Long haul flight are very tiring for passengers, particularly those flying economy class. New Zealand Airlines will offer a solution to the problem by selling unsold seats to passengers. The airline has taken one step further by creating a technical device turning these empty seats into a lie-flat bed by sliding the seats forward and raising the foot rest.  Thus, two people will share a row of three seats. The new seat design is the brainchild of Altitude Aerospace Interiors, an Air New Zealand subsidiary.

Empty seats will be offered  for $150. The design has the potential of earning the airline an additional $60 million each year, according to airline specialists. Will this canibalize business class? Claimed not to, as seats cannot be purchased until last minute before departure. See a pic on Vielflieger Blog