 777, which doesn't have Skycouch installed. Check the aircraft type during booking—only Air New Zealand 787s and non-Cathay Pacific 777s offer it. Also, if it's an Air New Zealand plane, the ~13 Skycouches might already be booked by other passengers.

I'm over 6ft—what can I do to make Skycouch work?

At 1.55m long, it's snug for taller people—your feet might dangle unless you sleep fetal-style. You'll need to angle yourself diagonally (head at the window, feet toward the middle), use a neck pillow to prop your head, or alternate sitting upright. If you're over 6'2", Premium Economy might be more comfortable.

Is it noisy near kids on a Skycouch?

Skycouch rows often attract families—think toddlers sprawling or playing—so noise can be a factor. Pack earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

Can I switch Skycouch back to normal seats mid-flight?

Yes, it's flexible—keep it as regular seats for meals or movies (footrests down), then flip it to "couch" mode for sleep. The padding's easy to adjust, though extra pillows might crowd you—you can put them in the overhead locker if they're in the way.

What's the cheapest way to secure a Skycouch?

The lowest cost comes from a successful OneUp bid - starting at $200–$350 after booking your Economy ticket, submitted via your Air New Zealand account. Midweek flights (Tuesday–Thursday) often have better odds as demand is lower, and you'll know two to five days before takeoff when Air New Zealand confirms or declines your offer. Solo travellers pay more upfront ($500–$1,500+), but splitting with a travelling companion on the same booking can drop it to $400–$800 total - we suggest making dummy bookings to compare the price difference.

Can I cancel or change a Skycouch booking if plans shift?

Yes, but it depends on your Economy fare rules—Skycouch follows the same terms. Flexible fares let you swap or refund (minus a fee, usually $100–$200, but check the fare rules); cheaper fares might lock you in. OneUp bids are non-refundable once accepted. For cancelling or modifying a booking, it's best to call Air New Zealand's Contact Centre to tweak it - online changes can glitch with add-ons like this.

How does Skycouch compare on a full flight vs an empty one?

On a packed 787, Skycouch is arguably a far more comfortable experience. On quieter flights (like JFK-AKL with weight limits), unsold rows might let you stretch for free - check the seat map at check-in, talk to the crew once onboard, and pounce. Either way, Skycouch locks in your spot for a comfortable flight.

What's the tallest height Skycouch fits comfortably?

At 1.55m long, 5'8" is the sweet spot - stretch out flat or slight curl, no hassle. Up to 6ft, you can manage diagonally or fetal-style (head at window, feet mid-row). Over 6'2", it's tight - knees bend hard, feet dangle, or you're swapping to upright. We suggest being open-minded but also cautious about buying a Skycouch if you think you'll be uncomfortable or don't like sleeping on your side in a curl.

Related guides