United Airlines reveals app update that will delight middle seat passengers

Almost every plane traveler hates being stuck in the middle seat - unless they want to be next to friends or family. 

Now, United Airlines has solution to help those who book a flight and find that only middle seats are left. 

For those using their app, the airline will now automatically swap them to a window or aisle seat once they become available. 

It works like this. On the app, travelers pick the unwanted middle seat - but at the same time express a preference for an aisle or window berth.

Then - if and when it becomes available, and they are next in line - the traveler is automatically assigned preferred opton. 

While most don't like middle seats, some passengers may swap into a middle seat to be next someone traveling with them or they might not show up.

For tall people, the new feature also allows travelers to opt for exit rows or so-called bulkhead sets, which are the first row seats that also tend to have extra leg room. 

United Airlines new app feature swaps travelers to their preferred seat choice, such as aisle or window, once it becomes available.

United Airlines will swap passengers into their preferred choice of seat - whether aisle, middle or window - once it becomes available

United is the first to offer the perk. Most airlines charge a premium to pick seats

United does this up to 12 hours before departure.

Being able to choose a seat when flying has become a luxury for passengers paying higher fares.

For most economy travelers they cannot do so until 24 hours before the flight. Those in higher classes or with frequent flyer status can do searlier sometimes. 

But the new change from United may be reverse that if it attracts customers and forces rivals to follow suit.

Airlines have increasingly charged passengers to pay for a specific seat on an aircraft.

The new automatic seat swap feature rolled out to select passengers to trial on March 22. 

This week it is being more widely rolled out.

United hopes the free service will encouarge flyers to use the app more. Around 3 million use it a day. 

In 2021, United rolled out a more basic feature in the app to help people move from a middle to an aisle or window seat.

But rather than making the change automatically, the app sent a notification to travelers on their smartphone. 

Customers then had to go into the app and make the change. If they missed the notification, or could not make the change at the time, then the seat might have been taken by another passenger.

Under the new system, the app will allow flyers to express a preference for exit rows and first-row seats.

According to The Points Guy, the move makes United the first and only US airline to offer a seat preference feature.

Frequent-flyer programs remain popular despite complaints that the value of miles and points decline over time because airlines raise the requirements for redeeming them for flights

In March, United announced it is now letting people pool and share their frequent-flyer points with family and friends. It is a first for a major airline.

A 'pool leader' can pick up to four other people to set up a joint account in its MileagePlus program.

The group leader must be over 18, but there is no minimum age for others, so parents can sign up kids.

However, everyone in the pool must have their own United frequent-flyer account.