Find out which airlines are making your travel a bit more spacious!
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When choosing your airline for your next trip, the seat's legroom, also known as seating pitch, plays a crucial part—especially for those extended, long-haul trips around the world.
There’s nothing worse than a cramped journey, especially when you've got to spend hours in the same position.
Now, the debate whether economy seats were larger in the golden days of the 80s versus today is an evergreen discussion point among travellers.
It is indeed surprising for many when we reveal that the legroom in widebody jets hasn't changed drastically over the years.
In fact, during the 1980s, seat pitch in an economy flight on a Boeing 747 was typically around 81.3 centimetres. This marginally exceeds the middle range of what you can expect on an international flight today.
Then, why second-guess whether flying in a modern-day aircraft feels more squeezed? More often, it's due to a shift in our perceptions.
Seat backs in the current era are slimmer, allowing the airlines to fit more seats into the same cabin size without narrowing the legroom.
Moreover, international flights, especially those into and out of Australia, now tend to be filled, leaving no chance of scoring that delightful empty seat next to you for added comfort.
Another critical factor to consider is the increasing average sizes of Australian men and women.
In the National Nutrition Survey of 1995, around 63 per cent of Australia's men and 47 per cent of women were reported as overweight or obese.
As per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, those figures have now risen to 75 and 60 per cent, respectively.
So, in a sense, while the legroom hasn't reduced that significantly, our requirement for space has changed.
On the plus side, contemporary advancements have resulted in larger in-flight entertainment screens, and those annoying floor-mounted boxes restricting legroom have become a thing of the past.
Plus, USB ports and AC power are generally available in economy, making staying connected and entertained during your flight easier.
So, with many top airlines vying for your attention, let's dive into the specifics to identify which ones come out on top in this legroom war!
Moreover, their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, operating on two of the world's longest routes: Perth to London and New York via Auckland, provides a generous seat pitch of 81.3 centimetres and a width of 43.7 centimetres.
The upper figures are on their A380, A330, and Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
Certain Boeing 777s have a seat pitch of 83.8 centimetres. The most spacious option is the two-class Boeing 777-200LR with no Q suites, featuring a seat pitch at the top of the range and a generous 48-centimetre width. However, this type is being phased out, with only two aircraft left in the Qatar fleet.
In conclusion, Asian carriers like Emirates and Qatar tend to offer slightly more generous seat pitches than Qantas, United, and Delta.
In the race for extra legroom, Japan Airlines is a standout, whereas budget airline Jetstar is on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Remember to factor in these details as you plan for your next adventure because, as a wise man once said, the journey matters as much as the destination! Safe travels, everyone!
Which airline's legroom would you prioritise when planning your next long-haul trip? Are you more inclined towards carriers with generous seat pitches, or do you consider other factors more important in your travel experience? Share your preferences and insights with us!
There’s nothing worse than a cramped journey, especially when you've got to spend hours in the same position.
Now, the debate whether economy seats were larger in the golden days of the 80s versus today is an evergreen discussion point among travellers.
It is indeed surprising for many when we reveal that the legroom in widebody jets hasn't changed drastically over the years.
Airline economy legroom refers to the space available for passengers in the standard seating class, typically characterised by limited legroom compared to premium classes. Image by alevisionco from unsplash
In fact, during the 1980s, seat pitch in an economy flight on a Boeing 747 was typically around 81.3 centimetres. This marginally exceeds the middle range of what you can expect on an international flight today.
Then, why second-guess whether flying in a modern-day aircraft feels more squeezed? More often, it's due to a shift in our perceptions.
Seat backs in the current era are slimmer, allowing the airlines to fit more seats into the same cabin size without narrowing the legroom.
Moreover, international flights, especially those into and out of Australia, now tend to be filled, leaving no chance of scoring that delightful empty seat next to you for added comfort.
Another critical factor to consider is the increasing average sizes of Australian men and women.
