Overview
- United announced on Tuesday that every one of its 50 incoming Airbus A321XLRs will feature a single Economy Plus row where the middle seat is converted into a permanently fixed shared table for the aisle and window passengers.
- The table has a soft leather‑like surface and two cup indentations and the seats include three extra inches of legroom; United says the option will go on sale later in 2026 with domestic flying starting in fall 2026 and international service by early 2027.
- Industry analysts note the layout keeps the A321XLR at a 150-seat configuration so the carrier can avoid moving into the next FAA staffing band that would require an additional flight attendant on many flights.
- United frames the change as a new, scarce Economy Plus paid upgrade but has not yet disclosed pricing, elite access rules, or whether passengers can reserve both sides of a shared table in a single booking.
- The move fits United’s broader strategy of carving premium options inside economy — alongside Relax Row and narrowbody Polaris suites — and could raise ancillary revenue while changing how passengers experience long single‑aisle international routes.