Unless you are a tiny child or a midget, flying long-haul in economy is the stuff of nightmares. It’s no surprise that economy class passngers try and drink themselves into a drooling stupor.

I would, and I do, and I still cannot sleep in those ridiculous seats. For this reason I prefer to fly during the day, if possible, even if it does cost a day’s holiday at each end.

So, a lie-flat bed in economy class is what we we who fly cattle have been dreaming about forever.

There have been odd proposals for economy beds including a bunk-bed arrangement that would make airliners look like the inside of a German U-Boat.

Until now.

Air New Zealand has proudly announced the Skycouch, the first lie-flat bed ever in economy class, other than the floor (not allowed) or the hold (also not allowed unless you are a pet or a suitcase).

Skycouch is a row of three seats that looks like any standard row of economy seats. Press a button and a panel folds up from below the seat to create a sleeping platform with room for two adults or one adult and two kids.

But, as the wise old saw goes, if it sounds to good to be true it probably is, unless, of course, you’re a parent travelling with two kids.

If you are a couple, say, and you want to travel Skycouch, you will have to buy the third seat at half the standard fare. That means you’ll be buying a extra economy one-way fare for the privilege of lying down on your journey.

Since Air New Zealand is the only carrier so far to have the seats, chances are this will only be an issue if you’re flying to New Zealand. But the idea – which is good one, its limitations notwithstanding – will probably appear on other airlines soon.

I’d rather rather have U-Boat bunks, but that’s another story.

PHOTO: The Skycouch in action. SOURCE: Air New Zealand

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