Getting stuck in a middle seat is one of the most dreaded parts of flying, and on many airlines, avoiding it now comes at a price. On United Airlines, travelers without frequent flier status are often paying extra just to snag an aisle or window.
Now, United CEO Scott Kirby has made it clear that he has no problem with that. In a new interview, Kirby defended charging customers to avoid the middle seat, arguing that the people who want a better seat should be the ones who pay for it.
Paying to Skip the Middle Seat
Travelers who don’t have status with United currently have to pay $70 to avoid being placed in a middle seat, according to The New York Times. In fact, the Times reporter who interviewed Kirby took a middle seat on her United flight to Chicago to avoid the extra fees.
The fees come as travelers are already paying more to fly. Airfares nationwide were up more than 22% in September compared to a year earlier.
Kirby, who has been United’s CEO since 2020, was asked how customers without frequent flier status fit into the airline’s strategy.
‘That Costs Money to Deliver’
Kirby didn’t back down. He argued that charging for seats is the fairest way to give every type of traveler what they want.
“Some people just want to get from A to B at the cheapest price possible. There are some customers who want to sit in a window seat or a better seat, and that costs money to deliver,” Kirby told the New York Times. “The way to give everyone what they want is to charge for the services and products that those customers want.”
When asked if frequent fliers have become the “haves” and everyone else the “have-nots,” Kirby pushed back a bit.
“I would never describe it that way. There are customers that pay more that get more,” he said.
Kirby also said that while United has invested heavily in premium cabins, many of its recent upgrades benefit everyone on the plane.
“We’re going to have fast, free Starlink. Seat-back entertainment for every customer,” he said.
Needless to say, if you’re looking to avoid a middle seat on your next flight, it sounds like you’re going to have to pony up and pay a bit more.
