One of the most annoying parts about long flights is getting comfortable enough to fall asleep. As someone who travels frequently, I can personally attest to this. Unless you’re flying Coach, you can basically kiss your beauty rest goodbye. United Airlines is looking for a way to make flying economy more comfortable. Introducing United Relax Row, a new seating option that lets economy passengers convert their row into a makeshift bed. This makes United the first North American airline to offer economy lie-flat seats.
Lie-back seating is something we can definitely get behind. It seems much more comfortable than propping your head against the window or leaning forward on the tray table. The new economy seating option will be available in 2027. It is designed for solo travelers, couples, and families with young children. The video above shows exactly how it works. First, the leg rests fold up to create a makeshift bed. Travelers can then add a fitted mattress pad and extra pillows for added comfort. United will offer twelve Relax Row sections for each flight the seating option is available on. They will sit between United Economy and United Premium Plus.
Glimpsing past the glittering camouflage of comfort, I do have just one concern. How many people can people can comfortably fit in one row? Pessimistically, I would say no more than one adult or one parent and a child. Definitely not three people, unless you want to get reallyyy cozy. I raise this question because it directly correlates with price. Whether you’re a solo traveler or a mom with two small children, you’re paying for the whole row. It’s something to consider when juggling how much you’re willing to spend in the name of comfort. This Instagram video breaks it down a little more.
As you can see, the economy Relax Row is really not that spacious when you lie down. It all depends how much you’re willing to spend for comfort. I imagine tons of people out there would pay a pretty penny for a good night’s rest. It does seem like a pretty relaxing way to fly, especially for long international flights. But whether it’s worth the cost is up to you. The United Relax Row will arrive sometime in 2027.