What’s the Plus?

I can understand why United doesn’t just let people sit in First Class when there are seats open.  

If you want First Class you have to pay, with dollars or miles, to upgrade your seat. 

First Class is truly a different class of service.

The flight attendants do more for you. The food is different. The alcoholic drinks are free. The “cabin” is physically separated from the rest of the plane and it has its own rest room.  

I get all that.

But Economy Plus is nothing but more room.  

The same flight attendants serve Economy and Economy plus. The same food and drink are served (food for purchase, of course). Both classes of seats are in the same cabin and use the same rest rooms.  

So why, when a plane has a ton of empty Economy Plus seats, don’t they just let Economy Class passengers move up to Plus on a first come, first served basis?

Isn’t it an opportunity to deliver some great customer service? 

Or, perhaps, to initiate an Economy Class passenger to the joys of more leg room (that they might even choose to pay for next time they fly)?

Why not just let them move?

Just to be clear, I have nothing against United Airlines.  

In fact, ever since my flight status changed, I really like them.

Now they put me in Economy Plus automatically all the time. 

I just wish they’d extend the courtesy to others!