What is a lie-flat seat?

A business class seat that turns into a fully flat bed, 180 degrees, so you can sleep lying down on a night flight.

Lie-flat seat, explained

Most long-haul business class seats now become fully flat beds. The seat slides and reclines until it is level, and many airlines add a mattress pad, pillow and blanket.

The length of the bed and the width at the shoulders and feet vary by seat model. Some seats leave the feet in a narrow space under the seat ahead, called a footwell.

Older or shorter-haul business class seats may only recline part way or lie flat at an angle, which is less comfortable for sleeping.

On a business class trip

On an overnight flight from the US to Europe, a lie-flat seat lets you sleep for a few hours and arrive able to start the day.

Related terms

Angled lie-flat seat
A seat that reclines to a long flat surface tilted at an angle, not level, so you tend to slide down it while sleeping.
Direct aisle access
A seat layout where every business class seat opens onto the aisle, so no one climbs over a neighbor.
Business class suite
A business class seat with a door or high walls that close it off from the aisle, for more privacy.
Premium economy
A cabin between economy and business class: a wider seat with more legroom and recline, but no bed.
Red-eye flight
A flight that leaves late in the evening and lands early the next morning, so most of it is flown at night.