Knowledge Builders

how wide is an airplane seat

by Shannon Roberts Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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17.2 inches wide

What airline has the widest seats?

  • JetBlue. JetBlue touts itself as having the most legroom of any US airline with a pitch of 32-33 inches.
  • Southwest.
  • Alaska.
  • American.
  • United.
  • Delta.
  • Hawaiian.
  • Allegiant Air.

What are the best seats in an airplane?

What are the best seats on a plane?

  • Best seat for a smooth ride: A seat over the wing
  • Best seat for sleepers: A window seat near the front
  • Best seat for maximum legroom: An aisle seat in the second exit row
  • Best seat for a quick plane exit: Any seat close to the front of the plane (on the left side for dual aisle aircraft)

More items...

How big is the space under an airplane seat?

The amount of space under a seat varies slightly from airline to airline, and different planes also have different under-seat dimensions. For a Delta Airlines Boeing 757-300, the under-seat dimensions are 20 inches wide, 17 inches deep and about 11 inches tall. For an American Airlines 737-800, the under-seat dimensions are 20 inches by 17 ...

How to choose the best seat on an airplane?

How to get the seat you want

  • Upgrade to main economy. Basic economy fares typically don’t allow you to select your seat at booking (though most allow you to do so at check-in).
  • Book early. Booking early also helps ensure you get the seat you want, as the earlier you book, the more options that will be available.
  • Pay extra. ...
  • Check in early. ...
  • Look for upgrades. ...

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How wide is the average airplane seat?

to 17 inchesSince the beginning of the 21st Century until 2018 average seat width decreased from 18.5 to 17 inches, and sometimes as low as 16.1 inches. Slimline seats weigh less than full-size seats, and are claimed to allow airlines to increase capacity without significantly affecting passenger comfort.

How big can you be to fit in airplane seat?

Check seat belt length before buying a ticketAirlineSeat Belt LengthAmerican Airlines45 to 47 inchesDelta40 to 45 inchesHawaiian Airlines51 inches (42 inches for bulkhead seats)JetBlue45 inches4 more rows•Jan 30, 2020

Will a size 22 fit in an airplane seat?

A size 22 won't have difficulty fitting in a airline seat, and doing up the seat belt.

At what size do you need two airline seats?

At What Size Do You Need Two Airline Seats? There isn't a specific size at which you will suddenly have to purchase two airline seats. Generally, all airlines will require passengers to comfortably fit within one seat with the armrests down. If you can do this, you will not have to purchase an additional seat.

Which airline is best for obese passengers?

5 Best Airlines for Overweight PassengersJetBlue. JetBlue is the best airline for overweight passengers with their 18.4-inch seats and pitch range of up to 41 inches, though on most flights the pitch range will be between 32-35 inches. ... Delta Air Lines. ... Air Canada. ... American Airlines. ... Spirit Airlines.

Can a 400 lb person fly?

FAT ISSUES IN THE AIR There is no legal weight limit for passengers on U.S. commercial flights but some airlines such as Southwest ask customers who cannot fit into one seat to book two. It says if a passenger cannot lower the armrests on one set they must buy another - whatever they weigh.

Will a 300 pound person fit in an airplane seat?

Is there a weight or size limit for airline passengers? Dear Reader, There is no set weight limit for passengers on commercial flights in the U.S., but some airlines, most notably Southwest, require customers who cannot fit in one seat to book a second.

What happens if you can't fit in an airplane seat?

If airline staff determines that you will not fit into one seat, they can require you to purchase another one. The seat will be offered at the lowest possible fare at the time of purchase.

At what size do you need a seat belt extender?

American. American's seatbelts are 45″ long. If a customer's body extends more than 1 inch beyond the outermost edge of the armrest and a seat belt extension is needed, another seat is required.

Which airline has the widest seats in economy class?

Jet Blue is the leader in the “most pitch” and “widest seat” contest because the majority of their economy and coach class seats are roomy.

Do obese have to buy 2 plane tickets?

Customers who are not able to safely and comfortably fit in a single seat are required to purchase an additional seat for each leg of their itinerary. The criteria are the same as other airlines described above.

Can an overweight person fly?

If you're flying overweight, it's important to find an airline that can accommodate you before you book your flight. Many airline seats have gotten smaller, so it's crucial to understand airline size requirements for flights. Some airlines, like JetBlue, have slightly larger seats, perfect for an overweight traveler.

