So how bad is a 31 inch seat pitch
Jul 24, 2014, 12:29 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Programs: AS,WN,UA,B6,hotels
Posts: 4,239
It depends. Factors to consider:
* Your leg length (not overall height).
* Thick versus thin airline seats. (Thin = more room, but less padding.)
* Reclinability of seat in front of you.
You can compare seat pitch with that of airlines more familiar to you at http://www.seatguru.com . But 31" is common for economy class in US airlines.
I don't think seat pitch was any bigger in the 1990s and 2000s.
* Your leg length (not overall height).
* Thick versus thin airline seats. (Thin = more room, but less padding.)
* Reclinability of seat in front of you.
You can compare seat pitch with that of airlines more familiar to you at http://www.seatguru.com . But 31" is common for economy class in US airlines.
I don't think seat pitch was any bigger in the 1990s and 2000s.
Last edited by tjl; Jul 24, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Jul 24, 2014, 1:17 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
5'8", 32" inseam. My recent flights were apparently 31" pitch and 17.9" width. I'll second what gobluetwo said -- leg room was ok, but it was ... cozy.
Jul 24, 2014, 2:25 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 74
sure, it's one inch more than 31" but noticeably less than what SQ normall
has.... it was living hell on SQ long haul flights for tall guys like myself.
not to mention the fact that the Singapore Girls on that flight were downright
scary with make-up skills of teenage girls. SQ is still good, but not as great as
it once was....
Jul 24, 2014, 4:50 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 74
Jul 25, 2014, 4:24 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Programs: Delta Silver thanks to Million Miles; Choice Plat., point scrounger everywhere
Posts: 1,595
I'm 5-10 as well, and I find almost any seat pitch quite roomy. My problem is with seat width. A 17-inch seat would be murder for me, and an 18-inch seat isn't really any better. It isn't my butt, it's my arm and trying not to touch or be touched by my neighbor.
Jul 25, 2014, 6:39 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
Simple mathematical progression, for me, also a 5'8" person 
:
:- 31" - OK for up to 1 hour
- 32" - OK for up to 2 hours
- 33" - OK for up to 3 hours
- 34" - OK for up to 4 hours
- 35" - OK for up to 5 hours
- 36" - OK for up to 6 hours
- 37" - OK for up to 7 hours
- 38" - OK for up to 8 hours (domestic first class seat)
- Int'l Business - Over 8 hours
Jul 26, 2014, 7:23 am
#24
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 319
Jul 26, 2014, 7:35 am
#25
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 319
I've flown Rouge Premium 3 times on the A319....35 inch seat pitch 18 inch wide...I'm 6'3 225 llbs...the pitch was just bearable for a 3 hour flight...so anything less must be pretty horrific...31 inch is a no go for me and Rouge Economy 29 inch is a criminal seat pitch as far as I am concerned at least I can't fit in those.....back to Rouge Premium...the seats are the exact same slimline seats as in economy and are super uncomfortable...very short seat cushion, bad lumbar support and rock hard...have to shift position every 10-15 minutes to avoid bruised-butt syndrome. Horrible horrible seats for a premium price.