It can be hard to get comfy on a flight, particularly if you’re stuck in the middle seat, but now an airline has introduced an innovative hack where passengers can bag more space
Passengers flying with the airline will be able to benefit from extra elbow room (Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
An airline is embracing a nifty way to provide economy passengers with extra elbow room on flights, without having to pay for a Business Class or First Class ticket.
We’ve all been there, self-consciously taking it in turns with the traveller next to us on the plane on who rests their elbow on the armrest, while the other awkwardly tries to get comfy. Not to mention the nuisance of being sat in the middle seat, which can feel somewhat cramped, particularly on those long-haul flights.
In a bid to make plane journeys more comfortable for customers, United Airlines is launching new economy plus seats with extra elbow room. Not only will passengers benefit from extra armroom, but they can also enjoy a shared table that is fixed across an open middle seat in this innovative design.
The airline confirmed that all 50 of its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft will include the ‘special row in Economy Plus’ where open middle seats are “repurposed as shared spaces with large custom tables”. The new seats will be available to book later this year, with flights departing shortly after.
United outlined that on each of its XLRs, one row will have a large, permanently fixed table that spans both armrests in the middle seats. It will have a “soft leather-like covering” and two cup holders, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the extra space from either a window or aisle seat, in addition to the extra three-inch legroom provided in Economy Plus on the XLR.
United is thought to be the only US airline that will offer these alternative seating arrangements, allowing passengers to benefit from the space without forking out for Business or First Class tickets. As a first for the airline, there’s hope that they could introduce these types of seats on more of its aircraft in the future.
The new seats come shortly after United announced plans to launch a dedicated row of three economy seats that transform into a “lie-flat mattress-like space”. They confirmed in March this year that the ‘United Relax Row’ would be individually adjustable, with leg rests that fold up to a 90-degree angle, so travellers can either stretch out or use them as a bed to catch a restful night’s sleep.
Passengers will be treated to a “custom-fitted mattress pad, specially sized blankets, extra pillows” as the seats adjust into a flat bed after takeoff. Meanwhile, children in the dedicated row will also receive a plush toy and a family travel kit as additional amenities.
Following the airline updates, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Nocella, commented: “We’re investing nose-to-tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin.
“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.”
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