Traveling by plane can be stressful, especially if you’re stuck in a cramped seat with little legroom. Some U.S. airlines give passengers more space, while others pack seats tightly to fit more people. Here’s a breakdown of which airlines offer the most and least legroom in economy class.
Airlines With the Most Legroom
JetBlue: Known for its comfortable seating, JetBlue offers 32 to 41 inches of legroom in economy class, the most among U.S. airlines. Their “Even More Space” seats provide extra room for taller passengers28.
Delta Air Lines: Delta’s standard economy seats have 30 to 38 inches of space. Upgrading to “Delta Comfort+” gives passengers 34 inches, while Premium Select offers 38 inches on international flights28.
Alaska Airlines: With 30 to 38 inches of legroom, Alaska Airlines is a good choice for comfort. They also have a policy allowing larger passengers to book an extra seat and get a refund later28.
Airlines With the Least Legroom
Spirit Airlines: A budget airline with the tightest seating, Spirit’s legroom starts at just 28 inches. Passengers can pay extra for “Big Front Seats” with more space28.
Frontier Airlines: Another low-cost carrier, Frontier’s economy seats have 28 to 31 inches of legroom. Upgrading to “Stretch Seating” adds a few extra inches28.
Allegiant Air: With 30 to 34 inches, Allegiant is slightly better than Spirit and Frontier, but still below average. Their cheapest tickets come with the least space28.
Airlines shrink seat space to fit more passengers and make more money. But tight seating can be uncomfortable, especially on long flights. Studies show that even one extra inch can improve sleep quality by over 50%2.
If you’re tall or just want a more comfortable flight, checking an airline’s seat space before booking can make a big difference. While budget airlines save money, they often sacrifice comfort. For long trips, paying a little extra for legroom might be worth it!
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