United Airlines Is Bringing Lie-Flat ‘Couch’ Seating to the Economy Cabin

United Airlines on Tuesday announced a new seating option, United Relax Row, for long-haul flights. The configuration allows three economy seats to transform into a couch, offering a flat surface for passengers to sleep or stretch out.

The concept, a first for a North American airline, was popularized by Air New Zealand with its “Skycouch” concept that debuted on that airline’s Boeing 777-300ER in 2011. United now owns North American exclusivity for the concept.

The rows will be positioned between the United Economy and United Premium Plus cabins.

Passengers booking these seats will receive a custom-fitted mattress pad, extra pillows, and blankets, with each row being transformed after takeoff into as close to a couch as you can get in economy. United said on Tuesday that the design is geared toward families traveling with small children, solo travelers, and couples who seek the value of economy seating with “a little extra comfort.”

United hasn’t unveiled pricing or ticketing details yet, but it’s likely that guests book a standard Economy ticket first and then “upgrade” to the Relax Row during seat selection. Air New Zealand’s version, for instance, would have a solo traveler buy out the remaining two seats in the row, or a couple buy out the remaining one seat, and then pay a fee to move into a Skycouch.

United’s version is scheduled to launch in 2027. United plans to roll out the configuration to more than 200 of its Boeing 787 and 777 wide-body aircraft by 2030, with each jet offering up to 12 Relax Rows.

“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,” said Andrew Nocella, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.