Check out this breakdown of Economy legroom on major US airlines.
Since we’ve all taken to the skies again after the pandemic, there’s been a noticeable uptick in passenger frustrations. From heated debates over reclined seats to squabbles about seating assignments, it seems the friendly skies aren’t so friendly anymore. But what’s really fueling these high-altitude headaches?
One culprit: the incredible shrinking economy seat. Airlines have been slowly but surely squeezing more seats into their planes, leaving us with less and less personal space. It’s like a real-life game of Tetris, but instead of blocks, it’s knees and elbows.
Conflict resolution experts have chimed in, pointing out that this reduced space is a recipe for tension. It’s hard to keep your cool when you’re sharing a armrest with a stranger. A recent survey backed this up; most respondents rated their last flight somewhere between “uncomfortable” and “is this what being a pretzel feels like?” The main gripe? Lack of space. When the seat in front of you is reclined, it can feel like the walls are closing in.
To put some numbers to our collective discomfort, a new study ranked airlines based on their legroom offerings. Using data from a browser extension that tracks seat pitch (the distance from one point on a seat to the same point on the seat in front), researchers identified the average legroom in economy for major airlines.
Here are the airlines with the airlines with the most legroom, according to the study:
JetBlue comes out on top in this analysis, with an average of 32.3 inches of space, with Southwest coming in a very close second place at 31.8 inches of legroom. Alaska Airlines and Delta are tied for third place with 31 inches of space. United and American both have just above 30 inches of space, while budget airlines stay true to their budgeted nature, with Spirit and Frontier each offering 28 inches of legroom.
While airlines vary considerably in their legroom offerings, the specific aircraft used also plays a pivotal role in determining the amount of space passengers can enjoy.
-At the top of the list is the Embraer 190, boasting an average seat pitch of 32.0 inches. This impressive figure stands out in the industry, marking the Embraer 190 as a leader in passenger comfort for legroom.
-Boeing also makes a strong showing in this area. 3 of the top 5 aircraft with the most legroom are Boeing models – the 767, 777, and 787 – each offering a spacious 31.0-inch seat pitch. This consistency across different Boeing models highlights the manufacturer’s commitment to ensuring passenger comfort isn’t compromised, even in larger, long-haul aircraft.
-Conversely, the Airbus A320neo offers the least legroom, with a seat pitch of just 28.0 inches. While Airbus is known for its innovative designs and efficient performance, the A320neo’s tighter legroom is a factor that passengers may want to consider, especially for longer flights.
-Despite the A320neo ranking among the bottom for average seat pitch, other Airbus models, such as the Airbus A320, offer up to 34 inches in legroom for economy passengers on select models. Across all A320s, the average seat pitch comes lands at 30.1 inches.
So the next time you’re feeling a bit squeezed on a flight, remember: it’s not just you. We’re all in this together—literally!
Twist’s Take: For maximum legroom in Economy, check out this study on which airlines offer the most space.