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Let's be clear. It is a long (long!) way from Cape Town to New York. Flying direct on United Airlines, you'll cover almost 13 000 kilometres on a flight that takes nearly 16 hours. it's one of the longest routes on United's huge network. I've done it twice, and can attest to the fact that by the end you'll be about ready to sell a kidney if it'll get you bumped up to the Polaris business class for the flight home.
But those long-haul economy flights from Cape Town to the US of A might be about to get a little more enjoyable. This week, US-based carrier United Airlines unveiled the new United Relax Row, a three-seat economy setup that converts into a couch-style space after take-off. It’s aimed at families with small children and couples travelling together, but solo travellers with deep pockets who want a bit more room could also sign up.
The concept is pretty simple.
A dedicated row of three United Economy seats uses adjustable leg rests that fold out to create a flatter, mattress-like surface for stretching out, sleeping, or at least making a long-haul binge-watch feel a bit more civilised. Just don’t think you can use it to Netflix and chill, OK?
Passengers booked into the Relax Row will get a custom-fitted mattress pad, specially sized blankets and extra pillows, while families will receive child-focused extras including a plush toy and travel kit. The new section will sit between standard economy and United Premium Plus.
The Relax Row isn’t exactly groundbreaking. Air New Zealand already offers its Economy Skycouch, which converts a row of three economy seats into a couch-style space on its 777 and 787-9 aircraft, while Lufthansa’s Sleeper’s Row gives passengers on selected long-haul flights an entire economy row, plus a mattress topper, pillow and blanket.
What makes United’s move worth watching isn’t just the idea itself, but the scale: United says the product will launch in 2027 and roll out across more than 200 Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft by 2030, with up to 12 Relax Row sections per plane.
While United hasn’t specifically confirmed that the product will be coming to Cape Town, the airline flies a Boeing 787 into the Mother City, so chances are good that your high-flying couch will be landing here from next year.
United also hasn’t announced pricing, but expect to pay a solid premium for the extra space.
Lufthansa’s Sleeper’s Row carries a surcharge of €169 to €249 per long-haul segment – that’s on top of the actual ticket fare – while Air New Zealand’s Skycouch pricing is more variable. Passengers typically pay their normal economy fare, plus a Skycouch supplement, which ranges from $100 to $1400, depending on how many people are sharing the space. There’s a good chance United will follow a similar approach, of the fare plus a Relax Row surcharge.
With the direct flight from Cape Town to Newark Liberty International taking just shy of 16 hours, direct, that Relax Row is going to look pretty tempting. If you’re flying with kids who could really do with a proper sleep, or you can’t afford the bump to Premium Plus or Polaris Business Class, this high-flying stretch might be worth the splurge.
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