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Every airline passenger that books in economy hopes for one thing – that the aircraft doors close and there’s no one sitting in the middle seat beside them.
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The middle seat has long been bemoaned by travellers, both those in the aisle and window seats that have to share an armrest or more with whoever is occupying the middle seat, and for those passengers stuck wedged in a middle seat between two others.
We’ve all been on flights where we’ve battled for elbow space or just been so squeezed because of a lack of room. It’s not that we’re being unsociable, but having that middle seat clear can really make or break a journey – especially when flying mid- to long-haul.
Luckily, solving that “middle seat dilemma” has become a growing focus for many airlines. This has prompted a number of carriers – including Wizz Air and Air France in Europe – to launch schemes where passengers can buy a neighbour-free seat or an entire row, for an additional fee.
Internationally, United is one of the airlines which is looking at innovations to make the future of flying more comfortable for passengers across all classes.
In March, the US carrier announced that its “Relax Row” would launch in 2027 and allow passengers in economy class to turn a row of three seats on some wider Boeing planes into a couch they can sleep or lounge on after takeoff.
This week, United has also announced plans to roll out its new offering in Economy Plus – a row of seats with no one in the middle spot, instead using the space for a shared table (and more elbow room) between the aisle and window passengers.
While it is only set to be available in one row on United’s 50 new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, the airline has suggested it could expand the no middle seat option to other planes down the road. United said that its Economy Plus seats with extra elbow room will be available for sale later this year for flights beginning soon after.
The move arrives amid a broader push from airlines advertising more and more special tiers and separate add-ons to their flights – particularly when it comes to courting passengers who are willing to pay more for comfort.
United is following in the footsteps of a handful of European airlines, including Lufthansa and Finnair, already offering empty middle seats to business class passengers.
Other carriers have also allowed travellers for years to pay extra or buy additional tickets to keep seats near them empty. United said that it expects to be “the only US airline” to have these kind of rows.
“We’re investing nose-to-tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin,” said Andrew Nocella, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
“The XLR is our newest aircraft and not only offers all-aisle access lie-flat seats in United Polaris but now also includes seats in Economy Plus with extra leg and elbow room. Our customers are going to love all these new options.”
Across carriers, passengers on the same flight can still have strikingly different travel experiences. And while there’s demand for roomier seats and other perks, some budget-conscious travellers may feel a widening gap between the back and front of the plane – or frustration over new fees for services that were once free and added tiers to juggle when comparing fares.
A handful of big-name airlines, like Delta, have embraced strategies to provide “the best” – not the cheapest – offerings.
Meanwhile, United executives have pushed back on the idea that the industry has become solely focused on chasing big spenders, maintaining that premium investments are part of a broader strategy to improve every traveller’s experience.
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