WELL SEATED
Air New Zealand’s Skycouch turns your ‘way cheaper’ economy seats into a bed and it’s had rave reviews from parents
A MUM revealed how an easy economy upgrade can make you feel like you're sitting in business class.
Known as the Skycouch, the Air New Zealand option allows you to convert your row into a makeshift bed - and parents are raving about it.
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Melbourne mum blogger Adele Barbaro to Facebook.
Her post has attracted more than 23,000 comments from users questioning how she was able to create a first-class experience for just a few hundred dollars.
She wrote: "We got to experience the Air New Zealand Skycouch on our way here and for those that don’t know what it is, it is a unique economy option where your entire row becomes a bed.
"If there is two of you travelling, you can purchase a third seat at half price and you will get the entire row to yourself.
"The legs rest all rise to meet the chair in front and create a completely flat, large play or sleep area.
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"Paul and Harvey had a bed and so did Chloe and I. It’s the next best thing to business (but way cheaper) and perfect for long haul flights with young families. And we all slept."
The economy Skycouch, which launched in 2011 before being revamped in 2018 for kids, allows a row of seats to be turned into a couch or bed after takeoff.
Passengers don't need to buy three seats - instead, you pay for two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch which automatically includes the third seat.
It means you are able to stretch out across the entire row and even into the legroom.
There is also a dedicated harness and belt so they can stay safe when lying down.
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According to Air New Zealand, the "couch" is so flexible it can be used as seating, a couch or even a play area.
The world first comes with pillows and other bedding, meaning you get the entire row to yourself in privacy.
Passengers can purchase the flight add-on from $200 (£104) each way (based on a Sydney to Los Angeles flight) when the seat row is booked.
Instead of setting a separate price for Skycouch, Air New Zealand charges for one economy seat plus an additional fee.
Thomas Cook launches new sleeper seats in ECONOMY so you can have the whole row to yourself
When you upgrade to an economy Skycouch you reserve all three seats in your row.
But be warned, you will pay more if you are travelling alone.
Thousands of social media users have praised the upgrade, commending the couch as saving them during a long-haul flight.
One person wrote: "Best thing we did was get the sky couch for our holiday kids slept 7 out of 14 hour flight that’s a win for me.
Another added: "Skycouch was amazing on our recent trip to USA. I wish every airline would allow this."
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Thomas Cook launched a similar seat option in economy where for just £200 you can have a whole row to yourself to sleep.
There is also a handy way to get a row to yourself without paying much extra.
An expert explained that by using a seat website which reveals how many are left free, you can then nab three seats in a row.
This article was originally published on and has been reproduced with permission.