Will a 300 pound person fit in an airplane seat?

Is there a weight or size limit for airline passengers? Dear Reader, There is no set weight limit for passengers on commercial flights in the U.S., but some airlines, most notably Southwest, require customers who cannot fit in one seat to book a second.

Can an overweight person fly?

If you're flying overweight, it's important to find an airline that can accommodate you before you book your flight. Many airline seats have gotten smaller, so it's crucial to understand airline size requirements for flights. Some airlines, like JetBlue, have slightly larger seats, perfect for an overweight traveler.

What happens if you can't fit in an airplane seat?

If airline staff determines that you will not fit into one seat, they can require you to purchase another one. The seat will be offered at the lowest possible fare at the time of purchase.

What is XL seat in flight?

Rows 29A and 29F are extra legroom seats. The emergency exits are located next to rows 18, 19, 28 and 29 A and 29F. We offer advance seat reservations to our passengers; you may choose a window seat, aisle seat, or a seat with extra legroom.

What size is too big for an airline seat?

You can feel too big for an airline seat if you’re tall, overweight, or both. There aren’t any hard and fast rules about how tall or large you can be before flying is restricted, however.

Why do airlines have a size limit?

Some airlines have a size limit for their seats, and they can either refuse to allow passengers to board, or they can request that passengers either upgrade their seat or purchase a second seat.

What are the amenities on a premium economy seat?

Some of the amenities offered by various airlines in their premium economy class seats include earplugs, socks, toothbrushes, and sleep masks, among others.

How many seats are there on a Boeing 747?

On planes such as the Boeing 747-400, economy seats usually number three seats on each of the window sides of the plane and four seats in the middle section. This allows both for more comfort and for more passengers on the flight. Typically, economy seats are 17 to 18 inches wide and have legroom – known as the pitch – of 31 to 32 inches.

How wide is an economy seat?

Typically, economy seats are 17 to 18 inches wide and have legroom – known as the pitch – of 31 to 32 inches. Instead of this 3-4-3 layout, many smaller airplanes have a 2-3-2 layout, but these smaller airplanes don’t always fly internationally.

How much legroom does a plane seat have?

The plane seats themselves are also a little nicer, and they can have up to six inches more legroom and are even a little wider as well.

How wide is a business class seat?

More often than not, business class seats are usually 21 inches wide and have legroom that is 57 inches. This means that they have three to four inches more width and twice the amount of legroom as economy class seats. With some airlines, the seats are even bigger.

What is the class of seats on a plane called?

Economy class seats, also called coach or standard seats, are the basic types of airline seats that most people think of when they think about getting on a plane.

What does the seat on an airplane mean?

Seats on airplanes usually correspond to the price of the ticket and the type of passenger they are meant to accommodate.

How wide is an airline seat?

The average airline seat width used to be around 18 inches. While some still do offer that you'll find a lot more scaling down into 17 inches and under. It's become a problem, so much so that even Congress got involved last year with its SEAT Act of 2017. This bill is in the first stages of the legislative process, ...

How wide is the seat on Hawaiian Airlines?

Hawaiian Airlines: Customers flying on Hawaiian Airlines will be happy to know that they'll still enjoy an 18-inch seat width across most of the airline's entire fleet. The exception being the new Airbus A321NEO, which offers a slimmed down 17.7” seat.

What size seat do you get on an AA flight?

American Airlines: With such a variety of planes in its fleet, it's a lot harder to pin down what exact seat width you'll receive on your AA flight. Overall flying on an Airbus will get you a smidge more room on American ranging on average from about 17 to 17.7, but on several versions of the A320 and A330, there are a handful of seats with a tight 16.3 seat width. Avoid flying the new 737 MAX and 737-800 planes from American. Alongside a dismal 30" pitch, they also sport seats that can have diameters as tight as 15.9 and 16.6 inches. While the average seat size you'll get on American is a smidge under 17 inches, try for the older Airbuses or 767s as they tend to have the most cushion coverage.

What airline has 17 inch seats?

Allegiant Airlines: Another airline comprised of all Airbuses*, however, Allegiant's seats are slimmed down compared to other ULCC competitors to an average of 17 inches wide, with some select seats tightening the belt at 16.5”. (*Allegiant also operates McDonnell Douglas MDs, but Airbuses will replace them by the end of November 2018. They also feature an average of 17-inch seat widths. Travel should be avoided on those models due to a history of mechanical issues).

