Lie-flat sleeping pods welcomed on Northern Isles Ferries

New lie-flat sleeping pods installed on overnight ferries between Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland are proving a hit - selling out on the first night they were open to the public. The upgrade by Serco NorthLink Ferries replaced 30 sleeping pods which only partially reclined with 18 electronically-powered seats that convert into fully-flat beds. The move follows years of passenger complaints about cabin capacity, affordability and safety concerns over potentially driving while still tired. Susan Taylor, who lives in Orkney and frequently uses the ferry, was one of the first customers to use the new pods and said they made a "massive difference". Previously, passengers unable to book a cabin could choose between traditional pods which did not go completely flat, a reclining chair, or sleeping in the vessel's public areas - sometimes including on the floor. Last year, Transport Scotland asked islanders what they wanted to see from the new Northern Isles ferry services contract. The consultation found that some passengers felt reclining seats did not provide adequate rest on the long overnight journeys. Taylor said getting a decent night's sleep was "massively important". "I'd never used