United Airlines just announced it will add a couch-style “Relax Row” on its entire fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets and on many 777 as well, an unanticipated announcement during a media day at Los Angeles International Airport.
“Relax Row” To Debut On United Airlines 787, 777, Offering Lie-Flat Couch In Economy Class
Earlier today, I covered several announcements including new A321neo Coastliner aircraft, A321XLR, and the new CRJ450. But in a Steve Jobs moments, Andrew Nocella, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, wrapped up his presentation on United’s latest innovation with a “one more thing” announcement.
Playing a short video, United announced it will debut a new seat feature in economy class similar to the Air New Zealand “Sky Couch” in which a row of three economy class seats can be transformed into a bed.
Each aircraft will have up to 12 “Relax Rows” which will be rolled out across the 787 and much of the 777 fleet, with plans to offer this on over 200 aircraft. The United Relax Row is expected to launch in 2027, and the airline plans to offer it on more than 200 Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft by 2030.
Here’s part of a video that played during Nocella’s presentation:
Nocella said:
“As a leading premium airline, we’re committed to delivering new, industry-leading experiences for all of our customers – and the United Relax Row is the perfect example of that. Customers traveling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them. United is the only North American airline offering a product like the United Relax Row and is one of the many reasons why we’re continuing to win brand loyal customers.”
This will not be a separate cabin of service, but will instead be part of the economy class cabin. Passengers in these rows will receive a mattress pad, blanket, and two pillows.
United just posted this update:
It looks like a nice upgrade and is part of United’s continuing effort to offer a variety of cabin service to meet every need:
YESS!!! ANZ SKYCOUCH!!!!
HECK YA, WE FLY THERE!!
They went a little heavy with the AI on that picture. Someone is sticking their hand in the other person’s sweater, but I can’t tell who. Her face is pushed up against her partner’s face, and he seems completely unbothered by it as he seems to really be enjoying the IFE. Also, either her torso has become separated from her body, or her lower half is, as the kids say, very thicc. Also, what’s up with the bell bottoms she’s wearing?
Uhh…. not so sure he’s enjoying UA’s IFE, but rather …. ahem … somethin’ else ? … . Poor girl is gonna have a bad cramp in her neck on that long haul flight ! ….lol
An ingenious idea… This is simply United’s latest initiative to make family travel easier.
The concept is a first for a North American airline… Well done UA!
It is about time a US airline rolled this out. It will be interesting to see if UA prices it similarly to how NZ does where passenger have to pay a fee up to $2,000 dollars each way to use sky couch which in most cases is cheaper than actually purchasing all 3 seats.
With this feature not rolling out until sometime in 2027 I wish UA would have kept this under wraps especially seeing they could have just given Delta something to think about as an added feature on their upcoming A350-1000s deliveries don’t start until 2027 as well.
DL management must naturally be very pleased that the company will be the only U.S. airline to fly the Airbus A350-1000.
I’m probably never going to be in Y on long routes again, absent an involuntary downgrade, so my potential concern won’t affect me. But, in my many years of flying international Y, I would (most unsuccessfully) try to sleep. Of course, I’d fully recline. I see these sleeper cell (my suggested term) folks thinking, more than ever before, I have no right to “take their space” and be @sshats about it.
“Sleeper Cell” might not be the best term to use on a commercial airliner these days …. Suggest it be filed with the
‘B-word” ! … lol
Better enjoy sleeping in that tucked leg position. Will be good for a bit, but your legs are going to get mad at you fairly quickly if you won’t let them stretch out.
I can’t see how this will work with sudden turbulence. How can two people or a parent with two children be easily seat-belted? It might be comfortable for one person but annoyingly cramped for two.
Also, in order to make this work the folks in the row in front of you would basically have to keep their seats in the upright position…… or maybe these folks that have paid more for this small “bedroom” accomodation will just have to hope the row in front of them is not occupied ???….. Just more complaints in the making. Who thinks of these things without any of the pros and cons ????
There is no way I’m flying long haul in Y and not reclining. even if the people have a bed behind me. Tough luck. Actually their IFE might be at a better angle for viewing while spred out.
NZ has special belts for adults and kids. I assume these will, too.
“Air New Zealand’s Skycouch seats, which feature leg rests that lift to create a flat, couch-like surface, use specialized seat belts for safety while lying down. Passengers are provided a “cuddle belt” harness and loop belts that allow them to remain securely fastened while in bed mode, even during turbulence.”
Is this an early April fools joke
Nope.
Welcome to the new “Mile high Club.
We all know what will happen. You will pay for 3 seats for two people so you can use the couch. Then the airline will stick a third person in the third seat, but not refund what you previously paid.
Yes, airlines are known for selling a person a second seat (because of size or to transport an instrument) and then taking it back when needed for a pax. I doubt, though, this will happen fir this product.
Great idea, but I’ll be curious to see the pricing. So happy to see one of the airlines address the gap between paying for an international coach seat cost compared to a business class seat.
Like premium economy?
I’d be interested to know the price of this service