Air NZ to offer economy class 'seat-beds'

Such luxury may be coming for economy passengers. File photo / supplied

Air New Zealand is set to offer economy passengers the chance to spread out in comfort in a new seat design if there is an empty space next to them, according to a report.

For a fee of around $150, passengers will be able to convert their seat and the one next to them into a seat-bed.

The move would be a world first, the Sydney Moring Herald says today, and could earn Air NZ millions.

Passengers would only be able to book the extra seat if space is available when they check-in.

A source told the newspaper the seat arrangement would involve both seats sliding forward with the seat rest raising up. Foot room would disappear and the passenger could spread out across both seats.

Air NZ is to receive a number of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at the end of next year and is not giving much away about its new interiors ahead of that.

Basic details of the new seat-beds, which could be in place within six months, came from Air NZ international group general manager Ed Sims at an investor briefing last week.

It is thought Air NZ could sell the seat design to other airlines.

- NZ HERALD STAFF