How wide is a coach seat on a Boeing 737?

Sun Country: According to Sun Country's website, its narrowest coach seat width is 16.1 while its widest is 17.3. So if we pin it somewhere in the middle, you can expect a below average 16.7-inch seat width’s amongst the airlines fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. To make matters worse, Sun Country is refitting their planes to cram in more seats (from 168 to 183) and eliminating the first-class cabin. While this move will mostly impact seat pitch, it will also remove a buy-up option for a wider seat so that every single seat on the plane will have a below industry average.

How many inches does a 787 Dreamliner seat?

Flying on a newer 787 Dreamliner will only bump you a measly fraction of an inch up to 17.3, not so dreamy after all. As far as Boeing operated flights, hope for a 767 as those have United’s best offerings at 18.5-inch seats but are rarely used on domestic routes. United’s airbuses don’t fare too much better.

How wide is a 757?

The common 737 and 757s have a smaller 17.3-inch width, but on the 767 and 777, you'll sit prettier with a 17.9 - 18.1-inch layout. Delta's regional partners like SkyWest and Compass that mostly serve smaller connecting airports offer Embraer aircraft with a generous 18.3” width and Bombardier planes with an inch smaller frame of 17.3” seats. ...

How wide is an 11-19 seat plane?

11-19 Seat Passenger Airplanes. The minimum aisle width of planes that fall within this category is 12 inches from the floor to a height of 25 inches and 20 inches above a 25-inch height. Although the airplanes under this category are also mostly light aircraft, they tend to be multi-engined.

How tall is a 10 seater plane?

For airplanes with 10 or fewer seats, the FAA specifies that their minimum aisle width must be 12 inches from the floor to a height of 25 inches and 15 inches above a 25-inch height. Airplanes under this category are mostly light aircraft and they include:

Why Aren’t Airplane Aisles Wider?

You may ask; if safety is the paramount factor in aviation, why can’t airliners just widen the width of aisles in airplanes and allow passengers more comfort? The simple answer to this question is that airliners want to maximize cabin space so that more passengers can fit into an airliner.

How wide is the aisle on a plane?

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Seat and Aisle Regulations, the width of airplane aisles ranges from 12 to 20 inches depending on the size of the plane and its passenger seating capacity.

Why is the aisle width 90 seconds?

This system of safety verification is known as the 90-second rule. Although the 90-second rule is a general concept in dealing with stressful situations , it is used in aviation as a safety check for aisle width and general cabin space.

What is the aisle width of a Boeing?

Therefore, it is safe to say that the aisle width of the last Boeing or Airbus flight that you took was between 15 to 20 or more inches. Examples of airplanes that fall under this category are: Antonov An-140. Airbus A320. Airbus A330.

Why do airlines have smaller aisles?

In order to gain more revenue from ticket sales, airlines seek various ways to fit in more passengers into their airliners. As a result, the sizes of airplane seats and aisle widths have diminished with time. This measure may not be desirable to the passenger, but the airlines argue that it keeps them profitable enough to be operational.

How wide are airplane seats?

Well, these are those sorts of questions that do not have a specific figure answer. However, generally, the seats of airplanes are 17-18 inches wide. Though there are also different seat designs that can contribute to the wideness or narrowness factor.

Why is the seat on a Boeing 737 so narrow?

For instance, if you consider the American Airlines Boeing 737, it comes with a curvy fuselage. This causes the seat to be slightly narrower than usual ones. Then another example could be US Airways Airbus A330. The seat follows a certain tray table design that causes it to feel narrow.

What seats are good for moving?

Window or Aisle seats are great for having a tad bit of extra room to move. Try to avoid bulkhead seats.

Can you use an inflatable seat belt extender?

Keep In Mind – inflatable seat belts are a common thing for some airlines. And in such a case, you may not be able to use the carried seat belt extender for the particular seats.

Can you bring seat belt extenders on a plane?

Well, the FAA has shown less interest in recommending passengers to bring seat belt extenders. Because any belt or extender provided by airlines goes through inspection and maintenance. However, the one you would bring is a different case. Even the ones that come with FAA approval can get rejected inside a plane for use.

How wide are airplane seats?

