Photo: United Airlines United Airlines is adding a new twist to economy travel, announcing plans to introduce Economy Plus seats with extra elbow room on its upcoming Airbus A321XLR fleet.
The Chicago-based carrier said all 50 of its Airbus A321XLR aircraft will feature a dedicated Economy Plus row with open middle seats converted into shared spaces equipped with large custom tables. The new seating option is expected to go on sale later this year, with flights beginning shortly thereafter.
According to United, the airline expects to be the only U.S. carrier offering the 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 new configuration replaces the traditional middle seat with a permanently fixed table stretching from armrest to armrest. Covered in a soft leather-like material, the table includes built-in cup holders and provides additional personal space for passengers seated by the window and aisle.
The extra elbow room comes in addition to the three inches of extra legroom already available in Economy Plus on the Airbus A321XLR.
The announcement follows United's recent unveiling of its "United Relax Row," an upcoming product that allows multiple economy seats on select Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft to transform into a couch-like, lie-flat surface. That product is expected to debut in early 2027.
United's Airbus A321XLR has been designed as the airline's most premium narrowbody aircraft to date. The aircraft will feature 32 premium seats, including all-aisle-access United Polaris suites with privacy doors, and larger overhead bins throughout the cabin.
Passengers across all cabins will also have access to 4K OLED entertainment screens with Bluetooth connectivity. Screen sizes will range from 19 inches in Polaris to 13 inches in the standard economy cabin.
The airline plans to launch domestic flights with the Airbus A321XLR later this year, with international services expected to begin by early 2027.
United has not yet disclosed pricing for the extra elbow room seats but said additional details will be announced before tickets go on sale.
As airlines continue to experiment with new cabin concepts, United is betting that a little more personal space could become one of the most sought-after amenities in economy travel.