United introduces Economy Plus seats with vacant middle and shared table on A321XLR

United Airlines announced a new Economy Plus layout for its Airbus A321XLR aircraft that removes the middle seat and installs a shared table spanning the width of the row. The table, covered in a soft leather-like material and equipped with two cup indentations, will be fixed in place and accessible to passengers in the aisle and window seats, providing additional elbow room beyond the three extra inches of legroom already offered in Economy Plus.

The airline said the configuration will be available for bookings later this year and will be fitted on all 50 A321XLR jets it has ordered, with plans to consider similar arrangements on other aircraft types in the future. United expects to begin domestic service with the A321XLR this fall and to use the model on short- to medium-haul international routes by early 2027.

"We're investing nose-to-tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin," said Andrew Nocella, United's chief commercial officer.

The A321XLR will also feature 32 premium seats, larger overhead bins, a snack bar in the rear of the economy cabin, and personal 4K OLED screens with Bluetooth connectivity. United noted that the new layout builds on its upcoming United Relax Row, slated for introduction on Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft in 2027.