The airlines are looking for any edge they can get over their competitors, so seat sizes are one way many of them try to distinguish themselves from the others. Nonetheless, seat sizes continue to shrink overall from an average width of about 18 inches decades ago to around 16 inches today, according to Fortune magazine.

How are airline seat widths determined?

A few years back, Frontier Airlines added an inch to its middle seats on its Airbus planes, giving fliers 19.1 inches. But those seats only make up 33% of available cabin spots on the plane.

How many inches between seatbacks on a plane?

First-class seating arrangements typically give you wider seats — about 20 inches on average — but if you add wider arm rests, which some airlines also include, you’ll get around 28 inches between seatback center, according to SmarterTravel.com. In the main cabin, passengers lose as much as four inches between seat widths and arm rests, on average.

How wide is the seat on a Delta plane?

But those seats only make up 33% of available cabin spots on the plane. Delta Airlines trumpets that it has seats as wide as 18.3 inches, but those are only on the Embraer aircraft, which are used by its partner Skywest Airlines on Delta Connection flights. In fact, most of the airlines that say they have the most space on their planes are talking ...

What airline has 17" armrests?

Boeing 737-700. 8. Alaska Airlines. 17″. (Defined as armrest to armrest) on all planes. 9. Comparing seat width is all fine and good, but to save some real money, you’ll want to know when to buy your plane ticket. Here is the best day of the week to do that, according to money expert Clark Howard.

How wide is Ryanair?

Ryanair has the same 17" (43 cm) seat widthas BA, and easyJet has 18" (46 cm) seat width- the difference is that seat pitch (distance) is a good 4-5" (10–13 cm) less than 'full-cost' airlines. If that's not a concern, buying two seats on a budget airline will be cheaper.

Why do airlines ask overweight people to get two seats?

The reason why airlines implement a policy of asking overweight people to get two seats is an air safety issue of whether they can be strapped in properly. The guideline used for this is whether a passenger can fit between the armrests. If a passenger requires two seats, then the policy differs from airline-to-airline if/what the passenger should be charged for it.

How to see what airline policy is?

Basically, it comes down to the airline. You can see what their policy is by looking up their Conditions of Carriage. Very few do specify exactly something about weight/height/size, but will merely talk about 'a passenger's physical state causing discomfort to other passengers or crew', which is more likely to be used against those intoxicated, or if you tried to board while say, covered in manure??

Does Southwest offer a discount on second seat?

Many airlines offer a discount on the second seat for Passengers of Size. I think Southwest's is 50%. Also, if you are seated next to a Pax of Size and feel your experience is hindered, tell the Flight Attendant or Agent beforethey close the door. If you choose not to fly, there is a very good chance they will re-accommodate you at no charge.

Do I need a seatbelt extension for a BA flight?

I am 6'3" and pushing 400 pounds and I have never had a problem on BA flights. Yes I need a seatbelt extension but only so I will be comfortable. I admittedly do fit between the armrests.

How many inches should you put under a seat?

According to airline policy, any items to be stowed beneath seats should not exceed 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches.

How big is a 757 carry-on?

But if you forgo a larger carry-on, you can bring a larger item to stow under the seat, which is 17” deep, about 10” tall, and 20” wide ( on a 757 ).

How big is the Alaska Airlines carry-on luggage?

The maximum size for carry-on luggage is 24 inches (including wheels and handles) by 17 inches by 10 inches. The seat width is approximately 17 inches.

How big can you carry on JetBlue?

JetBlue. Under-the-seat baggage can not exceed 17 inches by 13 inches by 8 inches on all JetBlue flights. The airline's fleet is made up of Airbus A321s, which is why the size restriction is uniform.

Do carry-ons have to fit in the overhead bin?

Not only is it where we put our feet, all carry-on items not in the overhead bin must fit perfectly underneath the seat ahead. Any items that stick out could pose a safety hazard during emergency evacuation, so flight attendants are usually pretty stringent on this rule.

Does a Boeing 737 have the same seats as a Bombardier Q400?

It's important to note that the space under the seats varies depending on the aircraft — a Boeing 737 won't have the same seats as a Bombardier Q400 — as well as by individual seat. The middle seat, hated for every other reason, is likely to have the most space for underseat items.

