Flying economy? Here's how you can still stretch out and sleep

Fancy escaping your economy seat for a few hours of lie-flat luxury during your long-haul flight?

A break from your cramped space; a chance to stretch out and grab some sleep by paying a supplement?

Air New Zealand' has announced that its innovative Economy Skynest will be available to sample from November, with bookings opening from May 18.

The initial Skynest project will operate between New York (JFK) and Auckland (AKL) - one of the longest routes in the world.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar says Skynest is an example of the airline backing innovation that improves the travel experience.

“New Zealand's unique location means we understand long-haul travel better than anyone," he said.

"On some of the world's longest commercial flights to and from New Zealand, Skynest is designed to make a real difference to the journey. Featuring six lie-flat pods in a bunk-style layout between the economy and premium economy cabins, it gives customers the opportunity to stretch out, lie flat and get a few hours' proper rest in the air.”

Developed over several years and tested with more than 200 customers, each Skynest pod provides a private space with a full-length mattress, bedding, ambient lighting, ventilation and charging ports.

The sessions have been designed to allow for natural sleep cycles giving time to settle, sleep and wake gradually. Initially, two sessions will be offered on each flight for a payment of around $495 per person.

“It's a simple idea with a powerful impact: swap the headrest for bedrest, and arrive ready to go,” Ravishankar says.

None of the publicity material has addressed what happens if one of the residents in a very enclosed space is a loud snorer, a bold farter, or, heaven forbid, tries to sneak a friend into the pod for some extracircular activities. 

It is bound to happen sooner or later.   

Learn more about Skynest at https://airnewzealand.com/economy-skynest

Qantas launches a one-week sale

 

Qantas has today launched a major domestic sale - but flyers will need to move quickly to snap up the deals. 

The Australian airline says it is selling more than 2 million discounted seats across 90 routes on its domestic and regional network, with Qantas apparently unworried by ongoing fuel supply issues.

The week-long sale, running until April 28, includes fares in both economy and business for travel through to March 2027, including during the upcoming June long weekend and winter school holidays, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

There are a range of one-way economy fares starting from $99 on routes from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney, while one-way business fares start from $299 on routes from Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.

The sale will end at 11:59pm (AEST) on April 28, unless sold out prior, and all fares include checked baggage and complimentary food and beverages.

"Australians' appetite for travel continues, and this sale is designed to support our customers planning their next trip around Australia over the next 12 months," says Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson. 

“We’ve just had a bumper Easter holidays with more than a million customers travelling around our domestic network and this sale is timed for those planning where to head next. 

"We have millions of discounted seats across more than 90 routes, including some of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations, from tropical beaches and much-loved regional towns, to city escapes.”

Details can be found at Qantas.com. 

New wine range aimed firmly at younger consumers

A lot of wine drinkers don’t care a jot about clones, terroir, vintage variations or provenance.

They just want a good drink that they know will pair well with their roast chicken, or sausage and chips.

Enter Ask The Elephant, the new sub-brand from the popular Elephant In The Room label.

The pitch is aimed firmly at those who just want a good drink for their hard-earned cash.

The brand has been created “for a new generation of wine drinkers who are ditching the rules, skipping
the ceremony, and choosing wine on their own terms".

So a sub-$10 brand focused on younger Australian drinkers not constricted by rules. 

The range will span five varietals: sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, merlot, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon – with the BOLD Shiraz and DETAILED Cabernet Sauvignon first in the national rollout. 

Producer Fourth Waves Wines say "each bottle cuts through the noise of the wine aisle with playful, taste-driven descriptors that make decision-making simple. No swirling, sniffing or sommelier jargon required."

“We’re excited to introduce Ask The Elephant to the Australian wine market,” says Nicholas Crampton, co-owner of Fourth Wave Wines. “Traditional wine culture can feel out of reach for the next generation of wine drinkers, creating barriers to engagement across the category. 

"With Ask The Elephant, we set out to break down those barriers by reimagining wine conventions.

“Made to be approachable and easy to explore, the range is made for modern drinking occasions. We see Ask The Elephant playing a clear role in simplifying choice, building confidence at shelf and reinforcing that great wine is ultimately about good taste and good company."

The Ask The Elephant BOLD Shiraz and DETAILED Cabernet Sauvignon are now available at BWS and Dan Murphy’s stores for RRP $9.99.

Fish death numbers a blow to the image of Tasmania's farmed salmon industry

Think you are eating clean and green when you buy Tasmanian farmed salmon, or order it in a restaurant?

You are actually supporting foreign-owned companies whose business model involves multiple large-scale fish deaths.

Data released by Tasmania's Environmental Protection Agency today shows reveals over 9,000 tonnes of salmon mortalities in first three months of 2026, amounting to around 12% of annual production, Peter George, Independent MP for Franklin, reported in a media statement.

