- Airline travel blog Upgraded Points conducted a study on US airline legroom
- They analyzed the model of aircraft used by seven US-based airlines.
- READ MORE: Airplane passenger complains about a ‘service dog’ in his legroom
Planning to travel but can’t decide which airline to book flights with?
Well, a new study has revealed which US airlines offer the most legroom and which seats are the narrowest.
The research, carried out by the airline travel blog. Improved pointsconsidered seven airlines based in the United States, analyzing the model of aircraft used by each on the 10 busiest domestic flight routes in the country.
To calculate relative legroom, the researchers measured horizontally from a given point on one seat to the same point on the seat opposite in economy class, resulting in a figure that reflects the “average seat pitch.” of the airplane model.
The resulting findings showed that just over four inches differentiated narrower and roomier seating configurations, enough to make a difference in terms of comfort on a long flight.
Airline travel blog Upgraded Points ranked seven U.S.-based airlines in terms of the legroom each offered in economy on planes used on the 10 busiest domestic routes.
To calculate relative legroom, the researchers measured from a given point on one seat to the same point on the seat opposite, resulting in the “average seat pitch” of the model airplane.
JetBlue ranked first for the most spacious seats in economy class, with an average distance between seats of 32.3 inches.
The report attributed the breadth to the airline’s “modern fleet” of Airbus A320 and A321 models.
In second place was Southwest Airlines, with an average seat pitch of 31.8 inches.
Third place was a tie between Delta and Alaska Airlines.
Passengers on either airline can enjoy an average of 31 inches of space.
In fourth place was American Airlines, with 30.2 inches of space.
Fifth on the list was United Airlines, with 30.1 inches of space.
Hawaiian Airlines came in sixth, with just 29.0 inches.
And last but not least on the list: Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines tied.
Both “ultra-low-cost” airlines touted an average seat pitch of just 28 inches.
The study also highlighted certain aircraft models, untethered to any specific airline brand, ranking them based on their generosity of legroom.
First up: the Embraer 190, with an average seat pitch of 32 inches.
Last place was the Airbus A320neo, with an average of 28 inches between a seat and the equivalent point in front of it, four inches less than the top plane.
