Air New Zealand has found a way to make economy passengers more comfortable in the air. (Shutterstock)

WELLINGTON, Jan 26 (Reuters Life!) - Longing for a lie-down, long-haul? Air New Zealand will offer flat beds to economy class passengers on some flights later this year.

The national airline has designed a Skycouch, which can be folded flat to the seat in front and will be big enough for a couple or a couple with a small child.

It will take the space of three normal economy class seats and cost two seats at standard prices and a third at half price. They will be available on the the airline’s new fleet of Boeing 777-300.

The airline says the couches and a general makeover of the cabins in the new planes is aimed at revitalising long haul travel.

“For the past three years we have been designing a new long haul experience that will reignite the passion of today’s travellers. For those who choose, the days of sitting in economy and yearning to lie down and sleep are gone,” chief executive Rob Fyfe said in a statement.

Air New Zealand, three-quarters owned by the New Zealand government, built a full sized replica of a Boeing 777-300 cabin to develop the couches and new decor.

The airline is also giving its premium economy and business premier classes a revamp including seats that do not recline into the space of the passenger behind, and an on-demand food service.

The new planes and in-flight services will be offered initially on the Auckland-Los Angeles route, and then extended on flights to London in time for next year’s Rugby World Cup, which is being held in New Zealand.

The airline said it also expects to refit its Boeing 777-200 to the new configuration over the course of next year.

(Reporting by Gyles Beckford, editing by Miral Fahmy)