Critique of the Air New Zealand Seat Recline Feature, Known as the Skycouch
Air New Zealand's Skycouch is revolutionising the economy class experience, offering a unique seating option that transforms a row of three seats into a cozy, lie-flat space for ultimate comfort. This innovative product is available on certain routes, such as NZ175 and NZ176 between Perth and Auckland.
The Skycouch offers numerous benefits for passengers, particularly on medium to long-haul flights. It provides increased comfort and space, allowing passengers to stretch out flat, which is uncommon in standard economy. This can significantly reduce fatigue on long flights.
For families or couples, the Skycouch offers an ideal space to share, making it easier to relax, nap, or even sleep. The additional legroom and neighbour-free experience further enhance the comfort level, providing a more affordable upgrade to business class comfort.
The Skycouch can be selected during the seat selection stage when booking a flight. For a couple who books an entire row of Skycouch, the cost is $150 each, making it a more affordable upgrade compared to business class seats.
However, for flights under seven hours, like the Perth-Auckland route, Air New Zealand does not provide in-flight amenity kits or kids' activity packs. This is something to consider when booking a flight with the Skycouch.
The Skycouch comes equipped with a mattress pad, pillows, and a blanket to ensure maximum comfort. For those who prefer, kids' headphones are available upon request on Air New Zealand flights.
The review of the Skycouch, published on March 18, 2025, by Sharon Petersen, scored a 10/10. Petersen found the Skycouch to be the best option and would choose it over Premium Economy. The review can be viewed on Instagram at @airline_ratings.
Air New Zealand is the only airline in the world to offer the Skycouch, setting it apart from its competitors. The crew on the flight from Auckland to Perth was commended for their exceptional service, especially in dealing with a difficult child.
In conclusion, the Skycouch is suitable for solo travellers, couples, or families who want extra space for a more comfortable economy class experience. If Air New Zealand offers the Skycouch on a route, it is highly recommended to book it for an enhanced journey.
The Skycouch provides an unprecedented travel experience, especially for families or couples, as it offers a comfortable shared space on longer flights, making it more appealing than standard economy. Air New Zealand's lifestyle section of their website includes news about the home-and-garden enhancements made to their Skycouch, ensuring a cozy and restful environment for passengers.
