United Airlines Introduces the Relax Row: Economy Seats That Convert into a Couch

United Airlines has announced the Relax Row, a new economy product that transforms a row of three seats into a flat, couch-like surface on long-haul international flights.

It's the first product of its kind from a North American carrier, and it's set to debut in 2027 across United's Boeing 787 and 777 fleets.

Air New Zealand has offered a similar concept called the Skycouch for years, so we have a good idea of what to expect on pricing.

What Is the Relax Row?

It's a simple concept. Three economy seats are fitted with individually adjustable leg rests that fold up at a 90-degree angle, while the middle and window armrests raise to create a continuous flat surface.

Picture a space large enough for two adults and a small child, or a solo traveller looking for a proper lie-flat sleep in economy.

Each Relax Row booking includes a custom-fitted mattress pad, a plush blanket, and two extra pillows. Families travelling with young children also receive a stuffed toy and a children's travel kit.

United's Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella framed it as filling a gap: "Customers traveling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort."

Aircraft and Routes

United plans to install the Relax Row on its Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft, with up to 12 Relax Row sections per plane (averaging around nine).

Expect it on long-haul international routes, including transatlantic, transpacific, and Latin American flights. Specific routes haven't been named yet.

By 2030, United expects to have the Relax Row installed across more than 200 widebody aircraft.

Air New Zealand Has Been Doing This for Over a Decade

United isn't inventing the concept. Air New Zealand has been offering a nearly identical product called the Economy Skycouch for over a decade on its long-haul 787 routes, and it gives us a useful preview of how the Relax Row might be priced.

I ran a quick search on Air New Zealand's website for a Vancouver (YVR)–Auckland (AKL) one-way on October 10, 2026 (a 13-hour, 50-minute flight on the 787-9) to see exactly what the premium looks like.

For a solo traveller, the cabin options break down as follows:

• Economy: CAD $1,856
• Premium Economy: CAD $3,891
• Business: CAD $6,531

After selecting economy, you're offered two upgrade options: Economy Stretch (extra legroom, $165) and the Skycouch (from $2,205 for a solo traveller buying the full three-seat row).

That brings the total for one passenger in a Skycouch to CAD $4,061.

Is It Worth It?

Solo Traveller: It Depends

For a solo traveller, the Skycouch at $4,061 is actually more expensive than Premium Economy at $3,891. On paper, that's a tough sell. You're paying more for a modified economy seat than a proper premium cabin with wider seats, better meals, and priority boarding.

But the Skycouch does offer something Premium Economy doesn't: the ability to actually lie down. Premium Economy seats recline further than economy, but you're still sitting upright for 13+ hours. If sleep is the priority, a flat surface wins.

How much you benefit depends on your size. Someone who's 5'5" can stretch out comfortably across the Skycouch. Someone who's 6'4" might find it more of a cramped curl than a restful sleep. Your mileage (quite literally) will vary.

Personally, I'd skip it solo. If I'm spending $4,000+, I'd rather save up for business class and get the full lie-flat experience with proper service. Otherwise, I'll tough it out in economy. Go hard or go home.

Couples: The Sweet Spot

With two passengers, the math changes dramatically. Two regular economy seats come to CAD $3,792, while the same pair in a Skycouch row costs CAD $4,815, a premium of just $1,023, or roughly $512 per person.

For a couple on a 14-hour overnight flight, an extra $512 each to share a flat surface with bedding is a much more reasonable proposition.

Parent with an Infant: Appealing, but Pricey

On most international flights, a lap infant (under two years old) flies for 10% of the adult fare with no seat required. On this same Vancouver (YVR)–Auckland (AKL) route, that works out to roughly $186 on top of the adult's economy ticket, bringing the total for one parent and a lap infant to around $2,042.

Add the Skycouch, and the picture changes significantly. Air New Zealand prices one adult plus one infant in a Skycouch at CAD $4,277. That's more than double the cost of regular economy with a lap infant.

A $2,235 premium for the couch surface. Air New Zealand does sweeten the deal by providing a free infant harness and an optional sleep pod, so your baby can lie flat and stay buckled even when the seatbelt sign is on. It's useful on overnight flights.

Still, the value depends entirely on how you weigh your sanity against your wallet. Any parent who's held a squirming toddler for 13 hours knows exactly what I mean. But at $4,277, it's hard not to glance at Premium Economy at $3,891 and wonder if that's the smarter play for a solo parent.

Where products like the Skycouch and the Relax Row really start to shine is with toddlers who've just aged out of lap infant eligibility. Once a child turns two, they need their own seat at full fare, and suddenly you're paying for three economy tickets anyway. At that point, the Skycouch premium to turn those three seats into a flat surface where your toddler can actually sleep becomes a much easier decision.

It also works well when two parents and an infant are travelling together. The per-person Skycouch premium drops to roughly $500 each, and the flat surface gives the baby a proper place to sleep without anyone holding them for the entire flight.

Can You Book It with Points?

United operates significant long-haul service from hubs that are easily accessible from Canadian cities. Travellers connecting through Newark, Chicago, or San Francisco on a 787 or 777 could have access to the Relax Row once it launches.

For points enthusiasts, the big question is whether the Relax Row will be bookable with MileagePlus miles, or available as an upgrade option for elite members. United hasn't shared those details yet.

Will Aeroplan members be able to select the Relax Row when booking United flights through Air Canada's program? Given United's status as a Star Alliance partner, it's a reasonable expectation, but nothing has been confirmed.

In the meantime, Canadians looking to earn MileagePlus miles directly now have a dedicated option with the recently launched United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard.

Conclusion

If I'm booking solo on a 14-hour overnight flight, I'd stick with economy and save the difference for a future business class redemption. But if my partner and I are flying together, I'd seriously consider the Relax Row at ~$500 each for a flat surface and proper bedding.

For parents with a toddler who needs their own seat? This might be the single best use of an extra few hundred dollars on a long-haul flight.

United hasn't announced pricing or award availability yet, but if it follows the Skycouch model, expect it to make the most sense for two or three travellers sharing a row. I'll be watching for booking details once the 2027 launch gets closer.