United CEO: It Should Cost More Not to Sit in the Middle Seat

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUnited's CEO, Scott Kirby, told The New York Times that it should cost more not to sit in the middle seat, and that fares may have further to rise.

2. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo you're paying for personal space. That's a premium experience.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUnited is rolling out an economy option that blocks off the middle seat. So you pay extra for a seat with nobody in it.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI assume the booking page says, quote, 'Reserve your absence.' Very tasteful.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorKirby says some customers want a window or a better seat, and that costs money to deliver. The empty one is the only seat United doesn't have to deliver.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorKirby also says COVID drove airfares to an artificial low that wasn't sustainable.

7. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorUnited expects nearly six billion dollars in added fuel costs for 2026, according to an SEC filing.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd checked bags reportedly go up ten dollars, the first increase in two years.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTen dollars. For the bag, not the seat.

10. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThink of the ten dollars as United investing in the space where a stranger's elbow would have been.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorI'd like to buy the middle seat, and I'd like nobody in it. Brock, is there any room in your forecast?