Economy passengers flying with United Airlines will find things a little less cramped with the carrier launching a new cabin innovation.
United is introducing a row of economy plus seats on its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft with extra elbow room and access to a shared table across an open middle seat.
The move is designed to give window and aisle seat passengers extra room to spread out on longer flights.
United expects to be the only U.S. airline that will offer this seating option and it follows the recently announced United Relax Row – multiple rows of seats on its Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 widebody aircraft that transform into a couch and due to be available in early 2027.
Andrew Nocella, United Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, said the airline was investing across its entire fleet to give customers more choice and value in every cabin.
“The XLR is our newest aircraft and now includes seats in economy plus with extra leg and elbow room. Our customers are going to love all these new options,” Mr Nocella said.
The A321XLR also features 32 premium seats, 4K OLED screens ranging from 13 to 19 inches, larger overhead bins and a rear economy snack bar.
Each aircraft will feature one dedicated row with permanently fixed, leather-covered tables stretching across the open middle seat from armrest to armrest, complete with two cup indentations.
The extra elbow room comes on top of the three additional inches of legroom already offered in economy plus on the aircraft.
United plans to offer its first domestic flights on the aircraft later this year, with international service beginning by early 2027.
Pricing for the new Economy Plus option will be announced before it goes on sale later this year.
All 50 of United’s A321XLR aircraft on order will include the new seating configuration.
