United's new seating option ditches the middle seat

Key Points:

• United Airlines introduced a new Economy Plus seating option on its Airbus A321XLR aircraft, featuring extra elbow room and a shared table spanning the open middle seat for passengers in window and aisle seats.
• This Economy Plus feature will be available for bookings later this year and is expected on all 50 A321XLR jets United has ordered, with potential plans to extend similar seating to other aircraft in its fleet.
• The A321XLR will begin service on domestic routes this fall and on international short- to medium-haul flights by early 2027, replacing Boeing 757s with increased premium seating and enhanced amenities.
• Each A321XLR seat includes large 4K OLED screens with Bluetooth, larger overhead bins, and economy cabin snack bars, while premium cabins offer all-aisle access lie-flat seats in United Polaris suites.
• United claims it will be the only airline offering this Economy Plus seating design, complementing its upcoming United Relax Row that converts multiple seats into a couch on wide-body aircraft by 2027.