Whilst the global standard is 31 inches in economy class, some airlines do much better
One of the most important things on an economy flight (ideally ranking after safety but before the in-flight entertainment) is legroom and how much you’ll get.
Airlines refer to seat pitch rather than legroom
When airlines measure legroom, they aren’t really measuring legroom—what they measure is seat pitch instead—that is to say, the distance from the back of your seat to the distance of the back of the seat in the row in front or behind.
It’s the best guide to compare seats across airlines—as seats vary in padding and the way they recline.
The global seat pitch standard is 31 inches (nearly 79 centimetres), but some airlines offer more.
The best international airlines for legroom in economy
Interjet, flying out of Mexico, used to offer the most legroom (34 inches), as reported by CNTraveler, but it went out of business during the pandemic. This now leaves these airlines on top:
- Japan Airlines (33-34 inches)—this doesn’t count the 31 inch standard for domestic flights, as the airline offers more through its international fleet.
- ANA, Emirates, EVA Airways, and Singapore Airlines (32-34 inches)
- Air China, Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, and Korean Air (32-33 inches)
- Cathay Pacific, SWISS, and Vietnam Airlines (32 inches)
The best U.S. airlines for legroom in economy
Jet Blue fares well in economy in the U.S. with distances ranging from 32 to 34 inches. Its more expensive seat options also fare well (offering up to 41 inches). Jet blue came fourth in CN Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Airline in 2021.
Other airlines of note in the U.S. as reported by CN Traveler include:
- Southwest Airlines (32 inches)
- Silver Airlines (31-33 inches)
- Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Hawaiian Airlines (31-32 inches)
- American Airlines and United Airlines (31 inches).
Don’t just look for legroom or seat pitch
There are obviously other things that can add to your comfort level, such as seat width, choosing a seat in a bulkhead or heading to the back of the aircraft on larger planes (as the fuselage gets narrower, there will possibly be just two seats on each side of the aircraft, rather than three).
There are useful tools too, such as TripAdvisor’s Seat Guru, that can help travelers choose the best seat for them on any plane when booking their ticket.