Chicago-based United Airlines Holdings Inc. announced plans to introduce a new Economy Plus seating configuration on 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, replacing the middle seat with a shared table to give passengers extra elbow room and workspace.
The middle seat in Economy Plus rows will be removed and replaced with a permanently fixed table stretching from armrest to armrest, featuring a soft leather-like covering and two cup indentations. The configuration gives aisle and window seat passengers additional space to stretch out on long-haul flights, supplementing the three inches of extra legroom already offered in Economy Plus.
United plans to launch the first domestic flights with the updated seating later this year, with international service beginning by early 2027. The move follows a similar playbook to British Airways, which blocks out middle seats in its short-haul Club Europe business class cabins.
The announcement builds on United’s earlier plans to offer economy passengers a flat-bed seating option at a lower price point than business class, a concept similar to Air New Zealand’s Skycouch, available since 2010. The airline is positioning the shared-table configuration as a premium economy enhancement that doesn’t require a full cabin overhaul.
The new seating arrives amid a competitive push among major carriers to diversify cabin offerings. Delta Air Lines recently rolled out Basic fares for its premium cabins, giving passengers the same onboard seats and meals at lower prices in exchange for giving up traditional business-class perks like lounge access and extra checked baggage.
Other international carriers are also enhancing their Economy Plus products. Mexico-based Grupo Aeromexico and Australia’s Qantas Airways have both introduced expanded legroom options on select aircraft, reflecting growing demand for mid-tier comfort upgrades among price-conscious long-haul travelers.
The A321XLR, with its extended range capability, is central to United’s strategy for opening new long-haul routes from its Chicago hub and other bases. The aircraft’s fuel efficiency and range make it suitable for transatlantic routes that could not previously support larger widebody aircraft.
