The $200 upgrade that will change the way young families fly

A savvy mum-of-two has shared how a little known economy class upgrade completely transformed her family’s experience of long haul flying.

Adele Barbaro made the revelation on a 15-hour Air New Zealand flight to Los Angeles, before posting her find to her parenting-based Facebook page.

In the post, Melbourne-based Ms Barbaro showcased how the Skycouch allowed her entire family - including two toddlers - to sleep comfortably for an extra $200.

Game changing

She explained how the revolutionary flying option a similar amount of room offered to non-economy class passengers for a fraction of the price.

“It’s the next best thing to business (but way cheaper) and perfect for long haul flights with young families. And we all slept,” she wrote.

“If there [are] two of you travelling, you can purchase a third seat at half price and you will get the entire row to yourself.

“The leg rests all rise to meet the chair in front and it creates a completely flat, large play or sleep area. Paul and Harvey had a bed and so did Chloe and I.”

Unlike typical economy seating, the airline gives passengers using the Skycouch special leg rests to install in order to keep the bed in place.

For young families potentially wrought with worry their sleepless little one may derail the entire cabin’s flying experience, the Skycouch could be a game changer.

How the Skycouch works

The scheme works by allowing passengers who have bought two adjacent seats to purchase a third for the reduced price.

Similarly, solo travellers can take advantage of the couch for a slightly steeper price tag than the $200 Ms Barbaro would have paid.

Air New Zealand’s website explains the Sky Couch allows ‘a row of Economy seats to be turned into a couch after takeoff’.

The game changing upgrade is currently available on all long haul Boeing 777 and 787-9 aircraft flights and includes bedding and pillows.

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