Air New Zealand to Offer "Cuddle Class Skycouch" Beds

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From CNN by Tiffany Lam

Some passengers on Air New Zealand flights will get to cozy up to their partners on selected seats shaped like couches in the airline’s economy class starting next year.

The seats, dubbed ‘Skycouch’ by the airline, have been designed so that three separate seats in a row can be converted into a futon-like surface.

Once the armrests are retracted, and foot rests pulled up to fill the gap from the edge of the seat to the seat in front, the Skycouch allows fliers to sleep side by side like they’re in bed at home.

Skycouches will be available on Boeing 777 flights from New Zealand to Los Angeles and London starting April 2, 2011. The company plans to extend the design to all its long haul flights by 2012.

Great news for couples — nothing says separation pain more than armrests and seats with peculiar curvatures.

The Skycouch design was unveiled in January this year and the airline will take delivery of its first revamped 777 jets in November, according to Stuff.co.nz. Those who have already booked flights between Los Angeles and Auckland from April 2 2011 onwards can upgrade to Skycouches now.