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With flying being so competitive these days, airlines are striving to innovate and provide differentiation even in economy cabins, with US-based carriers such as United Airlines recently introducing couch-style “Relax Rows”, inspired by the Air New Zealand Skycouch product. However, when looking at a global scale, the economy product for the most part remains the same among airlines.
One way airlines ensure an elevated travel experience for passengers in economy, especially those traveling long-haul, is by the seat dimensions* provided for the seats, along with additional amenities or features. Therefore, this list looks at seven carriers that offer among the best economy seat products in the sky, for long-haul travel.
*Seat dimension data for all airlines will be in reference to data provided by aeroLOPA.
7
Qatar Airways
Offering average dimensions of 31 – 32 inches (78 – 81 cm) pitch and 18 inches (45 cm) width
Qatar Airways is a Middle Eastern superconnector, operating an extensive network with a considerable number of long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes, with a variety of next-generation and older-generation widebody aircraft. The airline also has a few widebody aircraft leased from other carriers, such as Oman Air and Cathay Pacific.
A huge portion of the airline’s widebody fleet comprises Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s, along with a considerable number of Boeing 777s. The majority of seats offered across the airline’s widebody aircraft have a seat dimension of 31 – 32 inches (78 – 81 cm) of seat pitch, along with 18 inches (45 cm) of width and five inches (12.7 cm) of seat recline. However, because of the presence of aircraft from other airlines within the fleet, there are seats that offer better dimensions, such as increased recline and seat width.
However, when it comes to the airline’s own aircraft, perhaps the largest economy seat dimensions can be found onboard the airline’s subfleet of Airbus A380s, which still offers the average seat pitch and seat width, but a luxurious seven inches of seat recline.
6
Korean Air
The carrier offers an average seat pitch of 33 inches (83 cm) and 18 inches (45 cm) of width
Korean Air is South Korea’s largest airline, operating a long-haul network of considerable size, with a variety of Boeing and Airbus widebody aircraft. This ranges from older generation aircraft such as the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777s, to newer generation and efficient jets such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350, and the airline is also one of the two airlines to operate both the Boeing 747 passenger jet and the Airbus A380.
As such, the economy seat offered across its fleet varies slightly. However, the average seat dimensions offered by Korean Air’s widebody fleet are a seat pitch of 33 inches (83 cm), a width of 18 inches (45 cm), and a recline of up to six inches (15.24 cm). However, a factor that elevates the experience significantly (especially onboard the majority of the airline’s 777s), is that the economy cabins across most of its widebody fleet are configured with a 3-3-3 seat layout, which is an industry favorite layout, compared to the standard 3-4-3 layout, providing customers with a better flight experience.
It is worth noting that Korean Air acquired Asiana Airlines, which is another major airline brand in South Korea. While the two brands continue to operate separately for the time being, it is essentially a single airline. Therefore, Korean Air passengers who might have a flight on an Asiana Airlines aircraft could end up flying on smaller seats, because Asiana’s average economy seat dimensions are only 32 inches (81 cm) of pitch and three inches (7.6 cm) of recline.
Fleet Modernization: Korean Air Places Record-Breaking Order For 103 Boeing Aircraft
Korean Air has made another landmark Boeing order.
5
Cathay Pacific
Consistent with an average of 32 inches (81 cm) of seat pitch and 18 inches (45 cm) of width
While Cathay Pacific is a major airline that provides long-haul connectivity, unlike the previous two carriers, the airline has specially configured some of its Airbus A330 aircraft with a more dense configuration specifically to be deployed on regional and short-haul routes. So how do they compare?
Looking into its fleet of widebody aircraft that is utilized for long-haul services, the airline operates a considerably simplified fleet structure, which subsequently means a more consistent product can be found onboard. The airline offers 32 inches (81 cm) of seat pitch, 18 inches (45 cm) of width, and six inches (15 cm) of recline across its Airbus A330 and Airbus A350 aircraft family. As for the Boeing 777-300ERs, the aircraft has a slightly variable dimension of 31 to 32 inches (78 to 81 cm) of seat pitch, 17.1 to 17.3 inches (43 cm to 44 cm) of width, and the recline remains at six inches like the rest of the airline’s long-haul fleet.
Beyond these, the airline also has a number of Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft, which are configured with higher-density cabins that are designated specifically to operate short-haul services within the region. The economy seat dimensions onboard these aircraft are also mostly consistent, with the A330s offering 32 inches (81 cm) of pitch, 18 inches (45 cm) of width, and four inches (10 cm) of recline, while the 777s have a reduced width of 17.3 inches (44 cm).
4
Emirates Airlines
Offering 32 inches (81 cm) of seat pitch and up to 18 inches (45 cm) of width
Emirates is another mega-connector in the Middle East, renowned for its luxury services and amenities across the board. The carrier for the better part of the past decade had a simplified fleet of only 777s and Airbus A380 aircraft. However, in the past two years, the airline has begun diversifying its fleet with the arrival of the A350-900, and in the coming years, the carrier is expected to receive the Dreamliners and the next-generation Boeing 777X aircraft.
