United's New "Relax Row" Is a Good Idea — Air New Zealand Has Been Doing It Since 2011
United's new Relax Row converts economy seats into a lie-flat space on long-haul flights. Air New Zealand has done this since 2011. Here's the comparison.
United's New "Relax Row" Is a Good Idea — Air New Zealand Has Been Doing It Since 2011
United Airlines announced yesterday a new economy product called the United Relax Row: a dedicated row of three seats on long-haul widebody flights where the leg rests fold up at a 90-degree angle after takeoff, converting the row into a lie-flat sleeping space. United is marketing it as a first for North American airlines and says it holds North American exclusivity on the design.
It's worth noting that Air New Zealand has offered the same basic concept — under the name Skycouch — since 2011. The execution is similar enough that the comparison is unavoidable. For travelers weighing whether this is a product worth seeking out, the Air New Zealand experience provides a useful preview of what United is building toward.
What United Is Announcing
The Relax Row launches in 2027 on Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft, with United planning to offer it on more than 200 aircraft by 2030. Each plane will have up to 12 Relax Row sections, positioned between United Economy and United Premium Plus. The seats fold via adjustable leg rests to a 90-degree angle, creating a flat surface across the three-seat row. United is including a custom-fitted mattress pad, specially sized blankets, extra pillows, and a stuffed plush and Children's Travel Kit for families traveling with young children.
Image via United Newsroom
United is pitching the product at families with small children, couples, and solo travelers who want the value of economy with a more comfortable sleep option on overnight and long-haul international flights.
Pricing hasn't been announced. Availability and booking mechanics are to come as the 2027 launch approaches.
What the Air New Zealand Skycouch Already Is
Air New Zealand introduced the Skycouch in 2011 on its 777-300ER fleet, later extending it to the 787-9. The mechanism is the same as United's Relax Row: standard economy seats with individual leg rests that fold up fully to create a lie-flat platform across the row. When fully extended, the Skycouch measures 1.55 meters (5ft 1") long and 74 centimeters (29") wide. Air New Zealand provides a mattress liner, blankets, and larger pillows alongside special seatbelts designed for sleeping, including infant-specific harnesses and an optional infant pod for parents traveling with babies.
Image via Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand introduced the Economy Skycouch back in 2011 and went on to sell the licensing rights to a number of other carriers, including China Airlines and Azul. The product has been on long-haul routes between New Zealand and North America, Asia, and the UK for over a decade. Reviews from passengers who have used it are consistently positive, particularly for families and solo travelers. The recurring caveat: at 5ft 1" long, two full-sized adults lying flat simultaneously is a tight fit. One adult stretched out, or a parent with a young child, works much better.
What the Skycouch doesn't include is any cabin upgrade in terms of service. You're still in economy class, eating economy meals, with no lounge access or priority boarding. The lie-flat space is the entire value proposition.
What's Different About United's Version
United hasn't released dimensions yet, so a direct size comparison isn't possible. What is different is the amenity package: the mattress pad and custom-sized bedding suggest United is putting more thought into the product. A sometimes frequent criticism of the Skycouch is that the hard seat base could use additional padding. If United ships the Relax Row with a meaningful mattress pad rather than a thin seat cover, that's a genuine improvement on the concept.
The placement between Economy and Premium Plus is also notable. Depending on how United prices it, the Relax Row could position itself as an alternative to Premium Plus for passengers whose primary goal is sleep rather than upgraded meals and service.
The announcement is part of a much larger United fleet and product push. United expects to take delivery of more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028 — the most by any airline in a two-year period, including the new A321neo Coastliner subfleet with lie-flat Polaris seats for domestic transcontinental routes, the 787-9 with the Elevated interior featuring the new Polaris Studio suite, and the CRJ450 premium regional jet. The Relax Row is one piece of a broad product expansion across every cabin.
My Honest Take
The Skycouch has been a proven, well-reviewed product on Air New Zealand for 14 years. United importing the concept and claiming North American exclusivity on a specific leg rest design is a nice development, but doesn't feel ground breaking. I'm genuinely curious where the pricing falls.
The concept is sound but pricing details will determine whether it's worth seeking out over Premium Economy or other products.