"Mortalities in salmon pens in Tasmania have reached astonishing levels, revealing mass deaths and disease are now just “business as usual” for the multinational industry," George said. 

"The attrition rate has reached at least one in every four fish at even the most generous estimate and has probably been far higher. This is a level of animal mortality that no real farmer would tolerate.

"This is a deeply disturbing outcome and clear evidence the industry is unsustainable as Tasmanian waters warm rapidly and disease becomes endemic."

George reported figures for 2025 suggest an even worse outcome, with at least 4 million (21,133 tonnes) died in the 12 months, peaking at around 1.2 million (6,300 tonnes) alone in February of that year.

"By dumping thousands of kilos of the now-banned antibiotic, florfenicol, in diseased pens, the industry may have reduced the number of mortalities in the first months of this year – but those numbers remain totally unacceptable," George said.

"The industry has been spared even worse outcomes because waters have been cooler than expected so far this year.

"However, meteorologists predict super heating of waters next spring and summer which will inevitably result on far more disease and many, many more deaths.

"This is an industry facing crisis levels of mortalities in which untold numbers of fish will continue to suffer and die, regional jobs will grow more insecure, and Tasmania’s reputation as a clean, green haven will continue to slide."

Rosalie Woodruff MP, leader of the Tasmanian Greens, slammed the state Liberal Government for poor oversight of the industry, which is accused of environmental vandalism and is dominated by Brazilian-owned Huon Aquaculture and Canadian-owned Tassal.

"The Liberals and the industry claimed florfenicol would stop fish die-offs, but that hasn't happened - even with a cooler summer," she said.

"These figures are yet another reason why the Government needs to rule out supporting the salmon industry’s push to use this antibiotic again.

"Instead, the Liberals need to introduce basic measures like reducing fish density levels, and to empty those pens where disease takes hold."

Image: Bob Brown Foundation

Get in line: upgraded Kew hotel

One of suburban Melbourne's few international hotels has undergone multi-million-dollar refurbishment.

The Sebel Melbourne Kew is transitioning to a "design-led hotel offering premium apartment-style accommodation".

Designed by Mel Porter Design, the interiors draw inspiration from the elegant, leafy suburb where it sits - Kew.

The new-look hotel features a full lobby upgrade and an enhancement of guest rooms and corridors.

The works have span all key areas of the hotel, including an improved arrival experience, alongside refreshed public spaces.

Guest rooms and apartments have new furnishings, updated lighting and new tech.

“The transformation of The Sebel Melbourne Kew marks an exciting new chapter for Regional Accommodation Group," says group managing director Dominic Quilligan.

"Our aim was to create a contemporary, comfortable environment where guests can relax, work and feel at home. We've taken care to ensure the refurbishment not only aligns with The Sebel and Accor brand standards but also reflects the unique character of Kew.

"The result is a hotel that delivers a premium guest experience while remaining authentic to its local surroundings.”

The hotel is ideal for those seeking proximity to the CBD and MCG without being in the city.

For more info visit ALL.com.

* The Sebel brand comprises over 30 properties across Australia, New Zealand, and China. www.thesebel.com.

All white on the night: surprising Kiwi wine stats

New Zealand wine is an economic powerhouse. 

Kiwi wines are exported to more than 100 countries and wine is New Zealand’s seventh-largest export. 

But the world isn't drinking much Central Otago pinot noir, or Hawke's Bay syrah. 

White wine accounts for approximately 95% of New Zealand’s global wine exports - an astonishing figure. Sauvignon blanc remains the country’s most exported variety, with pinot gris and chardonnay building up steam. 

Half the cash spent by Aussies on sauvignon blanc is on wine from New Zealand. That means Aussies drink more Kiwi savvy blanc than Aussie-produced savvy. 

Wine lovers worldwide are being invited to celebrate New Zealand’s white wines this May, marking three international wine days with a global salute. 

The Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand campaign will see tasting and activations around the globe. 

Timed to coincide with International Sauvignon Blanc Day (May 1), International Pinot Gris Day (May 17) and International Chardonnay Day (May 21 ), the campaign aims to shine a light on New Zealand’s signature white wine styles. 

“New Zealand has built a global reputation for producing refreshing, expressive, high‑quality white wines,” says Charlotte Read, general manager brand (what does that even mean?), New Zealand Winegrowers. 

“From sauvignon blanc to pinot gris and chardonnay, these wines reflect both the diversity of our regions and a modern approach to winemaking.”

Wine lovers are encouraged to join the celebration using #pouryourselfaglassofNZ, #greatwhitewinetoast, #whitewineemoji and #nzwine as social media hashtags.

For more info see www.nzwine.com/en/trade/glassofnz

The campaign also builds awareness ahead of Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027, New Zealand’s flagship international wine event (February 2-4 2027). www.sauvignonnz.com.