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United Airlines has just unveiled the Relax Row: a row of three seats in economy class that transforms into a sofa-bed after takeoff. The product, inspired by Air New Zealand’s Skycouch, will be available starting in 2027 on the airline’s Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. For Canadian travelers departing from Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver, this is an option that deserves attention. Especially considering that Air Canada offers nothing equivalent in economy.
Here is everything we know about the United Airlines Relax Row, how it works, its estimated price, and how Canadians can take advantage of it via Aeroplan and the Star Alliance.
The concept is simple: three side-by-side economy seats with footrests that lift to 90 degrees to create a flat surface. United provides a fitted mattress, an oversized blanket, and two pillows to transform the row into a rest area. Families also receive a plush toy and a travel kit for children.
The surface measures approximately 51 inches (4 feet 3 inches) long. This is enough for a child to lie down completely, or for an adult to curl up comfortably. However, do not expect a true flat bed if you are taller than 5 feet 6 inches.
Relax Row rows will be positioned between the United Premium Plus cabin and standard economy class. Each aircraft will have up to 12. On average, there will be 9 rows per aircraft once the rollout is complete.
The rollout will begin on new aircraft and those currently undergoing reconfiguration. Transatlantic and transpacific routes will be served as a priority, which includes flights from United’s Canadian hubs.
United operates direct flights from Montreal (YUL), Toronto (YYZ), and Vancouver (YVR) to several long-haul destinations. These routes often pass through hubs in Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), or Houston (IAH) before continuing to Europe, Asia, or South America.
Concretely, a traveler flying YUL–EWR–London or YYZ–ORD–Tokyo could reserve a Relax Row on the long-haul segment. It is on these 7 to 14-hour portions that the product makes the most sense.
Air Canada offers its Signature Class, Premium Economy, and standard economy class. But no intermediate product allows economy seats to be transformed into a sleeping surface. For Canadian families traveling in economy on long flights, United’s Relax Row becomes a concrete alternative to consider.
Furthermore, both airlines are part of Star Alliance. Canadians who accumulate Aeroplan points can already book United flights via Aeroplan. The question is whether the Relax Row supplement will be bookable with points.
United Airlines has not yet communicated the pricing details for the Relax Row. However, we can anticipate several scenarios for Aeroplan points holders.
United has not published a price list. However, we can use Air New Zealand’s Skycouch as a basis to estimate the cost.
If United follows a similar model, the supplement for a Relax Row on a transatlantic flight from Canada could be between $800 and $1,500 CAD. This is significantly cheaper than a ticket in United Airlines Premium Plus, which often costs $2,000 to $3,500 CAD more than an economy ticket.
This is the primary target audience. A child aged 3 to 8 can lie down completely on the 51-inch surface. The mattress, blanket, and plush toy are designed for them. For a family of three (two parents, one child), the Relax Row offers a rest area that standard economy class cannot match.
On an overnight flight YYZ–London or YVR–Tokyo, two people can share the Relax Row space alternately. One passenger rests while the other uses their seat normally. It is an interesting compromise between economy and Premium Plus.
A solo traveler could also book a Relax Row, but the cost will likely be higher proportionally. On Air New Zealand’s Skycouch, booking the entire row for one person costs about triple the price of an economy seat.
The Relax Row is directly inspired by Air New Zealand’s Skycouch, in service since 2011. Here is how the two products compare.
The main advantage of the Relax Row for Canadians: access. Air New Zealand flights departing from Canada must go through Los Angeles or San Francisco. United flights, however, are accessible from several Canadian cities with a single layover. Additionally, the Star Alliance connection facilitates the accumulation and use of Aeroplan points.
Canadians planning to fly with United should accumulate Aeroplan points. Here are the most relevant cards to maximize this strategy.
Consult our comparison of the best Aeroplan credit cards to find the one that matches your spending profile. You can also explore our best travel credit cards for an overview.
Also note that a United MileagePlus credit card will be launched in the spring of 2026 in Canada.
The United Airlines Relax Row is the first economy couch seats type product offered by a North American airline. For Canadians, it is an interesting alternative on long-haul flights via United’s hubs, especially for families with young children.
Pricing and booking details are not yet known. But the fact that United is part of Star Alliance opens the door to combined use with Aeroplan. We will closely follow the announcement of prices and points booking options. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates as soon as they are available.
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