13% Happy To Sleep With Strangers On Flights Says Skyscanner

Results from a poll by flight search engine Skyscanner show that air travellers are a friendly group of people ...

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Feb 16, 2010, 08:30 ET

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- 13% of people would be happy to share a Skycouch with a stranger they met in queue, according to the latest poll from flight comparison site Skyscanner.

The Air New Zealand Skycouch converts a row of three airline seats into a bed. It is 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 that tuck away, creating a mattress allowing two adults to stretch out.

The seats on relatively cheap flights in Economy class have always lacked in comfort compared to Business class. 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 they would happily pay 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 winner with long haul flyers and a lucrative move for the airline.

Barry Smith, Skyscanner co-founder and director said:

"We applaud Air New Zealand for making long haul flying more comfortable. We knew people would like the idea, but were amazed that so many would share the Skycouch with a stranger! It could lead to new relationships blooming at twenty thousand feet, although Air New Zealand has stressed that Skycouches should not be used to join the 'mile high' club."

Skyscanner is a leading travel search site based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Skyscanner provides instant online comparison on flight prices, including flights to London for over 670,000 routes on over 600 airlines, as well as car hire, hotel and holiday price comparison.

With Skyscanner users can browse without having to enter specific dates or even destinations, and Skyscanner is available in 20 different languages including French, German and Spanish.

SOURCE Skyscanner