Airline unveils stacked bunk bed ‘pods’ as backlash builds over pricey, cramped way to fly

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Mom makes sourdough bread on international flight

Maria Baradell, a mom of five, traveled from Dallas, Texas, to Barcelona, Spain, and decided to make sourdough on the airplane.In a viral TikTok, she can be seen mixing, folding and fermenting the dough.

Air New Zealandis introducing what some regard as a game changer for economy passengers who want a good night’s sleep, but travelers are strongly divided on the new feature.

The airline said travelers will soon be able to book time in its new “Skynest” pods, a first-of-its-kind feature that offers beds for passengers who are not flying in first class.

The pods will debut onflights between Auckland and New York, a route that can last up to 18 hours.

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Each Skynest includes six individual sleeping pods stacked in a bunk-style layout, allowing passengers to lie flat in a private space separate from their seats.

In an updated media release, the airline said each pod will include a mattress, pillow, blanket, reading light, ventilation and a privacy curtain, along with charging outlets for devices.

Air New Zealand plane with bunk beds and economy seating.

Air New Zealand is launching “Skynest,” a new economy-class feature that lets passengers reserve lie-flat, bunk-style pods to rest on long-haul flights (pictured).(Air New Zealand)

Passengers will also receive acomplimentary kit,with items such as an eye mask and earplugs.

Access to the pods will not be included in the base ticket price, the airline noted.

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Instead, travelers can book a single four-hour session per flight, with prices starting at a whopping $495.

Passenger sleeping in Air New Zealand Economy Skynest pod with lie-flat bed and sleep mask on ultra-long-haul flight.

Passengers can reserve one four-hour session per flight, with prices beginning at $495.(Air New Zealand)

Travelers quickly flocked to Reddit to share opinions and gripes.

The main complaint was price.

price was exorbitant.

“One hundred dollars per hour to sleep.This better besome good sleep,” another said, strongly disagreeing.

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It would “take me at least an hour to fall asleep thinking about how much money it was costing me,” a Reddit user complained.

“Are people flying economy going to part with their money to lie down for four hours?” another person said.

At the same time, some travelers said the option could make sense financially compared to more expensive upgrades, noting it may offer a middle-ground alternative between economy and business class.

Passengers relaxing in Air New Zealand Economy Skynest pods, reading and resting in lie-flat sleeping spaces on long-haul flight.

The airline said each pod will feature a mattress, pillow, blanket, reading light, ventilation, a privacy curtain, and charging outlets for devices.(Air New Zealand)

The feature builds on the airline’s existing “Skycouch,” which allows passengers to convert a row of seats into a flat surface.

Other airlines are also exploring similar options.

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premium and comfort-based offeringsas they look to boost revenue.

Carriers like United Airlines have expanded higher-end seating and upgraded cabin features, betting that travelers will continue to pay more for added comfort, particularly on long-haul flights.