What Airline Has Best Coach Seats?
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, LH Senator, VA Velocity Platinum, Marriott Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,010
Originally Posted by spike74
I liked the "More Room Throughout Coach" that American had but that has been scaled back. What airline has the most comfortable coach seats, most room etc?
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, IHG Spire Elite, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle, HH Silver
Posts: 806
Among the majors, United's "Economy Plus" has the most room. It's usually only availalble to UA/*A elites and full-fare passengers.
Air New Zealand's new "Pacific Economy" has a 34" pitch, which seems pretty nice.
Air New Zealand's new "Pacific Economy" has a 34" pitch, which seems pretty nice.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greater Chicagoland Area
Programs: frontier Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,455
As already mentioned, UA's E+, but also certain bulkhead seats (for the legroom) on UA. I imagine WN exit rows would be theoretically easier to snag for a nonfrequent flier though. As already mentioned, E+ require status or expensive fares (or the infrequent E+ paid upgrade offer during check-in). Premier Ex or higher status is needed on UA to prereserve exit row seats. For WN, one just has to check in online right at midnight and then be first in line (as I understand it, as I've never flown WN).
E+ is a huge reason that I flew UA, btw, and a huge reason why I'll make sure I at least maintain my 2P status for next year.
E+ is a huge reason that I flew UA, btw, and a huge reason why I'll make sure I at least maintain my 2P status for next year.
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,574
YX has the width, but not the best seat pitch. Fortunately, I can almost always get exit row when I fly them, which is wonderful. No one can book exit row online, and since most people are already happy with their seat assignment on YX , few people ask for a switch at the airport. I flew two YX segments last weekend: on one, I was the only person occupying any of the eight exit row seats. On the other, there were three of us sitting exit row.
The best part about YX is that, for the most part, their small planes and 2x2 seating mean a passenger load that their staff can handle. That means you can usually check a bag without waiting in line, and the bags get to the carousel within minutes. Add in mostly uncrowded boarding areas and you get a pretty low-stress flying experience.
But back to seats...
WN is better than you'd expect. Of course these days you have to print your own boarding pass to have a chance at an A, but that's fine: give 'em credit for saving a few bucks on paper. I usually can't get exit row because from MCI there are almost always a few through pax that have reshuffled into those seats. If the flight is not 100% sold out, I usually go straight to the back and grab a window, and then the middle seat remains empty.
The best part about YX is that, for the most part, their small planes and 2x2 seating mean a passenger load that their staff can handle. That means you can usually check a bag without waiting in line, and the bags get to the carousel within minutes. Add in mostly uncrowded boarding areas and you get a pretty low-stress flying experience.
But back to seats...
WN is better than you'd expect. Of course these days you have to print your own boarding pass to have a chance at an A, but that's fine: give 'em credit for saving a few bucks on paper. I usually can't get exit row because from MCI there are almost always a few through pax that have reshuffled into those seats. If the flight is not 100% sold out, I usually go straight to the back and grab a window, and then the middle seat remains empty.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Near Barcelona, Spain
Programs: DL nothing now, HH Gold
Posts: 70
Avianca also has standard 34" seats in economy, with very, very good reclining (for economy). No IFE. Good food service, with plenty of alcoholic beverages. Was gladly surprised on a recent MAD-BOG segment, where I was expecting a worst experience than other airlines flying the same route. I was wrong.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Citizen of Canada, Member of the World!
Programs: AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AF, AG... you get the picture
Posts: 2,091
SQ and TG, with their ultra-longhaul flights I believe have 37" pitch on their economy seats. Something about giving pax a few more inches is cheaper than the thousands of cases of DVT lawsuits that they might otherwise face.
Plus, their IFE and food ain't too shabby either.
Plus, their IFE and food ain't too shabby either.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: DL SM, Marriot PLT, Tall guy in need of legroom
Posts: 1,478
Jetblue has 34" from rows 12-26 and a nice leather seat (18" wide as well) with Direct TV. Best coach seat/product I've had.
UA E+ is nice. Legroom about the same as Jetblue but no Direct TV.
UA E+ is nice. Legroom about the same as Jetblue but no Direct TV.