United Airlines is introducing a new premium economy option on its Airbus A321XLR aircraft, featuring blocked middle seats with a shared tray table. The airline announced on Tuesday that one row in the Economy Plus section of the A321XLR will have a permanently fixed tray table separating the window and aisle seats, effectively blocking the middle seat. The tray table includes a soft leather-like covering and cup holders, providing shared table space and additional elbow room for passengers. This setup, resembling European-style business class, will be available for purchase later this year. United has not yet disclosed pricing details but confirmed the feature will initially be available only on the A321XLRs, with potential expansion to other aircraft in the future.
The first A321XLR, delivered in June, is expected to enter domestic service in the fall and international service in early 2027. The aircraft will replace United's Boeing 757s on transatlantic routes, such as Newark to Edinburgh. United's chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, stated that the airline is investing in fleet upgrades to offer customers choice and value in every cabin.
The blocked middle seat setup may also help United save on labor costs. Federal regulations require one flight attendant per 50 certified seats on the 150-seater A321XLR, plus an additional attendant due to the complexity of the sliding doors in business class. Adding another flight attendant would trigger a fifth and increase labor costs. United recently signed a new labor contract with its flight attendant union, which includes a 31% pay hike and added boarding pay.
The new feature is part of a broader trend among airlines to upsell passengers on premium comfort options. Delta Air Lines, for example, recently launched basic business-class and premium economy fares that exclude certain perks, such as lounge access and seat selection.