There is no greater feeling than hearing the words ‘boarding complete’ when you still have two empty economy seats next to you, aka poor man’s business class.
What was once an unexpected joy has become something you can pay for, with airlines cashing in on customers who will stump up the cash to keep adjacent seats empty.
Now, United Airlines has become the latest carrier to appeal to economy class customers who will pay extra for comfort but aren’t willing to upgrade to business or first with the launch of its “Relax Row”.
From 2027, passengers will be able to book out three adjacent economy seats, each of which comes with a leg rest that can be raised to create a lie-flat space. You’ll then be given a mattress pad to convert the area into a bed, alongside a blanket and two pillows (plus a plushie, if you’re travelling with kids).
You can book out the relax row as a single person, a couple, or a family of three, with up to 12 rows dedicated to the offering per aircraft.
By 2030, the United Relax Row will be available on more than 200 of the airline’s 787s and 777s.
Other airlines offering economy class ‘beds’
United isn’t the first airline to offer passengers the chance to book out an entire row in economy: That accolade goes to Air New Zealand, which launched its Skycouch back in 2011.
Available across some of its 777-300ER and 787-9 aircraft, customers who book the Skycouch are also given a seat liner, extra bedding, and different seat belt options so you can keep strapped in while lying down.
In Europe, Lufthansa offers the “Sleeper’s Row” on some of its long-haul flights that are longer than 11 hours. While travellers do receive a mattress topper, there are no flip-up leg rests to expand the space you have to lie down on.