Touting its Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights from Sydney to New York and London, Qantas is redesigning its A350 cabins and creating a Wellness Zone, designed for stretching, hydration and healthy snacks. We’ll talk more about that later.
Singapore Airlines’ economy class cabin on its A380 aircraft.
Singapore was the first to introduce free, unlimited Wi-Fi for economy passengers in 2025, maintaining its reputation as one of the best choices for long-haul travel.
And, of course, we can’t overlook Air New Zealand, named the world’s best economy class airline in AirlineRatings.com’s 2026 World’s Best Airlines awards. That was largely due to its Skycouch innovation (more on that later, too).
Before we take off, just a word about methodology. There are several airline rating systems – the best-known are Skytrax and AirlineRatings.com, using slightly different criteria.
We could have just reprinted those. But flight experience is an incredibly personal thing. Skytrax may say Air ABC is the best economy airline and AirlineRatings will award XYZ Air. And you can bet there will be a sub-Reddit or TripAdvisor post starting, “I flew XYZ Air in 1985 and the food was …”
So, flying out of Aotearoa, which are the best economy class carriers to choose? I’ve been flying long-haul economy since 1970-mumble and these are my suggestions. You’ll notice several well-known brands keep cropping up. There are good reasons why.
Air NZ’s Economy Skynest has six individual pods with a full-length mattress, ambient lighting, ventilation and a USB outlet.
Best for sleep
No argument: Air New Zealand, with Skynest, the first lie-flat sleep pods for economy (and premium economy) passengers. The bunks can be booked for four-hour sessions on ultra-long-haul flights between Auckland and New York ($495 on top of your ticket).
There are six individual pods with a full-length mattress, ambient lighting, ventilation and a USB outlet. Fresh linen, pillows, a blanket, eye mask and earplugs are provided. Passengers are limited to one booking per flight, must be 15 or older and able to climb into the middle or top bunks.
It’s a step up (literally) from the Skycouch, which Air Aotearoa pioneered in 2011, where passengers buy three economy seats that can be turned into a full-size bed. Several carriers have copied the idea, including Lufthansa, United and ANA.
If you’re flying somewhere that doesn’t figure on Air New Zealand’s route map and comfort is a priority, consider Cathay Pacific’s beautifully appointed A350 fleet, Emirates’ A380 double-deckers or Singapore’s deep-reclining armchairs. As well as bigger seats with better recline and pitch, JAL also has spacious 2-4-2 seating rather than the usual, cramped 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 layouts, although, as noted above, you will have to get to Sydney or Melbourne first.
Best for food
They tell us Gordon Ramsay or Joel Robuchon or Josh Emmett is personally creating the new menu using locally sourced seasonal ingredients that speak to the culinary traditions of the nation whose logo is on the aircraft tail. Except those are mostly served in business or first class.
We wait, in our seat at the back, as the trolley inches its way down the aisle, and ask for the beef, to be told that they’ve just run out and enjoy the chicken, with barely recognisable lukewarm accompaniments, and crackers and cheese in plastic packets that defy unwrapping.
Economy class meals can be grim. But several airlines go above and beyond.
Singapore, long praised for its cuisine and service, really does reflect the multi-cultural food traditions of its home port.
Qatar offers restaurant-quality dishes, some of the most generous portion sizes and best special dietary meals in the sky, as does Emirates. Vegetarians will appreciate their plant-based options, fresh salads and desserts, and they also feature multi-course hot meals.
A couple of high-fliers aren’t on the menu just yet but soon will be. On Thai Airways (scheduled to return later this year), expect authentic dishes like chicken with green curry as well as Western options. Turkish Airlines flies out of Australia but last year announced it was eyeing New Zealand as one of its new destinations. Take it from a fairly frequent flier, it’s one of the industry’s unsung superstars, not only for its meals and service but the quality and comfort of its aircraft.
Qantas is promising to unveil a wellness zone on its long-haul flights, offering stretching space and healthy refreshments for all passengers. Photo / Qantas
Best for wellness / health
Bathing in hot springs at a Japanese onsen. Eastern healing and holistic luxury in Thailand. Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine in the foothills of the Himalayas. You’ve scoured your socials for the spa that promises to put you and your spirit back in sync. Now all you need is to endure the long-haul flight to get there.
