United Airlines reveals app update that will delight middle seat passengers
- United Airlines’ new feature allows passengers to set their seat preference if it is initially unavailable
- They can choose an aisle, window or middle seat and be moved if one becomes available
- Passengers can also request to be switched to an exit seat or a seat with extra legroom
Almost every plane traveler hates being stuck in the middle seat unless they want to sit next to friends or family.
Now United Airlines has a solution to help those who book a flight and discover there are only middle seats left.
For those using their app, the airline will now automatically switch them to a window or aisle seat as they become available.
It works like this. Travelers choose the unwanted middle seat via the app, but at the same time indicate their preference for an aisle or a window seat.
Then, if and when it becomes available, and they are next in line, the traveler will automatically be assigned the preferred option.
While most don’t like middle seats, some passengers may switch to a middle seat to be the next to travel with them, otherwise they may not show up.
For tall people, the new feature also gives travelers the option to choose exit rows or so-called bulkhead sets, the front row seats that usually also have extra legroom.
United Airlines’ new app feature will switch travelers to their preferred seat choice, such as aisle or window, when it becomes available.
United Airlines will switch passengers to their preferred seat – aisle, middle or window – as it becomes available
United is the first to offer this benefit. Most airlines charge a premium for seat selection
United does this up to 12 hours before departure.
Being able to choose a seat while flying has become a luxury for passengers paying higher fares.
For most economy travelers, they can only do this 24 hours before the flight. Those who are in higher classes or have frequent flyer status can sometimes do better.
But United’s new change could be reversed if it attracts customers and forces rivals to follow suit.
Airlines have increasingly charged passengers for a specific seat on an airplane.
The new automatic seat change feature was rolled out on March 22 to select passengers for a trial period.
It will be rolled out more widely this week.
United hopes the free service will encourage flyers to use the app more often. About 3 million people use it per day.
In 2021, United rolled out a more fundamental characteristic in the app to help people move from a center seat to an aisle or window seat.
But instead of making the change automatically, the app sent a notification to travelers on their smartphones.
Customers then had to go to the app and make the change. If they missed the notification or couldn’t make the change at the time, the seat may have been taken by another passenger.
Under the new system, the app will allow flyers to express their preference for exit rows and front row seats.
According to The Points Guy, this move makes United the first and only U.S. airline to offer a seat preference feature.
Frequent flyer programs remain popular despite complaints that the value of miles and points is decreasing over time as airlines increase requirements for redeeming them for flights
In March, United announced that people can now pool their frequent flyer points and share them with family and friends. It is a first for a major airline.
A ‘pool leader’ can invite up to four other people to create a joint account in their MileagePlus program.
The group leader must be over 18 years old, but there is no minimum age for others, so parents can register children.
However, everyone in the pool must have their own United frequent flyer account.