Air New Zealand’s innovative “Skycouch” set the trend with rare and unique lie-flat seating in the economy cabin. Depending on the route and timing of purchase, “Skycouches” may be cheaper than premium economy seating which offers more space and food options but doesn’t lie flat.
With growing popularity, Air New Zealand has since licensed the economy lie-flat seating to other airlines like France’s Air Austral and Azul Brazilian Airways. With a similar concept in mind, German carrier Lufthansa offers a “Sleeper Row” for a fee which is added to the base airfare.
The concept is so simple that it’s reminiscent of being that fortunate economy passenger with a vacant row on an empty flight. The significant difference is that the row of coach seats have leg rests that flip up to 90 degrees to create a larger flat space. The “Skycouch” is reserved for those who book it, regardless of the number of passengers on the flight.
The sleeping area is five feet and one inch long and 29 inches wide so while it is a lesser space compared to what you would find in a business-class sleeper, it’s also substantially less expensive than a business or first-class ticket.
Since the Skycouch’s introduction, other carriers have implemented the design with a variety of comparable monikers. In 2014, Taiwan’s China Airlines debuted the “Family Couch,” followed by the “Skysofa” unveiled by Azul Brazilian Airlines, and more recently in 2019, the “COUCHii” on Ali Nippon Airways’ route from Tokyo to Honolulu.
Not all economy couches have endured the ever-changing demands of air travelers. China Airlines ended up ditching the design in 2018 after only four years, due to lack of popularity.
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