United Airlines Adds Guaranteed Empty Middle Seat to Economy

United Airlines confirmed on Tuesday its plan to outfit its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft with a row of seats featuring a guaranteed empty middle seat. This "Eurobusiness" style offering will provide an upgraded experience for select Economy Plus passengers, granting them additional "elbow room" on longer flights. The airline expects these A321XLR jets, which will also include new Polaris business-class suites and a premium economy cabin, to begin service later this year. The decision to implement a "blocked middle seat" option follows United's exploration of the concept last month for the new long-range, single-aisle jet. United Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella stated in a release that the company is "investing nose-to-tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin." This new economy seating option will consist of a single row where passengers can book either a window or aisle seat, with the middle seat remaining unoccupied and covered by an additional tray table. The configuration is similar to the business-class cabins offered by European airlines on short-haul intra-Europe flights. United will position these seats as an enhanced version of its existing Economy Plus product, meaning they will also feature extra legroom.