Legroom on major airlines has shrunk by an average of four inches since the late 20th century, according to Popular Science. Although business class and premium economy class legroom have increased, this has led to economy class seats getting smaller. There is also the fact that seats are shrinking and people are getting larger.

Airlines use the smallest seat size possible and regulations to pack more people into an aircraft, creating higher revenue and potentially cheaper tickets. What are the world’s longest economy class legroom seats that you can book today? And which are the largest in the United States? Let’s find out in this guide.

Variations & Differences

Credit: British Airways

Of course, legroom can vary between different aircraft types as well as different airlines, and there are many variables. In general terms, the Embraer E190 has one of the longest seat pitches of around 32 inches, compared to that of the Airbus A320neo with a seat pitch of 28 inches.

Premium and legacy airlines tend to offer the most legroom compared to low-cost airlines, but that is not always the case, as we will see later in this guide. The large international airlines will have two, three, or four classes offering more legroom through from economy class to premium economy class, and then business and first class.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have all lost between two inches and five inches of legroom since the 1980s. The average legroom is now 31 inches, down from 35 inches, according to Condé Nast Traveler. Some budget airlines have even less, such as Wizz Air and Spirit Airlines, with a seat pitch of around 28 inches.

A Comparison — United States

Credit: JetBlue

According to research at OAG on seat capacity, it highlights that standard economy seat pitch ranges from 28 to 32 inches, whereas premium economy seats offer 34 to 40 inches. Perhaps surprisingly, the same data says that low-cost carrier JetBlue offers the most legroom for economy passengers. There is four inches more pitch than Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. This may not sound like a huge difference, but on a longer flight, it is most definitely noticeable. Their modern fleet of A220, A320, and A321 aircraft all have extensive legroom.

Southwest Airlines, another low-cost carrier, has an average seat pitch of 31.7 inches, and perks also include free checked bags and free flight changes. Next, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines tied in third place with an average seat pitch of 31 inches. American Airlines followed with a 30.3 inch seat pitch and United Airlines 30.1 inches.

Data: OAG

Hawaiian Airlines has a smaller 29 inch seat pitch, although on its A330, the seat pitch is larger at 31 inches and a seat width of 16.5 to 18 inches. Ultra-low-cost airlines Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines have the least seat pitch at 28 inches. These may not be the most comfortable seats, but they consistently offer the lowest fares. These seats are a viable option on short-haul flights.

Related

The Most Spacious Premium Economy Seats In The US Today

All three major airlines in the US offer competitive premium economy products.

The Largest Economy Seats

Credit: Japan Airlines | Simple Flying

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have some of the largest economy seat pitches in the world at 34 inches. Japan Airlines Sky Wider seats have consistently won awards for the best economy class seats. The 2-4-2 configuration on the Boeing 787 in comparison to the typical Dreamliner configuration of 3-3-3. The slim seatback offers more legroom and is known to be one of the most spacious and comfortable seats in the skies.

ANA’s economy seats have the same seat pitch of 34 inches as its rival on the Boeing 777-300ER and the Boeing 787-9. The new Recaro seats will be introduced this summer on the Boeing 787-9 and will have one inch extra legroom and one and a half times more recline, a total of seven inches of recline, one of the highest in the world for an economy seat.

Both Japan Airlines and ANA keep this large pitch and focus on the premium passenger experience and higher returns per seat. This means they can afford better economy class legroom and comfort. This is based on their business culture, philosophy, competitive strategy, as well as market dynamics that differ from anywhere else in the world.

Worldwide Comparison

Credit: Shutterstock

Japan Airlines, ANA, and Emirates (on the Airbus A380) have some of the largest economy seats with more legroom. The Emirates A380 economy seats have a 34-inch seat pitch, 18-inch width, and a four-inch recline. Worldwide, JetBlue comes in second with between 32 and 34 inches, and they have fewer seat rows than their competitors. Cathay Pacific comes in third with their A350-100 economy seats, which have a 32-inch pitch and 18-inch width.

Singapore Airlines ties with Qantas and Cathay Pacific with their economy seats on the A380 having a 32-inch pitch, 19-inch width, and six inches of recline. Qantas this year will receive its first Airbus A350LXRs with a 33-inch seat pitch, making it another competitor in the market for longer seats and more space. Their 787-9 fleet has a 32-inch seat pitch and 17.2-inch width. They are followed by Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, with Southwest Airlines having a slightly larger seat pitch.

Data: Condé Nast Traveler | Business Traveler

Also notable are Korean Air and Oman Air economy seats. Oman Air has a 34-inch seat pitch in economy on the Boeing 787, compared to 31 inches on their Boeing 737. Korean Air also has a 34-inch seat pitch on its long-haul fleet. Their Boeing 737s have a 33-inch pitch, and the A321neo and Boeing 787 have a 32-inch pitch, which is less than their Boeing 777, 747-8, and 787-9.

Related

The Striking Differences Between Premium Economy & Economy Class In 2026

What secrets lie between these two cabin classes in 2026? The differences may surprise you…

Why The Variations?

Credit: Shutterstock

The primary driver of the economy class cabin is to fit as many passengers on the aircraft as possible. Reducing the space between each aircraft row by just one inch can enable an airline to install an entire row of extra seats on a narrowbody aircraft. Doing so across an entire fleet and numerous flights translates to millions of dollars in revenue for an airline.

In order to compete with low-cost airlines, full-service airlines prefer to reduce seat pitch so they can, in turn, offer lower fares. Airlines make more profit on business class and first class, whereas economy class provides enough revenue to cover basic operating costs. Also, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not specify a minimum seat size or pitch, so, in theory, an airline can make the seat even smaller as long as an aircraft can be evacuated within 90 seconds with half of the exits available.

There are some other factors that also need to be taken into consideration. There has been demand for more comfortable seats and better facilities. This has led more airlines to introduce premium economy seats with more personal space on long-haul flights. Business class seats have been upgraded to suites with lie-flat beds and are in very high demand. Economy class stays the same and is rarely upgraded.

How Can You Increase Legroom On Your Next Flight?

Credit: WestJet

When booking your next flight, it is always a good idea to check aircraft maps on the airline’s own website and AeroLOPA. Make sure to check the seat width between the armrests. The row pitch is the measurement from any single point on the seat to the same point in the row in front. The seat recline is measured from the maximum horizontal extent of the recline relative to the ‘upright’ position.

Once onboard, use the overhead locker to store personal items instead of under the seat in front of you. Exit rows can be booked for additional space, but they may cost more and have restrictions on who can sit there. You may also be asked to help in an emergency evacuation. Items must be stored in the overhead locker, not under the seat, and the seat recline is limited.

Bulkhead seats also have more space, but all items must be stowed in the overhead locker, and in-flight entertainment screens must be stowed away during taxi, take off, and landing. These seats are close to the galleys and the lavatories, so they may receive more footfall and noise than other seats. If you have a loyalty status with an airline, you may get upgraded to a more premium seat. It is also possible to bid for an upgrade or pay a discounted upgrade price with some airlines.