In the National Nutrition Survey of 1995, around 63 per cent of Australia's men and 47 per cent of women were reported as overweight or obese.
As per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, those figures have now risen to 75 and 60 per cent, respectively.
So, in a sense, while the legroom hasn't reduced that significantly, our requirement for space has changed.
The amount of legroom can vary between different airlines and aircraft models, with some offering more generous legroom options for an additional fee or through seat selection, while others may provide a more compact seating configuration. Image by Kelly from pexels
On the plus side, contemporary advancements have resulted in larger in-flight entertainment screens, and those annoying floor-mounted boxes restricting legroom have become a thing of the past.
Plus, USB ports and AC power are generally available in economy, making staying connected and entertained during your flight easier.
So, with many top airlines vying for your attention, let's dive into the specifics to identify which ones come out on top in this legroom war!
Qantas
Qantas' luxurious Airbus A380-800 superjumbo flying the Sydney-London route carries a seat pitch of 78.7 centimetres and a width of 44.5 centimetres.Moreover, their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, operating on two of the world's longest routes: Perth to London and New York via Auckland, provides a generous seat pitch of 81.3 centimetres and a width of 43.7 centimetres.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines offers a significant pitch of at least 81.3 centimetres and a comfy seat width from 44.5 to 48.3 centimetres across all their widebody jets.The upper figures are on their A380, A330, and Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
Delta Air Lines
The LA to Australia haul on their Airbus A350-900 offers a seat pitch varying between 78.7 and 81.3 centimetres, and the width is a comfortable 45.7 centimetres.ANA
ANA's spacious seat pitch varies between 78.7 and 86.4 centimetres, with the Boeing 787-9s topping that range at 86.4 centimetres, albeit the width is slightly compromised, coming in at 44 centimetres.Emirates
Every economy class seat on an Emirates widebody aircraft guarantees a pitch of at least 81.3 centimetres, with some even receiving a generous 86.4 centimetres. Seat width fluctuates between 43.2 and 45.7 centimetres.Qatar Airways
Qatar's older Airbus aircraft have a seat pitch of 81.3-83.8 centimetres and a width of 44.5-45.7 centimetres. Newer aircraft like the 787 Dreamliners have a seat pitch of 78.7 centimetres, while some A350s offer 81.3 centimetres.Certain Boeing 777s have a seat pitch of 83.8 centimetres. The most spacious option is the two-class Boeing 777-200LR with no Q suites, featuring a seat pitch at the top of the range and a generous 48-centimetre width. However, this type is being phased out, with only two aircraft left in the Qatar fleet.
Cathay Pacific
No matter the aircraft, you're looking at a spacious 81.3 centimetres seat pitch on Cathay's widebody planes.United Airlines
Boeing 787-9, operating between LA and Australia, promises a seat pitch of 78.7-81.3 centimetres and a width of 43.9 centimetres.Japan Airlines (JAL)
The airline uses Boeing 787-8s for flights between Melbourne and Tokyo's Narita and provides a fantastic pitch of 83.8 centimetres alongside a width of 45.7-48 centimetres. Their economy-class seats are arguably among the roomiest for any airline flying into Australia.Jetstar
Jetstar, the budget carrier, uses Boeing 787 Dreamliners for its international flights, offering a pitch of 76.2 centimetres and a width of 43.2 centimetres, making it the tightest among the airlines surveyed.
In conclusion, Asian carriers like Emirates and Qatar tend to offer slightly more generous seat pitches than Qantas, United, and Delta.
In the race for extra legroom, Japan Airlines is a standout, whereas budget airline Jetstar is on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Remember to factor in these details as you plan for your next adventure because, as a wise man once said, the journey matters as much as the destination! Safe travels, everyone!
Which airline's legroom would you prioritise when planning your next long-haul trip? Are you more inclined towards carriers with generous seat pitches, or do you consider other factors more important in your travel experience? Share your preferences and insights with us!
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