Its maker claims it’s just as comfortable as the beds passengers use at home.
Made by Simba Sleep, it uses sensors, memory foam and gyroscopic movement to ensure the best possible chance of slumber at 38,000ft.
The maker claims that the bed – called the Air-Hybrid – has been ‘engineered to identify and respond to nuanced body movements’.
It does this thanks to an array of technology.
The Air-Hybrid features a six-axis accelerometer, a gyroscope and it can monitor noise, temperature, light, humidity and air particles – and then make adjustments according to the results.
Simba said: ‘The design combines the brand’s pioneering mattress technology, featuring a unique fusion of 2,500 conical pocket springs and responsive memory foam layers, providing the ultimate comfort, support and heat regulation.
‘Gentle automatic adjustments recline the seat to a “zero g” position, closely simulating weightlessness – easing pressure on the back and spine whilst dissolving strain from the extremities. This allows blood to move freely through the body, improving circulation, which proves a common issue whilst flying.’
The bed also boasts an orange light-therapy system – orange wavelengths of light are most conducive to sleep – and can emit soothing scent infusions.
What's more, should passenger noise become intrusive, a built-in music system can be activated to block it out. And body temperature is kept at 65F, the optimum level for slumber.
Wales and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is one of the investors in this seat of the future and he’s now a Simba ‘sleep ambassador’.
His punishing footballing schedule has led to him becoming extremely interested in sleeping on planes, as in any one season he can fly to more than 35 games. He often travels back in the evening when he would usually be at home asleep, so his airborne 40 winks has become vital.
A lack of sleep can affect post-match recovery and preparation for the next match.
One effect of fatigue is an increase in levels of the hormone cortisol. This hormone heightens the risk of strains and tears and can impair an athlete's sense of limb positioning and perception of strength, which can cause injuries such as ankle sprains.
And research by Stanford University has shown that increased sleep can directly effect on-field performance.
Gareth Bale, Roger Federer and LeBron James have all become advocates for sleeping 10 hours per night, as it leads to nearly a 10 per cent increase in shot accuracy and improved sprint and reaction times.
Bale said: 'The more you can sleep the better you will feel and the better you will perform. I’ve spoken to a sleep expert and they have told me to always try to go to bed and wake up at a similar time every night and morning.
‘Getting this consistency becomes difficult when you’re flying back from away night matches. By putting their hybrid mattress technology into the Simba Air-Hybrid they’ve created a bed that is just as comfortable as my bed at home.'
James Cox, Simba co-founder, said: 'When we first met Gareth, he raised a challenge we hadn’t thought of – what happens when you need a good night’s sleep but you can’t get to your bed at home?
'The Simba Air-Hybrid is our solution – a design that is every bit as comfortable as the mattresses that our customers enjoy at home. The feedback to the prototype has been so positive that we’ve begun conversations with commercial and private airlines. We’ve also started to look at how our technology can be adapted for other modes of transport including trains.’
Simba Sleep is in talks with commercial and private airlines to roll out the Air-Hybrid internationally.
According to dailymail.co.uk
