The INFAMOUS Skycouch of Air New Zealand: Poor Man’s Business Class or Waste of Money?

• Airline: Air New Zealand
• Class: Sky Couch
• Route: Auckland (AKL) to Perth (PER)
• Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER

I’m back with another aviation adventure, and this time, I set out to test one of the most unique seating products in commercial aviation: Air New Zealand’s Skycouch.

Is it true comfort, a brilliant alternative to Business Class, or just a waste of money? Let’s break it down, along with a personal detour down memory lane back to where my journey in Australia all began.

The Skycouch is available on almost all of Air New Zealand’s widebody fleet, including the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner (our Triple 7 today carried 20 Skycouch setups).

Essentially, it’s a row of three standard Economy class seats equipped with special footrests that flip up 90 degrees to form a completely flat surface.

The Cost & Check-In

• Price: NZD $1,024 (approx. $600 USD) for a 6-hour trans-Tasman flight from Auckland (AKL) to Perth (PER).
• Lounge Access: Not included with a Skycouch ticket.
• Boarding Pass: Your boarding pass lists the main window seat assignment (40H in my case) with a small “Skycouch” notation on it.
• Check-In Experience: Dropping bags at Auckland’s standard Economy check-in was smooth as butter.

Walking past Air New Zealand’s outdated Business Class layout (which is definitely showing its age) and their solid Premium Economy section, I arrived at my row.

The Dining

Before transforming the row into a full bed, dinner was served.

• The Main: Butter Chicken served with a bread roll, fresh fruit salad, crackers, and an ice cream tub for dessert.
• Verdict: Hands down one of the best butter chicken dishes I have ever tasted on a flight. Presentation was great, and serving ice cream in Economy is always a winning move in my book.

Setting Up the Skycouch

If you’re an introvert like me, setting up the Skycouch can feel a bit awkward because the entire cabin seems to watch you do it! However, the crew steps in to assist, and the entire setup takes under two minutes.

• Bedding & Safety: Air New Zealand supplies dedicated bedding with two plush pillows, a standard Economy blanket, and a special Skycouch safety card.
• Safety Belt Extension: The cabin crew attaches a extended seatbelt loop that hooks right into your seatback pocket, keeping you safely buckled in while lying completely flat.

The Verdict: Is the Skycouch Worth It?

Comfort & Space: Noticeably more spacious than a standard row. Perfect for curling up, reading, or relaxing.

Tall Passengers: If you are very tall, stretching out completely straight will be tight.

Couples & Families: Fits two adults if you don’t mind getting extremely cozy; absolute perfection for a parent traveling with a child

Overall Value: Great alternative to Business Class for short-to-medium long-haul routes (like Auckland to LAX).

Final Note: While I’m glad I finally got to test it out, as a solo traveler, I probably wouldn’t book it again for a short flight—but it is a fantastic innovation by Air New Zealand.

Landing in Perth, the world’s most isolated city, brought back a flood of memories.

When I first arrived in Australia back in 2012, I had €50 to my name, a backpack, and zero plan.

• Spent €25 on a SIM card, then lost my phone hitchhiking into the city.
• Had to buy a $10 phone and $10 prepaid card, leaving me with $5 total.
• Lived off McDonald’s $2 items and 99-cent instant noodles while couch-surfing.

Eventually, I landed a job on Rottnest Island at the local Dome Café, living in converted former hospital quarters and surviving on a bag of oatmeal and customer leftovers.

Visiting My Old Work Place

Taking the 20-minute ferry from Fremantle out to Rottnest Island in pouring rain, I visited the same Dome Café where I worked 15 years ago—before the owner, Steven, fired me.

• Service & Food Today: Safe to say, customer service and food quality at that specific location remain pretty poor!
• No Regrets: Being fired back then was a blessing in disguise. Had I stayed in hospitality, I wouldn’t be traveling the world, sharing aviation stories, and living out my dreams today.

Hard times build character—and every setback is just a stepping stone.

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This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!