United Airlines has unveiled a new Economy Plus seating concept for its upcoming Airbus A321XLR fleet, offering passengers extra personal space through an open middle seat fitted with a shared table.
The new seating option will go on sale later this year and is expected to be installed on all 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft currently on order. United is also evaluating the possibility of introducing the concept on additional aircraft types in the future.
Extra Space Without a Middle Passenger
Each A321XLR will feature one dedicated Economy Plus row where the middle seat has been replaced by a fixed table stretching from armrest to armrest. The window and aisle passengers will benefit from additional elbow room and a larger personal space during longer international flights.
The table features a soft leather-like surface and integrated cup holders. Passengers will also continue to enjoy the three inches of extra legroom already available in Economy Plus on the A321XLR.
United expects to become the only U.S. airline to offer this type of Economy seating configuration.
Part of Wider Cabin Upgrades
The announcement follows United’s recent introduction of the United Relax Row, a new seating concept on selected Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft that transforms multiple Economy seats into a couch-style configuration. That product is expected to enter service in early 2027.
According to Andrew Nocella, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, the airline continues to invest across every cabin, giving customers more choice and value while modernising its fleet.
Premium Narrowbody Aircraft
The Airbus A321XLR has been designed as United’s most premium narrowbody aircraft for international short- and medium-haul routes. The aircraft will feature 32 premium seats—16 more than the Boeing 757 aircraft it will replace—including new United Polaris Studio suites with lie-flat beds, privacy doors and direct aisle access.
All passengers will have access to 4K OLED entertainment screens with Bluetooth connectivity, ranging from 19 inches in Polaris to 16 inches in United Premium Plus and 13 inches in United Economy. Additional cabin features include larger overhead bins capable of accommodating more carry-on luggage and a self-service snack bar in the rear Economy cabin.
Service Begins This Year
United plans to introduce the A321XLR on domestic routes later this autumn before launching international services in early 2027. The aircraft will typically operate transatlantic flights with five flight attendants, matching the staffing levels currently used on the Boeing 757 fleet.
The airline plans to announce pricing and additional details for the new Economy Plus seating option before bookings open later this year.
