Top airlines that give you the most economy-class legroom

Choose your next long-haul flight based on how much leg room you'll be getting

Last updated: November 01, 2018 | 00:24

3 MIN READ

Suhyeon Choi/Unsplash

Legroom is a very important factor when travelling. When you're seated at 30,000 feet in the air for several hours at a time, you just want to get to your destination as soon as possible.

Lately, many travellers have noticed that there are limited number of airlines that provide pillows, blankets or free snacks, but one of the most challenging aspects of comfort are the shrinking seat sizes.

We've compiled an airline legroom guide from a global airline award-giving body which came up with the best economy class seats of 2017.

How do we measure legroom?

Japan Airlines Economy Seat (Source: JAL)

'Seat pitch' is the technical term used by airlines to identify the distance from your seat to the seat in front or behind you.

In layman’s terms we call it “legroom.” It affects your movement as the cushions, seatback structure and tray table can be a hindrance to your ease of travel.

We measured the legroom in centimeters (cm).

How much difference does an extra inch make?

Most airlines across the world offer 78.74cm - 81.28cm of legroom space, while some elite airlines give you a more comfortable 86.36cm legroom.

Legroom is one of the greatest factors that affect the comfort of the passenger. Some airlines think it's important to give people as much legroom as possible, while others want to squeeze in as many passengers as possible.

Our spine is most comfortable in a seat when our legs are able to stretch.

Comparing UAE airlines

Emirates: 83.82cm

Etihad Airways: 78.74cm

FlyDubai: 78.74cm

Air Arabia: 81.28cm

Best Economy Class Airline Seats 2017

Airlines To and From UAE Legroom or Seat Pitch Avianca 86.36cm Royal Jordanian 86.36cm Saudi Arabian 86.36cm Egyptair 83.82cm Estonian Air 83.82cm EVA Air 83.82cm Frontier Airlines 83.82cm TAP Air Portugal 83.82cm WestJet 83.82cm Japan Airlines 83.82cm Aegean Airlines 81.28cm Aer Lingus 81.28cm Aeroflot 81.28cm Air Algerie 81.28cm Air Austral 81.28cm Air Mauritius 81.28cm Air Namibia 81.28cm Air Serbia 81.28cm Air Seychelles 81.28cm Air Tahiti Nui 81.28cm Air Transat 81.28cm AirAsiaX 81.28cm Aircalin 81.28cm Alaska Airlines 81.28cm Alitalia 81.28cm ANA All Nippon Airways 81.28cm Austrian Airlines 81.28cm China Airlines 81.28cm Copa Airlines 81.28cm Cubana Airlines 81.28cm Czech Airlines 81.28cm Delta Air Lines 81.28cm Ethiopian Airlines 81.28cm Fiji Airways 81.28cm Finnair 81.28cm Iberia 81.28cm Icelandair 81.28cm JetBlue Airways 81.28cm Kenya Airways 81.28cm Kuwait Airways 81.28cm LAN 81.28cm LOT Polish Airlines 81.28cm Luxair 81.28cm Mahan Air 81.28cm Malaysia Airlines 81.28cm Meridiana 81.28cm Middle East Airlines 81.28cm NIKI 81.28cm Pakistan Int'l 81.28cm Philippine Airlines 81.28cm Royal Air Maroc 81.28cm Royal Brunei 81.28cm SAS Scandinavian 81.28cm SilkAir 81.28cm Singapore Airlines 81.28cm Southwest Airlines 81.28cm SriLankan Airlines 81.28cm Tarom Romanian 81.28cm Tunisair 81.28cm Turkish Airlines 81.28cm Vietnam Airlines 81.28cm Asiana Airlines 81.28cm Caribbean Airlines 81.28cm Garuda Indonesia 81.28cm Qatar Airways 81.28cm Thai Airways 81.28cm Aerolineas Argentinas 81.28cm Gulf Air 81.28cm Korean Air 81.28cm Oman Air 81.28cm Aeromexico 78.74cm Air Caraibes 78.74cm Air France 78.74cm AirTran Airways 78.74cm American Eagle 78.74cm British Airways 78.74cm Cathay Pacific 78.74cm flyBe 78.74cm Hawaiian Airlines 78.74cm Iran Air 78.74cm Jetstar 78.74cm K L M 78.74cm Lufthansa 78.74cm Monarch Airlines 78.74cm Olympic Air 78.74cm Qantas Airways 78.74cm Swiss 78.74cm TAM Airlines 78.74cm United Airlines 78.74cm Virgin America 78.74cm Virgin Australia 78.74cm WOW 78.74cm South African Airways 78.74 - 86.36cm Air Canada 78.74 - 83.82cm Air China 78.74 - 83.82cm Air India 78.74 - 83.82cm Air Berlin 78.74cm Air Astana 78.74cm Air New Zealand 78.74cm American Airlines 78.74cm Brussels Airlines 78.74cm China Eastern 78.74cm China Southern 78.74cm Cyprus Airways 78.74cm Dragonair 78.74cm Hainan Airlines 78.74cm Jet Airways 78.74cm Norwegian 78.74cm S7 Airlines 78.74cm Virgin Atlantic 78.74cm Air Malta 76.2cm ArkeFly 76.2cm Ryanair 76.2cm Thomson Airways 76.2cm Ukraine Int'l 76.2cm Condor Airlines 76.2cm AirAsia 73.66cm easyJet 73.66cm Thomas Cook 73.66cm

Source: Skytrax, a U.K.-based travel consultancy that runs what it calls the "world's largest review sit." The body awards winners of its annual World Airline Awards from reviews by more than 18 million passengers that represent more than 100 countries.

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