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A Guide to Seat Width on US-based Airlines

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While I’ve listed airlines with the best legroom in economy here, it’s not only your knees getting squeezed in; your waistline is losing some real estate too. Probably not in the way you wished, either. While seat pitch (the distance from the back of the seat in front of you to the back of your seat) has a wider variety and can be ad…
See more on airfarewatchdog.com

Best Bets

  • JetBlue:Not only does JetBlue boast one of the widest seats with an average of 18 inches across on its A320 & A319’s it still maintains the most legroom of any U.S. airline when it comes to seat pitch too (32-33”). With live TV entertainment on each seat back JetBlue provides the most consistent and comfortable chair out of any US-based airline. Hawaiian Airlines:Customers flyin…
See more on airfarewatchdog.com

Industry Average

  • Southwest Airlines: If flying Southwest, aim for the newer Boeing 737-800 MAX planes. They feature what Southwest claims is the USA’s widest economy 737 seats, with a width of 17.8 inches. Otherwise, you can expect a 17-inch spread across the fleet of its older 737 variations. Alaska Airlines: Alaska offers an average seat width of 17 inches across...
See more on airfarewatchdog.com

Airlines to Avoid

  • American Airlines: With such a variety of planes in its fleet, it's a lot harder to pin down what exact seat width you'll receive on your AA flight. Overall flying on an Airbus will get you a smidge more room on American ranging on average from about 17 to 17.7, but on several versions of the A320 and A330, there are a handful of seats with a tight 16.3 seat width. Avoid flying the new 737 MA…
See more on airfarewatchdog.com

1.What Size Is Too Big To Fit In An Airline Seat?

Url:https://measuringstuff.com/what-size-is-too-big-to-fit-in-an-airline-seat/

26 hours ago  · The standard width of an airplane seat on a U.S. commercial flight is 17 inches wide, with a seat pitch (legroom) of 30-32 inches. However, if you’re looking for the most comfortable flying experience as possible, you’ll want to know which airlines have the widest seats and which airlines should be avoided due to their narrow seats.

2.The Different Types of Airplane Seats On International …

Url:https://aerocorner.com/blog/types-of-airplane-seats/

32 hours ago  · This, of course, varies from airline to airline, and even different planes from the same airline will have different seat sizes. In general, seats in the main cabin measure between 16 and 18 inches wide. Seats in first class are usually a bit roomier, often measuring between 19 and 21 inches. Most North American and European airlines have slightly larger seats, while Asian …

3.Airline Seat Guide: The Best (and Worst) U.S. Airlines for …

Url:https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/44255063/u-s-airlines-with-the-widest-seats-in-coach/

21 hours ago This allows both for more comfort and for more passengers on the flight. Typically, economy seats are 17 to 18 inches wide and have legroom – known as the pitch – of 31 to 32 inches. Instead of this 3-4-3 layout, many smaller airplanes have a 2-3-2 layout, but these smaller airplanes don’t always fly internationally.

4.Videos of How Wide Is An airplane seat

Url:/videos/search?q=how+wide+is+an+airplane+seat&qpvt=how+wide+is+an+airplane+seat&FORM=VDRE

22 hours ago  · However, generally, the seats of airplanes are 17-18 inches wide. Though there are also different seat designs that can contribute to the wideness or narrowness factor. For instance, if you consider the American Airlines Boeing 737, it comes with a curvy fuselage. This causes the seat to be slightly narrower than usual ones.

5.How Wide Are Airplane Aisles? – HighSkyFlying

Url:https://www.highskyflying.com/how-wide-are-airplane-aisles/

9 hours ago  · On London to Sweden flights, British Airways flies Airbus A319/A320-100/200 aircraft with a seat width of 17" (43 cm) in Economy and 18.5" (47 cm) in Premium Economy ("World Traveller Plus"). Premium economy is not as expensive as business class and if you have frequent flyer points, you may be able to get the upgrade cheap.

6.Worried About Waist Size to Fit in Airline Seat? (Know More)

Url:https://outdoortag.com/waist-size-to-fit-in-airline-seat/

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7.Airlines with the widest and narrowest seats in coach

Url:https://clark.com/travel/airlines-widest-narrowest-seats-coach/

28 hours ago

8.air travel - How big is "too big" for an airline seat? At what …

Url:https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/3356/how-big-is-too-big-for-an-airline-seat-at-what-point-will-you-be-required-to

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9.U.S. Airlines Underseat Dimensions — What to Know

Url:https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/airplane-under-seat-storage-space

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