United Airlines is introducing a new seating option in its United Economy® cabin that aims to provide passengers with more personal space on board its upcoming Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
The new configuration features a row of Economy Plus seats with an open middle seat, creating additional elbow room for travellers seated in the window and aisle positions. A fixed shared table will span the space where the middle seat would normally be, offering a more spacious environment for passengers on longer international journeys.
“We’re investing nose to tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin. The XLR is our newest aircraft and not only offers all-aisle access lie-flat seats in United Polaris® but now also includes seats in Economy Plus with extra leg and elbow room. Our customers are going to love all these new options.”
– Andrew Nocella, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at United.
The airline expects to begin selling the new Economy Plus seating option later this year and plans to install it across its entire fleet of 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft currently on order. United is also considering expanding the concept to other aircraft types in the future.
According to the airline, it expects to become the only U.S. carrier to offer this style of Economy Plus seating. The announcement follows the recent unveiling of United Relax Row, a new seating concept for Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 widebody aircraft that transforms multiple seats into a couch and is scheduled to enter service in early 2027.
On board each A321XLR, the dedicated Economy Plus row will feature a custom-designed table extending between the window and aisle seats across the open middle space. The permanently installed table will have a soft leather-like finish and built-in cup indentations, while passengers will also continue to benefit from the additional three inches of legroom already included with Economy Plus seating on the aircraft.
Further details, including pricing, are expected to be announced before the product becomes available for purchase later this year.
The Airbus A321XLR has been designed as United’s most premium narrow-body aircraft and will primarily serve international short- and medium-haul routes. The aircraft will feature 32 premium seats, doubling the number available on the Boeing 757 aircraft it is replacing. This includes new United Polaris® suites with privacy doors and all-aisle access, lie-flat seating.
Passengers throughout the aircraft will also have access to upgraded in-flight entertainment, with 4K OLED screens measuring up to 19 inches in Polaris, 16 inches in United Premium Plus®, and 13 inches in United Economy®. Additional onboard enhancements include Bluetooth connectivity, larger overhead storage bins designed to accommodate rollaboard luggage, and a snack bar located at the rear of the economy cabin.
United plans to introduce the A321XLR on domestic routes later this autumn, with international services expected to begin by early 2027. The aircraft will typically be operated with five flight attendants on most transatlantic services, in line with the airline’s current Boeing 757 operations.
As airlines continue to invest in new products and passenger experiences, our MTB Aviation events provide the opportunity to meet the companies driving these developments. Contact us today to find out more about getting involved.
