Earlier today I wrote about the mandatory seat blocking United Airlines is implementing this winter onboard its Boeing 757 series of aircraft. For those who desire extra room onboard, you can leverage this seat blocking to ensure an empty middle seat in economy class.
A Guaranteed Empty Middle Seat On United Airlines – Here’s What Seats To Choose
The seat blocking currently only impacts the Boeing 757 aircraft, of which United Airlines maintains a fleet of:
- Boeing 757-200 – 30 aircraft
- Boeing 757-300 – 15 aircraft
As Americans grow larger and also carry more items onboard, United Airlines is blocking the following seats:
- 757-224 (75S) – 24B, 27E, 30B, 24E, 37B, 40B (757-200)
- 757-224 (75B) – 29B, 32E, 36B (757-200)
- 757-324 (75E) – 16B, 19E, 27B, 30E, 36B, 39E (757-300)
When you reserve your flight, look for middle seats that are “missing” from the seat map.
For example, note that 16B, 19E, 27B, 30E, 36B, 39E have been removed from this seat map:
On this 757-200, 29B, 32E, 36B have been removed:
Frankly, I am surprised that United Airlines has not made the seats adjacent to these blocked middle seats “preferred seats” (that carry an extra charge for non-elites). Seats beyond row 31 with blocked middles carry no extra surcharge to reserve in advance, regardless of your status in the United MileagePlus program. Do not expect this to last…grab those seats now if you have booked your tickets in advance.
As a reminder, this seat blocking will remain in effect until April 30, 2022. Summer weights allow all seats to be utilized, so the seat blocking will not continue through the spring and summer.
Finally, remember that seat assignments are not guaranteed. Aircraft swaps are frequent and seats can be adjusted, so as a general rule, keep an eye on your seat assignments.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines is blocking select middle seats on its Boeing 757 series of aircraft. As a result, you can guarantee a blocked middle seat at least through April 30, 2023 by choosing an aisle or window seat adjacent to a seat block. Currently, a seat assignment beyond row 31 carries no surcharge, but I do not expect that to last. Move in quickly if you happen to be flying on a United 757 in economy class before the end of April.
image: Bill Abbott
On my domestic flight on a 757-300, I see that some seats simply aren’t on the map anymore, as you said. However, there are also several seats that are marked with “X,” which translates to “Unavailable seat” according to the legend. These seats definitely weren’t marked with “X” when I booked my flight and chose my seat.
So here’s the key question: if the aisle seat is “X” and the window seat is missing, should I select the middle seat? I’m not sure if the “X” means that aisle will eventually get filled. (I highly value having aisle access.)
Thank you for your help!
I suspect those “X” seats are only blocked temporarily.
Ah, bummer. But thank you for letting me know. Seems like there are no Economy Plus seats on the 757-300 that were removed, though some are marked “X.” I suppose it makes sense that United would rather not take the more premium seats out of service 🙂 though that means I don’t get the whole row (tragic, I know…)
Interestingly, I have another flight on a 737-900 where none of the seats have vanished from the map, but several are now marked “X” that weren’t before. I wonder what’s going on there.
Looks to me like the x just indicates seats that are unavailable because someone else has already selected them.
Nope, those are blocked. Seats that are selected are simply grayed out.
Its nov 3rd…and you are posting data that expired April 30.
“As a reminder, this seat blocking will remain in effect until April 30, 2022”
Try again…..
@matthew united is holding a ceremony tomorrow in Denver for the opening of their new A West gates, as well as the B east gates that opened last week. Denver politicians and United management will be there. Do you know if the new A club is ready?
No word. I’ve asked United. The new express lounge is open.
Hey Jared!! LTNS! FYI, the new Temp lounge at Den terminal A will be open to the public on Saturday Nov 5th. It is not yet available to the general customers.
Hey Jared, update, I’m thinking terminal A. Actually, I meant the fly and go next to gate B61, that one opens on Saturday, my bad!
Oh so the new B Fly Club opens tomorrow but nothing is opening in A yet?
I have a flight next Saturday so will investigate then.
Correct, so, on the new United Club at Terminal A at DEN i still don’t know what’s going on, I don’t know when it will be inaugurated. Same thing with the inauguration of the new Terminal A at EWR later this month. They are scheduled to open a new United Club over there as well, but I don’t know whether or not it’ll be ready by Inauguration Day. Omg, too many openings, too complicated!
Thank you!
I just moved my wife and myself to 16A and C on IAH-LAX and return.
We are both 1Ks and hope to get upgraded, but confirming these seats now, for free, is a good option.