Flight test: San Francisco-Auckland on Air New Zealand’s Skycouch

Friday, 28 June 2024

I tried my first ever Skycouch, and I am going to struggle to go back to my usual economy seat afterwards.

The route

The plane

Boeing 777-319ER with the registration ZK-OKO. It’s 13 years old and you may remember it as the one with that special Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug livery.

The seat

46H, J and K. Thanks to an upgrade I got to try my first ever Skycouch, and I am going to struggle to go back to my usual economy seat afterwards.

After quick instructions on how to use it from the crew, it wasn’t long before I decided to give it a whirl. It’s very easy, just pull up the extendable foot rests under each seat and voilà, you have a bed. There’s a special belt-buckle attachment so you are safe during turbulence. There were plenty of pillows and a blanket as well, and after dinner I bedded down and slept for about five hours. For someone that struggles badly to sleep on long-haul (but bizarrely finds it easy on short up-and-downs), it was a breath of fresh air.

During the non-slumber times, I had no seats behind me and had plenty of opportunity to recline. I was next to the toilets but it wasn’t an issue.

Time in the air

Air New Zealand has unveiled a new sleeping pod for Economy.

The night flight across the Pacific is scheduled for 13 hours. We took off 25 minutes late but landed 45 minutes early.

The food

Dinner was a typical chicken or beef. I went with the former which was an OK Tuscan-style chook which came with salad. Breakfast was French toast with fruit or the cheesy omelette. I went sweet and wasn’t disappointed. There were snacks like crisps and popcorn available in the galley all through the night.

The entertainment

A good selection of new movies and TV shows. I settled for the UK miniseries Mr Bates v The Post Office which was fantastic, as well as Madame Web, which was, well, a choice.

The service

Exemplary. Attentive throughout, this particular crew were genuinely welcoming. Nothing seemed too much trouble. Top marks all round.

The essentials

Air New Zealand flies daily between San Francisco and Auckland. See: airnewzealand.co.nz.

Carbon footprint: Flying generates carbon emissions. To reduce your impact, consider other ways of travelling, amalgamate your trips, and when you need to fly, consider offsetting emissions.

The author paid for his economy fare and received an upgrade.