However, because of the carrier’s simplified fleet, much like Cathay Pacific, Emirates is consistent with its product offering. These are the seat dimensions of the economy seats offered by Emirates:
|
Emirates Fleet |
Pitch |
Width |
Recline |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Boeing 777-200LR/300ER |
32 (81 cm) |
17.3 (44 cm) |
6 (15 cm) |
|
Airbus A350-900 |
18 (45 cm) |
||
|
Airbus A380-800 |
17.9 (43 cm) |
4 (10 cm) |
While the carrier does not have designated aircraft for routes, since the airline only operates widebody aircraft, each aircraft type has multiple configurations, which the carrier deploys as per operational needs. However, the airline maintains the economy product and its dimensions within the aircraft type, regardless of the configuration, thus providing passengers with assurance and consistency.
3
Singapore Airlines
While the carrier offers 32 inches (81 cm) seat pitch, width exceeds 18 inches (45 cm)
Singapore Airlines is another airline that has configured some of its aircraft for specific routes. However, in this case, these aircraft are configured with higher density for specific medium-haul routes or configured in a premium-heavy manner, without economy seats, on their ultra-long-haul routes.
Looking at the carrier’s traditional long-haul fleet, the carrier offers 32 inches (81 cm) of seat pitch, 18 inches (45 cm) of width (18.5 on their A380s), and five to six inches (12.7 to 15.2 cm) of seat recline. The only exception to these dimensions are onboard the airline’s Boeing 787-10 aircraft, in which the seats only offer 31 inches (79 cm) of pitch and 17.1 inches (43.4 cm) of width. However, this is expected considering the Dreamliners do have a narrower cabin compared to the A350s and the 777s.
For its specially configured aircraft, the airline has some of its A350-900s configured for specific medium-haul routes, on which the carrier still offers economy seat dimensions of 32 inches pitch (81 cm), 18 inches width (45 cm), and five inches (12.7 cm) of recline. As for the ultra-long-haul routes, the A350-900 ULR is an aircraft designed specifically for the airline, in which the cabins are configured in a less dense, premium-heavy layout, and Singapore Airlines uses it to fly the longest routes in the world.
Why Does The World’s Longest Flight Not Have Economy Class?
Singapore Airlines’ flights to Newark and New York JFK are the longest in the world, but the carrier does not offer economy class on the routes.
2
ANA – All Nippon Airways
Up to 34 (86.4 cm) inches seat pitch, these are one of the most spacious in the industry
While All Nippon Airways (ANA) is known to offer some of the most spacious and comfortable seats in its premium cabins, the airline has maintained these standards when it comes to its economy cabins as well, which makes the airline popular within the industry. Beyond just offering higher seat dimensions, the airline has a number of strategies it follows.
When it comes to seat dimensions, within a huge portion of the airline’s widebody fleet (designated for international flights), the carrier maintains an above-industry-average seat pitch of 34 inches (86.4 cm). The airline also maintains its seat width between 17 and 17.3 inches (43 and 44 cm) across these aircraft, while the seat recline varies between three and five inches (7.6 and 12.7 cm).
As for the strategies, like Korean Air, the carrier has a number of 777 aircraft with its economy cabin configured in an unusual 2-4-3 layout, therefore allowing for more space in the cabin, which is something the customers always appreciate, especially on long-haul flights. Additionally, ANA is another carrier that offers a couch-style product called the ANA COUCHii (inspired by Air New Zealand’s SkyCouch), which elevates the economy flight experience for passengers. However, this product is only available onboard the airline’s three A380s.
1
Japan Airlines
Offering up to 34 inches (86.4 cm) of seat pitch and over 18 inches (45 cm) of width
Like its fellow Japanese carrier, ANA, Japan Airlines also focuses on providing an enhanced economy experience. As such, the airline’s widebody fleet, designated for international routes, has some of the highest economy class seat pitches and seat width.
While the fleet’s economy seat pitch ranges from 31 to 34 inches, the majority of the economy seats offer 33 to 34 inches (84 to 86 cm) in pitch, while maintaining 18 to 18.9 inches (45 to 48 cm) in seat width, and consistently offering five inches (12.7 cm) of recline. The increased seat dimensions are possible because the airline follows the same strategy as that followed by ANA and Korean Air.
Japan Airlines is among the few carriers that have configured its economy cabins on its long-haul fleet with fewer seats per row, providing more space for larger seats. This includes configuring the airline’s 777 economy cabins with a 3-3-3 layout instead of the industry standard of 3-4-3 and its 767s with a 2-3-2 layout instead of the standard 2-4-2 layout.
