I flew from New York to Auckland on the world's 4th longest flight. Here are the 6 coolest things on the Boeing 787 used for the 17 hour journey.

Taylor Rains/Insider

• Air New Zealand flies the world's fourth longest route, journeying over 8,800 miles between New York and Auckland.
• I flew on the carrier to Auckland in business class, and in its unique economy cabin Skycouch to New York.

Air New Zealand flew its historic ultra-long-haul flight between New York and Auckland on Sept 17, which is now the fourth longest route in the world at 8,843 miles.

Air New Zealand 787.      Shutterstock

Air New Zealand will operate the 4th longest flight in the world when it launches the first-ever nonstop route between the US East Coast and the South Pacific nation

The journey, which uses a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, takes a daunting 17 and a half hours to get to Auckland and 16 hours to return to New York.

Taylor Rains/Insid

While the long flight seems treacherous, ANZ has been innovating its cabin to minimize jet lag and improve comfort.

Taylor Rains/Insider

For example, the carrier offers unique amenities not seen on many competitors, like special sleep options and simplified inflight service.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I flew on the inaugural flight from New York to Auckland in business class, and back in the airline's one-of-a-kind economy Skycouch, and loved the experience.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I flew on the world's new 4th longest flight from New York to Auckland and Air New Zealand's business class made the over 17-hour journey easily bearable

Here are the six coolest things onboard the Boeing 787 flying the world's fourth longest flight.

Taylor Rains/Insider

ANZ's Dreamliner has been equipped with several cabin products for customers to choose from, including business…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…premium economy…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…regular economy…

Taylor Rains/

…and the Skycouch, which is a row of three seats that converts into a bed. Only parties booked together will use the Skycouch, so no one will share with a stranger.

Air New Zealand

The airline is also planning to add a bunk-style economy product in 2024, known as Skynest.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I tried Air New Zealand's one-of-a-kind Skynest and found the cozy bunk bed to be a great sleep option for economy passengers

Out of the four products, the Skycouch is hands down the coolest product because of its outside-the-box thinking.

Flying Air New Zealand's Skycouch.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Because New Zealand is uniquely isolated in the South Pacific, its national carrier operates a strong ultra-long-haul network, and customers want sleep options that don't break the bank.

Flying Air New Zealand's Skycouch.      Taylor Rains/Insider

While it will still cost a pretty penny, the Skycouch is a great medium between economy and business because passengers can lie fully-flat across the bed.

Taylor Rains/Insider

On my flight, I was able to sleep about eight hours. I also liked being able to sit criss-cross on the couch while I worked, or stretch my legs when needed.

Flying Air New Zealand's Skycouch.      Taylor Rains/Insider

According to ANZ, the versatile bed costs $3,812 for a roundtrip flight from New York to Auckland in February 2023 for one person. For comparison, the same trip costs $4,278 for premium economy and $11,951 for business.

When purchasing the ticket, the Skycouch is reserved per leg. From New York to Auckland in February 2023, the price is $605, while the return price for the Skycouch is $1,320. Those costs are on top of the regular roundtrip fare of $1,887. The fee is typically less for two or more people booking together.      Air New Zealand

Source: Air New Zealand

Although premium economy has better meals and a larger seatback screen, it doesn't have lie-flat capabilities. For a cheaper price, customers may prefer the Skycouch.

ANZ's premium economy.      Taylor Rains/Insider

However, I will note that sleeping on the Skycouch is easier for one or two people, rather than three. It will be difficult for three grown adults, or even an adult and two teenagers, to lie flat all at once.

Flying Air New Zealand's Skycouch.      Taylor Rains/Insider

For three people, ANZ offers a bundle to book two Skycouches or one Skycouch and one extra seat, allowing passengers to take turns sleeping.

The bundle options for the Skycouch for three people on the February 2023 roundtrip flight. One or two passengers cannot bundle.      Air New Zealand

While the Skycouch was the standout for me on the ultra-long-haul journey, there were a few other neat amenities onboard, like the seatback ordering.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Each passenger on ANZ, regardless of whether you're in economy or first, can order drinks and snacks from the TV throughout the flight. This includes water, coffee, beer, and chips.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I loved this option because I didn't need to call over the flight attendant to order, making the process much more efficient.

I ordered coffee, water, and a protein bar.      Taylor Rains/Insider

The third cool perk was the ottoman in business class, which acts as a footrest when the seat is in an upright position.

Taylor Rains/Insider

But, it can also be used as a chair for a fellow passenger to hang out or have meetings. This is not unique to ANZ as carriers like JetBlue Airways and Qatar Airways offer shared business class spaces, but it is less common.

JetBlue Airways Airbus A321neo's with new Mint Studio.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Three other amenities onboard are interesting features of ANZ's Dreamliner, like the unique mood-lighting that emits rays of pink, orange, purple, and blue throughout the cabin…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…the window dimmers that keep the cabin dark even during daylight hours…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and the unique wallpaper in the lavatories, which I don't often see on airliners.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The bathrooms had different wall designs, like clouds, books, and butterflies.

Taylor Rains/Insider