Tue, Feb 16, 2010
Poll Shows At Least Some Would Share A "Skycouch" With Someone
They Don't Know
13 percent of people would be happy
to share a Skycouch with a stranger they met in line, according to
the latest (very unscientific online) poll from the flight
comparison site Skyscanner.
Of course, that means that 87 percent said something like
"You've got to be kidding!"
The Skycouch, which has been developed by Air New Zealand, works
by converting a row of three airline seats into a bed. It is being
heralded as the first ‘lie-down economy bed’, and the
first major improvement in economy class travel comfort in 20
years. Three seats must be purchased together, with the third seat
offered at a discounted rate. Each of the seats has a cushion that
folds up from beneath and arm rests all tuck away, creating a flat
mattress that will allow two adults to stretch out.
The seats on relatively cheap flights in Economy class have
always lacked severely in comfort compared to their Business class
counterparts but with this new innovation the gap has been
significantly bridged for long haul flights such as cheap flights
to Sydney from the UK.
73% of the people who voted in
Skyscanner’s poll said that they would happily pay the extra
for a Skycouch, of which 60.5% said they would only share with
their partner. 25% said that they wouldn’t pay the extra and
would rather save their money.
Nearly 500 people voted in the poll, and the overall results
show that Air New Zealand’s innovation is a potential winner
with long haul flyers and a possibly lucrative move for the
airline.
“We applaud Air New Zealand for making long haul flying
more comfortable," said Barry Smith, Skyscanner co-founder and
director. "We knew people would like the idea, but we were amazed
that so many would be happy to share the Skycouch with a stranger
they’d only just met at the airport. It could lead to new
relationships blooming at twenty thousand feet, although Air New
Zealand have stressed that Skycouches should not be used to join
the ‘mile high’ club.”
Something like the "don't try this at home" disclaimer.
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