5 reasons why Seat Blocker is a win-win for airlines and passengers
The cabin doors close. The seat beside you remains empty. No last-minute passenger shuffle, no seatmate leaning in to claim the armrest. It’s just you, your space, and the rare luxury of a little extra breathing room. It feels like winning the lottery.
Now, what if airlines could bottle that miraculous feeling and make it available to every economy passenger at an affordable price? And what if, at the same time, unsold inventory generated ancillary revenue?
That’s the genius of Seat Blocker, an ancillary solution that turns empty seats into a source of revenue while letting passengers upgrade their journey on their terms.
Our CMO Danielle Brown joined Aviation Week’s Window Seat to explain how Seat Blocker is changing the game for airlines—including inflight etiquette tips for blocked seats. Here are five takeaways for airlines from her conversation with Air Transport World Editor-in-Chief, Karen Walker.
1. Unlock revenue from unused seats
An empty seat doesn’t have to be a missed opportunity. Seat Blocker lets airlines monetize 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. It’s a true win-win: airlines maximize inventory value, and passengers get an affordable comfort upgrade.
Unlike premium cabin upgrades, which are limited by availability, Seat Blocker turns existing economy seating into a new revenue stream. It allows airlines to look at what is the configuration of this plane, what are the total number of bids and seats available, and how they can optimize that revenue. With no need for cabin redesigns or extra services, Seat Blocker is one of the highest-margin ancillaries in the industry.
2. Meet growing demand for comfort
Travelers are embracing Seat Blocker, with demand growing nearly fourfold in the past year. And it’s not just for long-haul journeys: our partners have seen a 129% increase in submitted offers for short-haul flights during that time (Plusgrade Partner Data, 2024). This is consistent with other Plusgrade data that shows today’s passengers increasingly value small, affordable ways to make their travel experience more comfortable, no matter the distance.
For airlines, this is a great opportunity to tap into an evolving traveler mindset. Offering a simple, cost-effective comfort upgrade can help you stand out while driving additional revenue.
3. Maximize revenue by thinking holistically
Ancillary products work best when they’re part of a broader strategy. As Danielle explains, “The mistake many airlines make is looking at monetization opportunities as separate. The way to have success is to look at it as an ecosystem and journey with different touchpoints.”
Seat Blocker slots seamlessly into ancillary revenue strategies, pairing with premium seat upgrades and preferred seating. It enhances the traveler experience even when premium seats or cabins sell out. The key is dynamic inventory management—maximizing the value of every seat without undercutting ticket sales. This interconnected approach offers a holistic way to monetize every cabin.
4. Give passengers control over their journey
Today’s travelers want choices. Seat Blocker offers economy passengers another way to customize their experience, whether it’s a place to put their purse or laptop on a short hop or some much-needed breathing room on an overnight flight. And thanks to accessible pricing, it opens up an upgrade opportunity to even more travelers.
By offering ancillary options that align with modern passengers’ expectations, airlines can increase satisfaction and loyalty. Seat Blocker is all about capturing that lottery-winning-feeling of an empty seat next to you when the plane pushes back from the gate. It’s not just about offering affordable luxury–it’s about giving passengers more control over how they fly.
5. Balance ticket sales and ancillary revenue
Seat Blocker’s standout feature is its flexibility. Bidding to block seats lets passengers reserve a seat that may otherwise sell before takeoff. How does it work? Seats are “soft-blocked,” remaining available for full-price ticket sales until a set time before departure. If unsold by then, the winning Seat Blocker bids are accepted.
This dynamic system lets airlines maximize revenue without foregoing opportunities to sell full-priced seats. Plusgrade continuously optimizes performance through industry insights, refining configurations, and introducing new features to meet evolving needs. Making it a flexible solution for changing demand.
More space, more revenue, more wins
Seat Blocker delivers value on both sides of the aisle. Passengers get more space and a better flying experience, while airlines generate additional revenue that’s easy to implement and manage. With growing demand for personalization and enhanced day-of-travel experiences, Seat Blocker creates new monetization opportunities. By treating unused inventory as part of an interconnected ecosystem, airlines can unlock multiple revenue touchpoints through a holistic strategy.
Listen to Danielle’s full appearance on Window Seat; Turning That Middle Seat Into An Upgrade
For a closer look at how Seat Blocker boosts revenue and enhances passenger comfort, read our white paper, Elevating Economy Class: How Seat Blocker Boosts Revenue & Comfort. Expanding on insights from the recent Window Seat podcast, it offers data-driven analysis on transforming day-of-travel experiences and unlocking new revenue streams.
Visit our website to learn more about how Seat Blocker can help you unlock additional revenue streams.