United Airlines ruins a sneaky travel secret beloved by savvy flyers but it might just make your flight better

United Airlines is introducing a new seating option that could end of one of air travel’s favorite little hacks: Couples who strategically chose seats in the hope that the middle seat stays empty.

The carrier unveiled a revamped version of its ‘Economy Plus’ seating for its upcoming Airbus A321XLR aircraft, and it includes rows where the middle seat is permanently replaced with a shared table. 

Instead of squeezing three passengers into the row, travelers who book the window and aisle seats will have some extra elbow room for an added cost that before now sneaky passengers were able to avoid.

For years, savvy flyers relied on a simple trick to make economy flights for two more comfortable: Booking only the window and aisle seats in the hopes that no one would take the middle seat.

When it worked, couples snagged an entire extra seat without paying extra.

United’s latest move turns that coveted perk into an added cost.

The airline says its redesigned Economy Plus row is intended to give passengers ‘extra space to stretch out’ on longer journeys.

The permanently installed center table stretches from armrest to armrest and includes two cup holders, while Economy Plus passengers also receive an additional three inches of legroom compared with standard economy. 

The new layout will debut on United’s Airbus A321XLR fleet, which should be available for domestic service later this year before expanding to international routes in 2027. 

Tickets featuring the new seating option are expected to go on sale later this year. 

‘We’re investing nose-to-tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin,’ United Airlines said in a statement.

‘The XLR is our newest aircraft and not only offers all-aisle access lie-flat seats in United Polaris [business class] but now also includes seats in Economy Plus with extra leg and elbow room,’ the statement continues. ‘Our customers are going to love all these new options.’

Online, customers shared that this ‘innovation’ is already common practice overseas, with the similar seating arrangement known as ‘Eurobusiness.’ 

Eurobusiness is standard short-haul business class for airlines Air France and British Airways, although United is instead choosing to label it as ‘Economy Plus.’

‘You more or less split the cost of the empty seat with your neighbor, but it is still a money saver over First Class,’ one Reddit user explain, while another added, ‘they have been doing this in Brazil for a while now.’

‘I want Eurobusiness deployed to more airlines in the US,’ another social media user said. ‘I don’t care at all about extra leg room, but this solves the passenger spillover issue I encounter.’

This added seating option is just one of several changes coming to United’s flights.

In March, the airline unveiled the United Relax RowSM, a new United Economy seating option where multiple seats convert into a flat sofa, complete with a blanket and extra pillows. 

The carrier is the first among North American airlines to offer the unique seating concept, which will be rolled out in 2027.

‘Customers travelling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them,’ United said at the time. 

‘United is the only North American airline offering a product like the United Relax Row and is one of the many reasons why we’re continuing to win brand loyal customers.’

United remains one of the world’s biggest airline carriers, flying 175 million people to more than 350 destinations across six continents.