Don’t want to spring for the premium cabin on a long-haul flight but want make sure you can sleep?
Several airlines offer an economy section upgrade option that may help.
Air New Zealand has its Skycouch.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has it Couchii.
Lufthansa has its Sleeper’s Row.
And United Airlines recently introduced its ‘Relax Row,’ a set of Economy seats that turn into a couch.
Like ANZ’s Skycouch and ANA’s Couchii, the Relax Row is a row of three seats outfitted with adjustable leg rests that fold up at a 90-degree angle to create a flat surface.
United’s Relax Row is expected to launch in 2027 and be available on more than 200 Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft by 2030.
The seats will be located between United Economy and United Premium Plus, with 12 Relax Row sections on each plane.
ANZ ups the ante with flying bunk beds
Flying couches are one thing. But how about flying bunk beds?
Air New Zealand just introduced the Economy Skynest.
This is a sleeping section between the Economy and Premium Economy section with six lie-flat pods set up in a bunk bed-style.
The bunks will be available for four-hour sessions for $495 per session and offered on ANZ’s 16-hour flights between New York and Auckland on the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Two four-hour sleeping sessions will be available each flight and will bookable by economy or premium economy passengers.
The lie-flat beds in the Skynest will have a seatbelt and soft mattress, with fresh pillows, sheets and blankets for each session. The pods will also have USB outlets, reading lights, ventilation and privacy curatins.
No word yet on how loud snorers will be dealt with.
Booking opens May 18, 2026 for flights starting in November 2026.
