My husband and I have very different needs when we fly (and no, this has nothing to do with the airport divorce I discussed recently).
In short, I need to be on the aisle, but he likes to curl up to snooze against the window wall.
So we purchase one aisle seat, one window seat, and then we pray that no one takes the middle.
I can't remember the last time a stranger didn't end up sitting between us. So we pretend we don't know each other for the entirety of the flight. If we need to communicate, we do what teenagers do: We text each other. It all feels mildly ridiculous.
Which is why I was slightly intrigued by United's announcement on Tuesday that, for a price, it will soon block off middle seats on some Economy Plus rows to give passengers more space.
A tray that is "permanently fixed, with a soft leather-like covering" and has two cup indentations will be affixed across the middle seat (see above), making it impossible for a third passenger to sit in the row.
The configuration will be offered on the airline's new Airbus A321XLR planes, which also has three more inches of legroom in Economy Plus compared to the company's other planes.
(These planes will have the option to book a Relax Row, a kind of lie-flat arrangement across a row seating, too.)
"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."
Oh are we going to love them, United?
That will all depend on the price, of course.
And the price, alas, has not yet been disclosed.
If it costs passengers about as much as simply buying an extra seat, what's the point? That would be one expensive tray table.
The cynic in me says these blocked middle seat rows will be overpriced for elbow room. I'm basing that assessment on the depressing cost of flying today.
But maybe I'll be proved wrong. We'll let you know once the prices are announced.