Which Airlines Actually Have Your Best Interests at Heart?
You never really know what to expect when you walk onto a plane—especially if it’s your first time flying with them. And even if you have flown with a certain airline before, different flights mix and match planes all the time; what was a comfortable economy experience in one could be a disaster in the other. That’s why we’ve broken down which airlines have some of the widest seats for maximum comfort, and which ones will be a definite tight squeeze.
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1. Japan Airlines (JAL)
JAL’s “SKY WIDER” economy seats are famously generous, and on the 787 they’re listed at about 48 cm between armrests (roughly 18.9 in). That’s the kind of width you’ll notice the moment you settle in, especially on longer sectors. Do yourself a favor and aim for JAL’s 787 routes when you see them on the schedule.
2. Delta Air Lines
Delta’s economy seat width depends heavily on the aircraft, but its newer jets can be impressively roomy. On the Airbus A220, Delta has been cited at 18.6 inches wide in economy, which is near the top of the mainstream U.S. pack! It’s worth filtering for A220 flights if you want that extra space without paying for a different cabin.
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3. JetBlue
JetBlue regularly comes up in conversations, and for good reason. Many of its planes stay in a comfortable range, with reported economy seat widths running roughly 17.8–18.4 in, with the A220 often being a particularly good bet.
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4. Southwest Airlines
Southwest’s standard economy seat width has been cited at 17.5 in, and the airline has also pointed to 17.8 in on its 737 MAX layout. However, the real comfort wildcard is Southwest’s “Customer of Size” approach, where you may be able to secure an extra seat (and potentially get it refunded afterward).
5. Singapore Airlines
On Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350-900, economy is listed at 18 inches wide. If you think about it, that’s a solid step up from the tightest long-haul configurations. That extra width helps most in window and aisle seats, where you’re not negotiating armrest territory with two neighbors at once.
6. Emirates
Emirates’ Airbus A380 economy seat width is listed at 18 in, and the aircraft’s sheer size often makes the cabin feel less boxed in overall. When you’re comparing flights, the A380 is the one many travelers actively hunt for, and seat width is one reason why. That said, don’t assume every Emirates aircraft matches it; check the plane type before you commit.
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7. Turkish Airlines
On Turkish Airlines’ Airbus A350-900, economy is listed at 18 in wide, making it perfect for long-haul flights. If you’re the type who feels every inch on an overnight flight, that width is a practical quality-of-life upgrade. You can even pair it with a seat selection strategy to get the full benefit of the space.
8. Korean Air
Korean Air’s Airbus A350-900 economy is listed at 18 in wide, and the seat pitch shown there is also relatively generous. It’s the kind of combination that makes it easier to stay comfortable without constantly shifting your shoulders and elbows. With both options available, now you know what to pick!
9. EVA Air
EVA Air’s Boeing 777-300ER economy is listed at 18 in wide, which is exactly what you want to see on a seat map. It’s a straightforward, no-drama width that tends to feel noticeably better than tighter 10-across widebody setups.
10. Lufthansa
Lufthansa’s Airbus A350-900 economy is listed at 18 inches wide, and that consistency matters when you’re trying to avoid surprise “squeeze” cabins. It won’t turn economy into a lounge chair, but it does give you a little more breathing room where it counts.
Seat width isn’t uniform across an airline, especially on dense short-haul flights. If shoulder room matters to you, these are the airlines where you’ll want to check the seat map before committing.
1. Ryanair
Ryanair states the minimum width between armrests is 15.5 inches, which is about as snug as commercial flying gets. If you’re broad-shouldered or traveling with a winter coat, you’ll notice the squeeze quickly, especially when the cabin’s full. Booking an aisle seat can help, but it won’t magically create inches.
2. Spirit Airlines
Spirit’s standard seats can run narrow, and its A320 listing shows a 16-inch seat width in economy. You’ll feel that on longer segments, particularly when armrests are fixed, and you’re sharing them with a neighbor who’s equally determined to claim territory. It’s worth considering an upgrade option if you know you’ll be uncomfortable from the start.
3. Allegiant Air
This one isn’t terrible, but it’s not great either. On Allegiant’s Airbus A320, economy seat width is listed at 17 inches. Since these cabins often emphasize density and simplicity, you’re generally trading space for a low fare and a straightforward flight.
4. Jet2.com
Jet2’s Boeing 737-800 seat map lists 17-inch-wide economy seats, and that narrow body layout shows up in shoulder room more than people expect. Thankfully, you can make the ride feel less cramped by avoiding the last row, where comfort is rarely improved by proximity to the cramped bathrooms.
5. Norwegian Air Shuttle
Norwegian’s Boeing 737-800 configurations are shown with a 17.2-inch seat width. That .2 inches might sound like it’s worth something, but you’re still firmly in “tight fit” territory. Because the cabin is designed for efficiency, you’ll likely notice the slimline seat style and the close quarters during boarding and deplaning.
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6. Pegasus Airlines
Pegasus lists 17-inch-wide economy seats on its Boeing 737-800, which pairs predictably with a no-frills, cost-focused cabin. If you’re seated between two other adults, you’ll want to be mindful of how quickly personal space becomes a shared resource. Honestly, choosing your seat early is a good move!
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7. TUI Airways
TUI’s Boeing 737-800 seat map also shows 17-inch-wide seats in economy, keeping shoulder space on the lean side. Since many of these flights are leisure-heavy and fully booked, that limited width can feel more noticeable on the way out than on the way to vacation.
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8. Air India Express
Air India Express lists a 17-inch seat width on its Boeing 737-800 economy layout. You’ll typically get the essentials, but you shouldn’t expect generous personal space as part of the deal. If you’re trying to stay comfortable, pack light.
9. Avelo Airlines
Avelo’s Boeing 737-800 economy configuration is listed at 17 inches wide, which is on the narrow side. The cabin setup is geared toward affordability, so the best strategy is to plan rather than hope for an empty middle seat.
10. American Airlines
American is noted as using exclusively Boeing for its short-haul fleet, and it’s described as offering seats that are mostly 17 inches wide. That measurement won’t shock frequent flyers, but it’s still tight enough that you’ll feel it on a packed flight, especially in standard economy rows.
