A MAJOR airline has revealed plans to restart UK flights – and you might just get the best sleep onboard.
Air New Zealand last had flights between the UK and New Zealand back in 2020.
However the route – which went via Los Angeles – was axed during Covid.
The London-Auckland route first launched in 1982, and was the first commercial airline to welcome a royal when the Queen broke with tradition in 1995 to travel onboard.
And now the airline’s new CEO has revealed future plans to start up again, alongside a number of routes in India.
Nikhil Ravishankar told local outlet Stuff: “Places we would go tomorrow if we could, and we want to get there as quickly as we can, would be London [and India] – those are places that we know New Zealanders are interested in being connected to.
“I think all three of those are equally important for us, but India and London are top of the list.
“There are a lot of reasons why New Zealand should be connected to the United Kingdom – it’s a very, very important, almost a cultural highway for us, and so we need to get that route up and running.”
It isn’t clear when this could restart, or where the airline will connect via.
Due to the long nature of the flight – often taking around 24 hours – connections are often in destinations such as Singapore or Hong Kong.
If it does restart, its good news for passengers as Air New Zealand is the only airline in the world set to have bunk beds onboard.
Launching in early 2026, the Skynest will include six bunk bed sleep pods that both economy and premium economy passengers will be able to book.
Each bed can be booked for a four hour slot, and will have new pillows, sheets and blankets per passengers, as well as earplugs, charging points and a personal light.
A curtain will be able to be closed to offer some extra privacy.
They were initially set to launch in 2024 on flights from New York to New Zealand but have since been delayed.
While prices are yet to be confirmed, it was previously suggested that the four hour sessions could be between NZ$400-$600 (£173-£260).
However, you can only book one slot per flight – so make the most of the four hours.
Otherwise there is also the Skycouch, where you can turn a row of three sets into a lie flat bed.
Rather than pay for three seats, passengers can buy two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch, with then includes the third seat.
Passengers don’t need to buy three seats – instead, you pay for two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch which automatically includes the third seat.
Prices start from £104 each way.
In the mean time, Brits can fly to New Zealand with other airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Flights include stopovers in Dubai, Singapore, Doha and Hong Kong, respectively.
Another airline has revealed plans for non-stop 20-hour flights to London.
And here is the regional UK airport that has revealed plans for long-haul flights.