United Airlines plans new "Economy Plus" seating feature, converting the middle seat into a shared table.
United Airlines announced plans to debut a new seating arrangement in its Economy Plus class on the Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The change transforms the traditionally empty middle seat into a permanent shared table, offering more space to adjacent window and aisle passengers. This new feature aims to enhance passenger comfort on longer international flights. Andrew Nocella, United Airlines' executive vice president and chief commercial officer, stated that the company is investing across its fleet to give customers greater choice and value. The offering, which is not expected to be priced until later this year, marks a trend among carriers to create more premium tiers. The move follows other initiatives, including United Airlines' planned "United Relax Rows" on other aircraft. Competitor Delta also recently updated its fare structure, adding a Basic Business class option. While the new seating on the Airbus A321XLR is confined to one row initially, United Airlines suggests the option could expand to other aircraft in the future.