Which Airlines Provide the Most Comfortable Economy Class Seats?

Many travelers are unaware that certain planes provide more seating and legroom than others. They simply seek a flight ticket due to its affordability, resigning themselves to endure the lack of seating and legroom. They don't realize that often, for just a small additional cost or even sometimes less, they can choose an airline that offers reasonably spacious seats. And it can make a significant difference, especially during long flights.

What is a Seat Pitch? 

You might be wondering, what exactly is seat pitch, and why does it matter? Seat pitch refers to the measurement from one seat's headrest to the next, whether in front or behind. It gives passengers an indication of the legroom and space they can expect during the flight. (Especially if you keep your small bag under the seat instead of taking check-in baggage). And yes, it does make a considerable difference.

It is especially true if you have long legs or if you plan to work comfortably with your laptop on the tray in front of you. Seat pitch also matters when you're embarking on a cross-country or international journey or when you're taking an overnight flight and hoping to catch some sleep.

Moreover, apart from seat pitch, some airlines offer greater seat width (from armrest to armrest) than others in their coach or economy cabins. Few things are more frustrating during a flight than having your seat neighbor's arms or body encroach upon your personal space. Often, it's because they're crammed into a tight seat.

However, that space belongs to you! By familiarizing yourself with the airlines that provide the most seat space in economy class, you can fly with these carriers and secure a seat that allows you and your fellow passengers to spread out a little without invading each other's territory.

Airlines Offering The Biggest Legrooms in Economy Class

JetBlue takes the lead in providing the most spacious aircraft seats in America. While seat dimensions may vary across different aircraft models, the airline ensures a generous legroom of up to 38 inches in their standard economy class. Among JetBlue's fleet of 130 Airbus A320s, 12 aircraft offer a seat pitch of 34 inches, while the remaining planes provide 32 inches. On non-Mint (non-business class) A321s and Embraer 190s, the standard pitch is 32 inches, but it increases to 33 inches in standard economy on Mint-equipped aircraft. It's a huge difference between other low-cost Airlines. For example, famous low-budget Frontier airlines feature seats pitch ranging from 28 to 31 inches.

Additionally, both configurations include multiple rows of economy seats with extra legroom. Across all aircraft, these seats offer a minimum of 37 inches, while the Embraer 190 provides an even more generous 39 inches. Moreover, JetBlue's economy seats width range between 17.8 and 18.25 inches. Overall, these seat dimensions are widely regarded as some of the best among both domestic and international airlines in the economy-class segment.

Iberia Airlines. In Economy Class, passengers can enjoy a range of 28 to 34 inches of legroom on short-haul flights, while Business Class passengers experience 31 to 50 inches of legroom on the same type of flight. Frankly speaking, this airline offers seats with the biggest legroom in Europe. During long-haul flights, Iberia continues to prioritize passenger comfort. Economy Class travelers are provided 30 to 34 inches of legroom, while Premium Economy passengers benefit from 37 inches of legroom. In the spacious Business Class cabins, passengers are treated to a remarkable 78 inches of legroom.

Norse Atlantic Airlines. Recently, we introduced Norse Atlantic Airlines, and now it's time to delve into the details of their seat pitches. The Norse Atlantic 787 aircraft feature two cabins: Economy and Premium. The Economy class consists of two spacious cabins accommodating a total of 282 seats. With 13 to 14 rows arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration, Economy passengers have comfy seating options. The seats in this cabin offer a seat pitch ranging from 31 to 32 inches. Pretty good compared to the usual 28 itches....

Southwest Airlines. If you seek bigger legroom and seat width during domestic economy flights, Southwest Airlines presents itself as an excellent choice. On their older Boeing 737-700 aircraft, Southwest provides a seat pitch of 31 inches. However, on their newer Boeing 737-800 and MAX 8 models, the airline has improved legroom in economy class, offering between 32 and 33 inches of space. Southwest has also increased seat width on the MAX 8 aircraft, expanding it from 17 inches to 17.8 inches.

Delta Airlines. Among the three major U.S. airlines (Delta, American, and United), Delta stands out by offering the most generous economy seats, albeit with some slight variations. Across most narrowbody aircraft, Delta provides a range of 30 to 31 inches of legroom. However, passengers can enjoy increased legroom of 32 inches on the Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757, and Airbus A220 models.

When it comes to seat width, Delta's Airbus narrowbody planes feature seats with a width of 18 inches. On the Boeing 737, the seat width measures 17.2 inches, while the Airbus A220 offers an even more spacious seat width of 18.6 inches.

AeroMexico is widely recognized as one of the top airlines that prioritize providing comfortable lengrooms for passengers. As a Mexico City-based carrier serving more than 90 destinations worldwide! Passengers flying in economy class on AeroMexico's Boeing 787 aircraft can anticipate a range of 31 to 36 inches of legroom, depending on the seat configuration. Additionally, each seat boasts a width of 17.2 inches.

Avianca takes the lead in providing the most generous legroom among South American airlines. On short-haul flights, the airline offers passengers a comfortable legroom range of 30 to 32 inches in Economy Class, while Business Class passengers enjoy an even more spacious range of 38 to 40 inches.

Air Canada also stands out with the widest range of seat pitches available for economy class. When flying in the economy cabin on Air Canada flights, passengers have the option to choose seats with a pitch ranging from 29 to 35 inches. Furthermore, the seat width in Air Canada's economy class varies from 17 to 18.5 inches.

Emirates Airlines excels in offering remarkably spacious economy class seats (32-34 itches), particularly on their Airbus A380 aircraft, despite being considered affordable options. Notably, the coach seats on the Airbus A380 provide a generous seat pitch ranging from 33 to 34 inches.

Virgin America sets the stage for a first-rate economy class experience. Under the guidance of Sir Richard Branson, this airline offers ample seating options with a seat pitch of 32 inches on select aircraft, while others provide a spacious 38 inches. On Virgin America flights, passengers can typically enjoy a seat width of approximately 18.7 inches, allowing for comfortable and roomy seating arrangements.

Hawaiian Airlines. When it comes to traveling to Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines is the preferred choice. Their Airbus A330 planes are renowned for their exceptional comfort. With a seat pitch of up to 32 inches and a seat width of 18 inches, passengers can relax and enjoy a pleasant journey to the Hawaiian islands.

Cathay Pacific. This carrier goes above and beyond, offering significantly more legroom than U.S.-flagged carriers operating in the same region. Cathay Pacific's Boeing 777-300 planes feature a seat width of 18.5 inches and a seat pitch of 32 inches, ensuring a comfortable journey across the Pacific.

Interesting read: Which One is Better : Frontier vs Spirit