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United Airlines Will Soon Let You Take Over the Middle Seat, for a Price
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- United Airlines will offer Economy Plus passengers the option to block the middle seat for extra elbow and legroom on its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, featuring a shared fixed table between aisle and window seats.
- This seating option, debuting on domestic flights this fall with international service next year, aims to enhance passenger comfort and provide more choice, with pricing yet to be announced.
- Industry analysts suggest the move may also help United reduce operational costs by potentially requiring fewer flight attendants on these planes.
- The new seating arrangement resembles the "Eurobusiness class" style common on European single-aisle flights, where middle seats in business class are often blocked.
- United previously introduced the Relax Row product, converting three economy seats into a lie-flat space for long-haul international flights, expected to launch in 2027.
