United Airlines announced a new seating arrangement on its Airbus A321XLRs that features an empty middle seat, allowing aisle and window-seat passengers to share a tray table. This option will be available for purchase later this year, although pricing details have not yet been disclosed. The initiative is part of a larger strategy among airlines to encourage customers to spend more on flights.
Recently, Delta Air Lines also introduced basic business-class and premium economy fares that exclude certain perks, such as lounge access and seat selection. Additionally, United plans to launch a 'Relax Row' on some wide-body planes, which consists of three economy seats that can convert into a bed.
This trend of enhancing premium-class offerings has been driven by a resilient demand for business-class travel, although it has also contributed to delays in the delivery of new aircraft due to the complexity of these seating arrangements