Some airlines are turning economy seats into beds on select flights at a surprisingly affordable price.
Airlines make a big deal about the comfort their lie-flat seats provide to business and first-class customers. It’s unusual today to find an airline that doesn’t offer 180-degree recline, fully-flat seats in their business and first-class cabins on long-haul flights.
Now some airlines are experimenting with bringing the idea to the back of the plane by offering a row of seats that can be made into a bed.
For example, Lufthansa is offering a “Sleeper’s Row” on its 747-8 night flights between Frankfurt and Sao Paulo. If all goes well, the option could be available across Lufthansa’s entire long-haul fleet.
Sleeper’s Row isn’t a new type of seat. Instead, Lufthansa is giving passengers the opportunity to pay extra to reserve three or four seats in a row, which will allow them to stretch out without a seatmate intruding.
The new concept comes with extra perks, too. In addition to the row of seats, Lufthansa provides a mattress, pillows, and a blanket (taken from business class, so you know it’s decent), making it easier for passengers in Sleeper’s Row to convert their seats into a bed. Sleeper’s Row passengers can also board earlier than the rest of economy so they’ll have time to set up their bed.
Cost? Around $350, although there’s talk of deals available at the check-in counter, depending on flight density.
Lufthansa isn’t alone in this idea. Air New Zealand began offering “Skycouch several years ago. Think sofa bed in the air: a row of three economy seats that one or two people could book. When fully configured, the seats are completely horizontal
Now the airline is going one step better. Earlier this year Air New Zealand unveiled Economy Skynest, a sleep pod with six full-length lie-flat sleep areas that will be in the back of the plane. The pods will be 6.5 feet long and 22 inches wide and come with pillows, blankets, and privacy curtains to make for the best sleeping conditions possible. Prices not yet announced.
Twist’s Take: Don’t want to book a lie-flat seat in Business or First Class on your next long-haul flight? Check out airlines that offer a sleep option in economy.
