Mom makes sourdough bread on an international flight
Maria Barradell, a mother of five, took an interesting approach while flying from Dallas, Texas, to Barcelona, Spain. She decided to whip up some sourdough on the plane. A TikTok video, which has gone viral, captures her as she mixes, folds, and proof the dough mid-flight.
Air New Zealand reveals new sleeping pods for economy passengers
In a significant move for travelers, Air New Zealand is set to introduce what they are calling the “SkyNest.” This initiative aims to improve the flying experience for economy passengers who crave a better night’s sleep, though opinions on the feature seem quite mixed.
The airline announced that the SkyNest pods will be available for booking, marking the first time beds will be offered to those not flying in first class. These pods are scheduled to debut on long-haul flights from Oakland to New York, which can last up to 18 hours.
Each SkyNest consists of six individual sleeping pods arranged in a bunk-style setup, giving passengers a chance to lie down in a private area away from their seats. According to a recent media update from the airline, each pod will feature a mattress, pillow, blanket, reading light, ventilation system, privacy curtains, and charging outlets for devices.
Along with access to the pods, passengers can also expect a complimentary kit with essentials like eye masks and earplugs. However, it’s worth noting that accessing these pods isn’t included in the standard ticket price.
Instead, travelers can reserve one four-hour session per flight, starting at a rather steep price of $495.
Following the announcement, many travelers took to Reddit to share their thoughts, and, unsurprisingly, the price was a hot topic.
One user remarked, “I don’t know, it seems a bit excessive. Sitting in economy for 17 hours can be tough! The chance to get even just four hours of rest would be fantastic for some.” Yet, a lot of others felt the cost was just too high. “$100 an hour for sleep? That’s steep. You better hope you actually get some sleep for that!” another user commented.
Some expressed a struggle with how long it takes them to fall asleep, especially with the pressure of the price tag in mind. “Are economy passengers really willing to shell out that kind of cash just to lie down for a few hours?” another questioned.
On the flip side, there were individuals who saw this as a logical choice compared to pricier upgrades, suggesting it might be a middle ground between economy and business class options.
This new offering builds on Air New Zealand’s existing “Skycouch,” which allows passengers to convert a row of seats into a flat surface. Other airlines appear to be exploring similar concepts.
As airlines increasingly focus on enhancing premium and comfort-based services to raise revenue, it seems that offering more sleeping arrangements may be a direction many are heading. For instance, United Airlines has expanded its premium seating, anticipating a demand for added comfort, particularly on long flights.
