Economy Class ‘sleeper row’ beds

[flyguy]

This is a good idea and for additional revenue and perhaps SQ should look into this as its passenger load factor is still below 40% on average for its flights.

https://mainlymiles.com/2021/08/01/l...rom-singapore/

[Stratoliner777]

I agree, it's a good idea. SQ might like something a bit more special like NZ's "Sky Couch" offering, but that one requires specialised seats.

[ponders]

Correct me if I am wrong but I think Air NZ has a patent on it and airlines wishing to have this on their flights will need to pay royalty to Air NZ.

Anyone knows?

[flyguy]

Do not think that Air NZ have a patent just on the way the 3 or 4 seater row is used as a sleeper. It just have its patent on its own "sky coach" style ie in its type of matress cover, bedsheets etc

[wlgspotter]

Do not think that Air NZ have a patent just on the way the 3 or 4 seater row is used as a sleeper. It just have its patent on its own "sky coach" style ie in its type of matress cover, bedsheets etc

Actually that’s not quite true. Air NZ’s SkyCouch product offering actually allow the footrest of the window side 3 seaters to be raised all the way up to the same level as the seat bottom, therefore forming an extra wide area that can be used as a couch for couples/travellers with children etc to lie down or an extra space. With it Air NZ also provide special seatbelts for your to secure yourself and a partner/children sharing the SkyCouch. It is this feature (where you the footrest could be raised up to seat bottom level) that is patented.

[flyguy]

oh ok Air NZ have their patent on their concept of the footrests and special seatbelts. But the use of the basic 3 or 4 seater as a "bed" should be ok for other airlines like what Lufthansa offers.

[wlgspotter]

oh ok Air NZ have their patent on their concept of the footrests and special seatbelts. But the use of the basic 3 or 4 seater as a "bed" should be ok for other airlines like what Lufthansa offers.

Yeah kind of. I think the entire seat construct - the seat with the foot rest being able to be raised, etc, forms an entire package. And only CI (China Airlines of Taiwan) have paid royalty for it to have the "SkyCouch" on their A350-900 and 77Ws - I believe CI marketed it as "Family Couch"...

But yes I think for other airlines like LH who just offers the 3-4 seats to be sold together for couples/families I don't think it violates AirNZ's patent on their SkyCouch.

[jul247]

It would be a good idea for family or couple travelling together.

There are few airlines having it such as French airline Air Austral, which installed the Skycouch on its 777-300ERs, and Brazil’s Azul, which installed a center quad-seat variant called Skysofa on its Airbus A330-200 fleet. Taiwan’s China Airlines, which dubbed it Family Couch, introduced the product on board its 777-300ERs and A350-900s in 2014. However, the airline stated back in 2019 it would cease the service, reportedly due to inconsistent demand.