United Airlines wants to attract more travelers with a new way to fly more comfortably: an empty middle seat. The Chicago-based company announced the plan on July 14, 2026. It will add a new row of its "Economy Plus" seats with no one in the middle. Instead, there will be a shared table, giving the window and aisle passengers more space. At first, the option will be available in only one row on the company's new aircraft model, the Airbus A321XLR. The price will be revealed later in 2026, and United may bring the option to other planes in the future.

People have disliked the middle seat for a long time, so the idea may become popular. United said it expects to be the only U.S. airline with this kind of seating. Some European carriers, such as Lufthansa and Finnair, already offer an empty middle seat to business-class travelers.

The change is part of a larger trend. Airlines are adding more special seats and services for customers who will pay extra to be more comfortable. Andrew Nocella, a senior United executive, said the airline is investing in all of its planes. However, some travelers are unhappy because the gap between cheaper and more expensive seats is getting bigger.