Originally Posted by
richardwft
Btw 5 in the centre block is not new, AA did it on B777 2-5-2. Some MD-11 also had 5 in the centre.
UA had the same config. It wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds: The 2s on either side are great, the 5 in the middle were frequently occupied by families or in two 2s with the very middle seat filling up last - so often staying empty.
Agree that it's awful to be stuck in the very middle as a solo flier, but the middle 5 block does have some upsides, too...