Economy air travellers are finally going to get the chance to lay flat on some of the world’s longest flights – for a fee, of course.

Air New Zealand is about to open bookings on its innovative in-flight bunk beds, dubbed Skynest.

The sleeping pods for passengers in economy will be a world first when they go on sale on May 18, with the first flights in November.

Air NZ chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said the concept was another example of the airline backing innovation that improved the travel experience and strengthened New Zealand’s connection to the world.

“For a country as remote as New Zealand, the journey matters. Tourism is a $NZ46 billion ($A38 billion) industry, but growth depends on travellers’ willingness to spend long hours in the air to get here,” he said.

“Skynest is designed to help make that easier. It reflects the practical innovation New Zealand is known for, and shows how thoughtful design can improve the travel experience.

“By giving more people the chance to properly rest on ultra long-haul flights, it helps make travel to and from New Zealand more manageable.”

The beds will allow economy passengers to lie flat for up to four hours sleep. Photo: Air NZ

The airline unveiled the pods nearly four years ago as part of a radical cabin makeover. They will initially be available on Air NZ’’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for the 17-hour flight between Auckland and New York.

There will be six lie-flat sleep pods – or bunks – for economy and premium economy passengers. They can be booked in four-hour time slots for $NZ495 ($A409) a session.

Each Skynest pod provides a quiet, private space with a full-length mattress, bedding, ambient lighting, ventilation and charging ports. Cabin crew will change the linen between passengers.

Air NZ said it had tested its in-flight bunks with more than 200 customers in the years since it announced their launch.

It follows the airline’s introduction of the Sky Couch – where footrests lift up and three seats turn into a flat surface to allow economy passengers to stretch out.

“Skycouch gave customers more choice in how they travel, and Skynest builds on that by offering a new option for rest on our longest flights,” Ravishankar said.

“It is about recognising that customers value flexibility, comfort and control, and giving more people the opportunity to travel in a way that works better for them.”

In the US, United Airlines has also announced plans to introduce a Skycouch, which it calls “Relax Rows”, on some domestic flights from next year.

United Airlines will introduce its ‘Relax Rows’ next year. Photo: United Airlines

The Skynests do have their limitations. Air NZ warns that its upper bunks are about 1.6 metres from the ground and accessed via ladder-like steps. The middle row is about a metre from the floor, while the lowest beds are just 10 centimetres up.

“Skynest access requires bending, kneeling, crawling or climbing into the space,” its website says.

RoundAbout Travel CEO Anthony Riemann said Air NZ fans had eagerly awaited the Skynests for years.

He said being able to lie flat was a huge benefit but the limited capacity of just six beds would pose a challenge. Additionally, he said, some people “won’t like the proximity to other passengers [and] possible noise issues when trying to sleep”.

“We would still suggest considering a fully flat bed in business class if you want to sleep or rest on long-haul flights,” Riemann told Explore.

“But if the budget doesn’t allow that, then this could be an interesting concept to at least try.”

He said “time will tell” if passengers decide the concept is worth the extra hit to their hip pockets.