The accolades keep coming as Air New Zealand’s futuristic Skynest – the world’s first sleep pods in the sky – won the Innovative Cabin Concept category at the global Crystal Cabin Awards held in Hamburg, Germany yesterday.
The international award recognises excellence in aircraft interior innovation with Air New Zealand’s Economy Skynest bunkbeds singled out for showing significant innovation in its future cabin design.
Air NZ showcased its Skynest concept at the recent TRENZ event in Christchurch.
Air New Zealand Head of Aircraft Programmes Kerry Reeves accepted the award on behalf of the airline.
“It’s an incredibly proud moment for us to receive this award. Air New Zealanders come to work every day and challenge each other to think differently and the Skynest is a perfect example of this mindset in action,” he said.
“The development of the Skynest has been a labour of love. As it’s a world-first there are plenty of hoops we need to jump through and problems we need to solve, but the popularity and excitement around it coming to market is what keeps us going.
“We can’t wait for our customers to experience it in September 2024 when we welcome the first of our new 787-9 into Aotearoa.”
Air New Zealand also picked up the Onboard Hospitality Cabin Concept of the Year Award for its FACE (Future Aircraft Cabin Experience) program, which focuses on the future and its ‘Manaaki – taking care further’ brand promise.
The airline previously won Crystal Cabin Awards’ Greener Cabin, Health, Safety and Environment category in 2019 for its Economy Skycouch.
For more info, head to airnewzealand.co.nz
