Wizz Air launches new paid option to keep the middle seat empty
October 30, 2025
Wizz Air is introducing a new seating option that gives passengers in search of extra space the option to block the middle seat, as it seeks to drive ancillary sales without abandoning the airline’s ultra-low-cost philosophy.
Beginning in December 2025, the carrier will trial a scheme allowing travellers to book a seat with the middle seat beside them intentionally left vacant.
The initiative, internally referred to as “Wizz Class”, signals an effort to attract a slightly more comfort-seeking audience.
The trial will roll out on selected Airbus A321neo aircraft operating from key Wizz Air bases, including London, Budapest, Bucharest, Rome and Warsaw.
Rather than redesigning the cabin, Wizz plans to use the front-row or extra-leg-room sections for the pilot programme.
Paying for an empty middle seat
Passengers purchasing the new product will effectively pay a premium to secure an empty seat next to them, providing more elbow space and a less cramped experience, while remaining within the standard single-class cabin. The seating arrangement would then mirror most intra-European business class products.
Wizz Air executives say the idea was inspired by feedback from frequent and business travellers who enjoy the airline’s efficiency but would prefer a little more space during short-haul flights.
Chief commercial officer Michael Delehant was quoted by the Financial Times as saying: “They don’t want to spend the first class price, the business class price, or whatever. They’d just like a little more space.”
The new option is another example of how low-cost airlines are experimenting with ways to appeal to different customer segments.
While Wizz Air’s model depends on high seat density, the company believes that offering a small number of premium-priced, empty middle seats could boost yields and satisfy a niche market.
Does the change undermine Wizz Air’s position as an LCC?
Leaving seats empty runs counter to the low-cost playbook, and the carrier will need to price the upgrade accordingly to ensure it provides additional revenue rather than reducing the overall number of passengers carried.
If successful, however, the trial could evolve into a permanent feature and even influence competitors across Europe to introduce similar add-ons.
Delehant added: ”We have a route network that offers daily routes, double daily routes, so if I can guarantee space for customers that want that in an ultra-low cost way, why would I not consider that?”
The move also reflects a wider industry trend among low-cost carriers to increase ancillary revenue – the extra income generated beyond the base ticket price.
As ticket prices remain fiercely competitive, airlines are relying more on optional extras such as seat selection, priority boarding, and baggage fees to drive profits.
Using technology to monetise empty seats
Technology also exists to help airlines achieve this goal.
Plusgrade’s Seat Blocker lets airlines monetise unsold seats, or rows, that would otherwise go unused, giving passengers the chance to pay a little extra (averaging $70, but can be as low as $20 depending on flight and carrier) for additional space and comfort.
Unlike traditional premium upgrades that depend on limited seat availability, Seat Blocker transforms standard economy rows into an additional source of revenue.
The system enables airlines to analyse aircraft layout, seat demand, and bidding patterns to determine the most profitable use of existing space.
Because it requires no cabin reconfiguration or added service costs, technology such as Seat Blocker represents what it claims is one of the most efficient and high-margin ancillary products in the airline industry.
