United Airlines adds table-style Economy Plus rows on new A321XLR fleet
United will replace the middle seat with a fixed table in select Economy Plus rows on its Airbus A321XLR aircraft, offering extra elbow room for window and aisle passengers.
United Airlines announced a new Economy Plus configuration for its fleet of 50 Airbus A321XLR jets. In the redesigned rows, the middle seat is replaced by a permanent table that spans the width of the row, giving the window and aisle seats additional space to stretch on longer international flights. The airline said the change is part of a broader investment in its cabin product.
"We’re investing nose-to-tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin," said Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "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."
The new seating option will be offered for sale later this year, though pricing has not been disclosed. United expects the A321XLRs to begin domestic service this fall and to start international flights by early 2027, with more than half of the fleet in operation by 2028. The aircraft will replace some Boeing 757s on existing routes and enable new services to Europe and South America. Economy Plus seats on the XLR already provide three inches more legroom than standard Economy.
Earlier in March, United also announced a separate “Relax Row” product for its Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, slated for launch in 2027, which will allow a row of three seats to be converted into a couch-like configuration.