August 30, 2026, 1:49 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
An empty seat next to your own can feel like a small luxury on long flights. Many travelers wonder if they can simply use the free row to rest. However tempting additional seats may be, you shouldn’t spread out without consulting the cabin crew.
Free Neighboring Seats Are Not an Automatic Extra
If seats in a row remain unoccupied, the idea of lying across them quickly arises. However, passengers do not have a right to do so. The booked ticket generally only entitles you to use your own seat.
According to the German Aviation Association (BDL), using free neighboring seats is not generally prohibited. Whether travelers can use additional seats is ultimately decided by the onboard staff.
This rule also applies to Lufthansa. As a spokesperson for the airline explains, the use of free seats must be coordinated with the cabin crew beforehand. The crew makes the decision based on the situation on board. One reason is that free seats may be needed for operational reasons during the flight, such as when other passengers need to be relocated.
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What to Consider When Lying Down on Board
During taxiing, takeoff, and landing, passengers are not allowed to stretch out across multiple seats. In these phases of the flight, all passengers must sit upright and be buckled in.
In Economy Class, according to Lufthansa, an upright and buckled seating position must be maintained at all times during turbulence. This is due to the seat certification requirements.
If lying down is permitted, neither the head nor feet may protrude into the aisle. If you want to place your feet on the seat, you should remove your shoes unless a special footrest is provided.
Entire Rows Can Be Booked with Some Airlines
If you don’t want to rely on free seats and crew approval, you can reserve entire rows with some airlines. On selected long-haul flights, you can book three or four seats next to each other in Economy Class.
Depending on the airline, this usually includes additional amenities such as a seat row cover, pillows, and a blanket. Some airlines also provide special seatbelt systems designed for lying down.
Lufthansa offers this concept under the name “Sleeper’s Row.” At Air New Zealand, it’s called “Skycouch,” at Vietnam Airlines “Sky Sofa,” and at All Nippon Airways “Couchii.” United plans to introduce the “United Relax Row” in 2027.
The costs for such offers vary significantly depending on the airline and booking time. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to compare prices with other travel classes or comfort options, such as Economy Plus, Business Class, or First Class, which also offer extended lying or resting options.
With material from dpa