Lufthansa expanding lie-flat economy Sleeper Row seat to more flights

Editors note: This story has been updated with new information

Following a successful trial on Lufthansa's Frankfurt (FRA) - Sao Paolo (GRU) route in 2020, the airline will offer the "Sleeper's Row" booking option on select long-distance flights, which allows passengers to purchase an entire row of seats to make a flat bed for an additional charge.

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The surcharge ranges between 159 and 229 euros ($189 to $271), so it's substantially cheaper than booking three or four seats at normal prices. In a statement, the airline calls the Sleeper's Row a way to diversify its Economy Class offerings "to meet passengers' wishes for more comfort and individuality."

This travel option is only going to be available on certain Lufthansa routes that go 11 hours or longer from August 2, such as flights to Singapore, Los Angeles and to Sao Paolo, as well as other flights to Central America and Southern Africa.

Whether you want to sprawl out in luxury for less, or are just eager to secure more personal space the next time you fly, the so-called Sleeper's Row lets you book three or even four adjacent seats in a single row.

In addition to all that extra space (and the peace of mind knowing you won't have any seatmates to contend with), travelers who book Sleeper's Row will get a few business-class perks: a premium pillow, topper and blanket, plus priority boarding.

That's not an insignificant step up from Air New Zealand's Skycouch experience, which is only every three seats and doesn't include priority boarding.

Related: Business class lite: Review of Air New Zealand’s Skycouch from Auckland to Houston

Note that you can't book the Sleeper's Row in advance. Travellers can only reserve the block of seats at check-in or at the gate, because the option will only be available if there are enough empty seats on the aircraft to justify it. Also, the airline will only offer a maximum of three Sleeper's Rows per flight. In other words, this isn't an option you can plan for. You just have to show up at the airport, inquire and determine if being able to stretch out is worth an extra fee.

Passengers over six feet tall should be aware that the rows being offered for these economy beds are three or four seats. Considering the seats on a Lufthansa 747 are about 17" wide, booking a Sleeper's Row will be a tight fit.

Even for the vertically-challenged, the three-seat option won't exactly mean you can fully stretch out.

Related: Ultimate guide to earning and redeeming Lufthansa Miles & More miles

Additional reporting by Mike Avila