Have a look at our information below for details on popular airlines and the sizing of their economy seats. For further details on what each column and aspect means, scroll down on this page, where we'll explain 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 increased seat space, economy 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!
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.
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 |
| JetBlue | 32-41 | 17.8-18.2 | n/a | n/a |
| 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 |
| Southwest | 31-33 | 17-17.8 | n/a | n/a |
| 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 a good seat width 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 offers 1-2 extra inches of seat width and 2-3 additional inches of seat recline. 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 without completely breaking the bank, that little bit extra may go a long way.
For more information on Economy vs Premium Economy, check out our guide.
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 and 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!
