Size matters when it comes to flying, especially the amount of legroom you have between your seat and the one in front of you. A recent survey of the 10 busiest domestic flight routes in the United States showed that some airlines offer more legroom than others, making for a more comfortable flying experience. UpgradedPoints.com analyzed seat pitch statistics, which is the distance between a seat and the one behind it, to determine which US airlines provide the most legroom in 2024.
The airlines that offer the most legroom in 2024 include JetBlue Airways with 32.3 inches, Southwest Airlines with 31.8 inches, and Delta/Alaska Airlines with 31.0 inches. On the other hand, airlines with the least legroom in 2024 include Spirit/Frontier Airlines with 28.0 inches, Hawaiian Airlines with 29.0 inches, United Airlines with 30.1 inches, and American Airlines with 30.2 inches. The experts caution that once legroom drops below 30 inches, tall passengers may have difficulty being comfortable during the flight.
While looking at the averages for legroom can be helpful, passengers seeking more specific information can also consider the type of aircraft that will be used for their flight. By researching the make and model of the plane, passengers can find detailed information about seating arrangements, cabin layouts, and more. In 2024, some of the aircraft with the most spacious passenger seating include the Embraer 190 with 32.0 inches, the Canadair RJ 900 with 31.0 inches, and various models of Boeing and Airbus planes, all offering 31.0 inches of legroom.
Conversely, some aircraft have more cramped passenger seating, with the Airbus A320neo offering 28.0 inches, the Airbus A321 (Sharklets) offering 28.7 inches, the Boeing 717 offering 29.1 inches, and the Airbus A319 offering 29.8 inches. The survey used the Google Chrome extension Legrooms for Google Flights, along with data for all listed flights on the 10 busiest domestic flight routes in November 2023 from OAG, a global travel data provider.
Overall, when it comes to ensuring a comfortable flying experience based on legroom, passengers should consider the airline they choose, the specific aircraft used for their flight, and the level of comfort that is important to them. With some airlines offering more legroom than others, travelers can make more informed decisions about their future flights by researching seat pitch statistics and aircraft details. Ultimately, having adequate legroom can greatly impact the overall comfort and enjoyment of a flight, especially for long-legged passengers who require more space to stretch out.
