Have a look at our information below for details on popular airlines and the sizing of their economy seats. For further details on which airlines have the widest economy seats and what each column of our table means, keep scrolling down the page. We'll be explaining everything you need to know.
Japan Airlines won the prize for the Best Economy Seat during the 2018 Skytrax World Airline Awards and offers some of the largest economy seat options.
Its standard economy seating offers 34 inches of pitch, and its Sky Wider seats provide an industry-winning 19 inches of width.
In addition to its wide economy seats, passengers can enjoy unobstructed storage spaces underneath seats, Wi-Fi, power ports, and a 27cm touch-screen TV!
Close to Japan Airlines with a comparable 32-inch pitch, Singapore Airlines' economy seating also has Wi-Fi and power ports, an 11.1-inch touch-screen TV, and complimentary blankets and pillows!
Its economy seating offers some of the healthiest padding out there, along with a very reasonable 33-inch pitch. Air New Zealand was also the first to offer "couches" in economy, allowing couples or solo travellers to convert their seating into an entire row, mattress pad included.
Emirates' economy seating has a 32- 34-inch pitch and an 18-inch width. An oversized and adjustable headrest makes it even better. The largest economy entertainment system currently in the sky (13.3-inch display screen) will also help ensure an enjoyable economy experience.
Not only is JetBlue a low-cost airline, but it also offers wide seats that provide passengers with a comfortable flight experience. Its seats range from 17.8 inches to 18.4 inches wide and have an average seat pitch of 32.3 inches, perfect for providing that additional comfort.
If you'd prefer to prioritise width over pitch, then the ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier is perfect. Its width is actually greater than JetBlue's, at an impressive 17.1 inches to 19.1 inches. Meanwhile, its seat pitch is still a generous 28 to 31 inches.
Southwest Airlines is another airline with wide economy seats that are ideal for extra comfort. Its seats are around 17.8 inches wide and 32 inches in seat pitch, providing an above-average amount of space.
It's important to remember that numbers will vary depending on the aircraft, flight and seat availability. Every effort has been made to ensure the information above and in the table below is accurate. However, please be aware that the content is subject to change.
| Airline | Standard Economy Seat Pitch (inches) | Standard Economy Seat Width (inches) | Premium Economy Seat Pitch (inches) | Premium Economy Seat Width (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aegean Airlines | 30 | 17-18 | n/a | n/a |
| Aer Lingus | 31-32 | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Aero Mexico | 31-34 | 17-18.3 | 38 | 17.2 |
| Air China | 30-31 | 17-18 | 36-38 | 19.3 |
| Air Europa | 30-31 | 17-18 | n/a | n/a |
| Air France | 29-32 | 17-18 | 38 | 19 |
| Air India | 29-32 | 17-18 | n/a | n/a |
| Air Italy | 30-32 | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Air New Zealand | 30-34 | 17 | 41-42 | 18.5-20 |
| Air Serbia | 30-31 | 17-18 | n/a | n/a |
| Air Canada | 29-34 | 17-20 | n/a | n/a |
| Alaska Airlines | 30-38 | 17-17.7 | n/a | n/a |
| American Airlines | 31-40 | 16.5-18.5 | 36-38 | 17.1 - 19 |
| ANA | 32 | 17-18 | 38 | 18-19.3 |
| Asiana | 30-33 | 17-18 | n/a | n/a |
| Austrian | 30 | 17-18 | 33-35 | 19 |
| British Airways | 30-38 | 16-19 | 38 | 18.5 |
| Delta | 30-35 | 16.79-18.6 | 38 | 18.5-19 |
| KLM | 30-32 | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Qantas | 30-32 | 17-18 | 38-42 | 19-20.5 |
| Qatar | 31-32 | 17-18 | n/a | n/a |
| SAS | 29-33 | 17-18 | 38 | 18.3 |
| SpiceJet | 29-30 | 17-20 | n/a | n/a |
| Spirit | 28-36 | 17.25-20 | n/a | n/a |
| SWISS | 29-39 | 17-18 | n/a | n/a |
| Thomas Cook | 28-30 | 17-17.6 | 35-36 | 18-20.5 |
| Tui | 28-34 | 17-18 | 38 | 18.5-19.5 |
| Turkish Airlines | 30-31 | 16-17.8 | n/a | n/a |
| United Airlines | 30-38 | 16-19 | 38 | 19 |
| Virgin Australia | 30-34 | 17-17.4 | 31-41 | 17.4-21 |
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If that information didn't make much sense to you, don't worry. Here, we'll explain exactly what seat width and pitch mean to aid your decision.
Seat width is measured from armrest to armrest. Even on shorter domestic or transcontinental flights, the thought of having to bunch up elbow-to-elbow with your neighbour can cause dread. So, picking an airline with wide economy seats is very important.
Seat pitch refers to the distance from one seat headrest to the next, both in front and behind. In other words, it measures the amount of legroom. Even centimetres can make a massive difference to your overall experience, especially if you plan on using your laptop or getting some sleep!
Some airlines offer premium economy as a completely separate class of seating, usually on intercontinental flights. Compared to standard economy, premium economy often provides 1-2 extra inches of seat width and 2-3 additional inches of seat recline, giving passengers the widest economy seats on the market. Additional amenities might include adjustable headrests and leg rests, personal TV screens, and premium food service.
As you'd expect, premium economy is more expensive but is still more affordable than business or first class. While regular economy might be better on the wallet, it's usually not as comfortable. If you want to prioritize comfort with wider economy seats and not completely break the bank, that little bit extra may go a long way.
For more information on Economy vs Premium Economy, check out our guide.
Want to make those premium economy seats less financially daunting? We've got the perfect solution. At Alternative Airlines we're partnered with numerous Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) lenders.
BNPL gives you more control over your finances by allowing you to spread the cost of your airline ticket over weekly, biweekly, or monthly instalments. You can find the perfect plan for your budget and travel needs, allowing you to spend more while on holiday.
Some of our BNPL providers include Afterpay, Affirm and PayJustNow.
Whether it's a standard or premium economy ticket, we can help you secure the ideal payment plan.
Then there's no need to wait any further! Book your economy seats now with the airline that best suits your comfort and travel needs!
The average economy seat has a pitch of 30-31 inches and a width of 17 to 18.25 inches.
Seat width is the measurement between armrests.
Seat pitch is the distance between headrests, both in front and behind. It's essentially a measurement of legroom.
Yes, you can! Alternative Airlines provides plenty of affordable economy options. With 600+ airlines to choose from, you can find the perfect airline for your budget and space needs!