Stress no more. Several airlines have upped their game and recognised that wellness-oriented getaways can begin at the airport.
Qantas is the game-changer, with its promise of the “third space” in the sky, a wellness zone on its long-haul flights that will offer stretching space and healthy refreshments for all passengers.
The 12 A350 aircraft in its Project Sunrise fleet will be used for ultra-long-haul flight routes from Sydney to London or to New York. Set between economy and premium economy, the wellbeing zones are “relaxing spaces with soft lighting, stretching posts, onboard exercise programmes and a healthy refreshment station”.
A render of the economy class cabin on Qantas’ yet to be launched A350 Project Sunrise flights.
But … and you knew there was a but coming … Project Sunrise has been delayed. More than once, just like the City Rail Link. Most recent guesstimate, it’ll take off some time in 2027.
Meanwhile, the best economy class airlines feature enhanced legroom, circadian lighting, specialised menus and sleep-focused amenities. The standouts are our usual suspects.
Singapore Airlines’ modern fleet uses LED lighting to simulate natural sunlight, aiding sleep and reducing jet lag, and their seats are darned comfortable.
Qatar’s newer planes are equipped with advanced air filtration systems, higher cabin humidity and quieter engines to reduce fatigue. Crew offer frequent in-flight hydration and meals are tailored to high-altitude digestion.
Shout-outs to Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific, too. Air NZ’s entertainment system features in-flight wellbeing content and it has partnered with Les Mills to develop stretching and movement routines, as well as (we’ll say it again) the Skycouch / Skynest options. Cathay Pacific also screens in-flight wellness features and in-seat fitness routines.
Emirates’ Ice platform offers thousands of movies, TV shows, music and live TV.
Best for entertainment
Long gone are the days when a dinky little screen dropped down from the ceiling several rows in front of your seat and began playing a suitably censored, black and white version of the movie that you’d seen in your local cinema three months ago.
Most long-haul travellers will take their own devices and noise-cancelling headphones on board and settle down with all 805 episodes of The Simpsons before they’re asked to pay attention to the safety video.
Cathay Pacific’s economy class experience, from entertainment to food to seat space.
But if you’re relying on the airline to entertain you for upwards of 30 hours, Cathay Pacific is widely regarded as the best in economy, with top-class equipment on its newer aircraft and a huge catalogue of Hollywood and Asian cinema, as well as special-interest sections.
Emirates’ Ice platform offers thousands of movies, TV shows, music and live TV. Qatar delivers more than 4000 media options along with in-seat charging stations, and Singapore provides KrisWorld, highly rated for its content, touchscreen handsets and entertainment libraries.
Air New Zealand launched the Economy Skycouch in 2011.
Best for families
The little airline at the bottom of the world is hands-down the most family-friendly. Air New Zealand’s Skycouch turned every parent’s nightmare about taking the toddlers to see the grandparents in Europe into a dream flight. As mentioned, airlines everywhere are racing to catch up with the concept.
But wait, there’s more – the excellent kids’ entertainment, priority boarding, amenities, age-appropriate menus and, of course, the Kiwi / Pasifika crew’s “nothing’s too much trouble” attitude.
Best of the rest include Qatar, which offers engaging in-flight entertainment, kid-specific meals and special care packages. During long-haul layovers in Doha, they also provide airport strollers and other amenities. Emirates also gives age-appropriate activity packs, headphones and custom meals to younger travellers.
Skytrax awarded its most family-friendly airline to Lufthansa. We think they got it wrong.
Qatar is considered among the best for its reliable Wi-Fi, in-seat power and generous legroom. Photo / NZ Herald
Best for work
You don’t have to turn left at the door: with a little planning you can turn your economy seat into business class and get that report written and finished before you land.
Don’t select bulkhead seats or exit rows. You can’t store your laptop bag and cables and bits ’n’ pieces under a bulkhead seat; there’s no space. Tray tables on exit rows are hidden in the armrest, so they’re smaller and unstable.
Channel your inner nerd and check what model of plane you’re flying; some older aircraft don’t have universal power outlets and are likely to have slower Wi-Fi.
Cathay Pacific, Singapore and Qatar are considered the best economy offices with reliable Wi-Fi, in-seat power and generous legroom.