United Airlines to Sell Empty-Middle-Seat Row on Airbus A321XLR, Already Offered as Business Class in Europe

United Airlines announced Tuesday that one row on its Airbus A321XLR aircraft will feature an empty middle seat with a shared tray table for the aisle- and window-seat passengers. Cnbc reported the configuration will be located in the extra-legroom section and go on sale later in 2026.

The carrier stated it may later add the empty-middle-seat configuration to aircraft other than the Airbus A321XLR.

The empty-middle-seat product is already offered by European airlines as short-haul business class. Cnbc reported United Airlines announced in March 2026 plans to introduce a Relax Row product consisting of three economy seats that convert into a bed on some wide-body aircraft.

Delta Air Lines launched basic business-class and premium-economy fares that exclude previously included perks such as Delta One lounge access and seat selection.

Cnbc reported Delta Air Lines' basic long-haul business-class fares no longer include access to its top-tier Delta One lounge or seat selection. Airlines have spent years adding more premium-class seats to make bigger business-class cabins where spending has been more resilient, Cnbc reported. The bottlenecks of ever-more-elaborate seats have even delayed deliveries of new planes.