How much do airlines charge for extra legroom?

Price increases start at just $20. Those on longer flights can expect to pay between $50 and $75 for the next tier up from standard economy, compared to several hundred in additional fees for some airlines.



In 2026, the cost for extra legroom varies significantly based on the airline and flight duration. For short-haul domestic flights in the US or Europe, prices typically range from $25 to $75 (£20–£60) for a single segment. On long-haul international flights, these fees jump considerably, often falling between $100 and $250 (£80–£200). Major carriers like Delta (Comfort+), United (Economy Plus), and American (Main Cabin Extra) use dynamic pricing, meaning a seat on a flight from New York to London will be much more expensive than a hop from New York to DC. Budget airlines like Ryanair or Spirit often charge a flat, slightly lower fee (around $15–$40) for exit row seats. For 2026 travelers, it is a high-value strategy to check the seat map at the 24-hour check-in window, as airlines sometimes drop the price of remaining extra-legroom seats to encourage last-minute "merchandising" sales to economy passengers.

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Benefits of Extra legroom Even a few inches can deliver a more relaxing in-air experience, particularly for tall flyers. Not all airlines offer the same amount of space, so what appears to be Extra legroom on one airline may be just an inch or two more spacious than standard economy for another.

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In fact, most regular airlines now charge for seat selection anyways. It's often around $10-$30 per seat per flight segment, so if you cave in and pay for that, it can add up quickly. You shouldn't do it. No matter which airline you're flying on, don't ever pay to select a seat.

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If none of these roomier seats are available for free at the online check-in stage, take a chance and simply don't pick a seat. When you get to the airport, there may be unsold extra-legroom seats that then get allocated to you for free. Be nice to the check-in agent and ask if there's an roomy seat she can give you.

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Best seat for legroom: A bulkhead or exit-row seat. Best seat for sleeping: A window seat in a bulkhead row. Best seat for extra space without a seatmate: A seat towards the back. Best seat for a tight connection: A seat closest to the front exit.

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In the U.S., the airlines JetBlue and Southwest consistently offer the most legroom with an average of around 32 inches per seat, although you can find a few JetBlue planes with 33 inches of legroom. Alaska and Hawaiian seats typically have 31 or 32 inches of legroom, too.

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“It goes without saying, but always try to get an exit row seat,” says Paul Miller, founder of Family Skier. “The fact is that many exit row seats have more legroom than a [domestic] first-class seat. This usually involves snagging the seat online at the time of booking or well before the flight.”

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United calls its roomier seats Economy Plus. Economy Plus seats have 34–36 inches of legroom, depending on the plane. They're available on all mainline United flights and some larger jets run by United Express carriers.

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Sometimes found at the front of the cabins in large-bodied aircraft, exit row seats are in very high demand for long-distance economy class flights, especially for tall passengers. On a Boeing 737, for instance, the front cabin or over-wing exit seats have an extra 6-8 inches of pitch with unlimited legroom.

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The following airlines have some seats with widths below 17 inches, making them among the smallest in the industry: Qatar Airways. China Southern. Caribbean Airlines.

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Typically, premium economy will provide about 5-7 extra inches of legroom, plus 1-2 extra inches of seat width and 2-3 extra inches of recline. On a 12+ hour flight, every inch counts, and you're likely to have more room than you would on a short regional flight.

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Reviewing a list of seat pitch measurements, you'll see the typical range is roughly 30–31 inches. Note, however, that while a higher number can mean more legroom, it's not always a direct correlation—if the seat back is thicker, for instance, that means less legroom even if the seat pitch number might be higher.

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If you booked a basic economy fare, you'll have to pay for a seat selection no matter the type of seat. In the example below, prices to choose a seat range from $9-$24 depending on which one you select. If you booked a standard economy fare, you can select any standard seat for free.

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For all fare classes, except Basic Economy, you will be able to pick your seat or change your seat assignment. If you have a Basic Economy ticket, you're able to purchase a seat assignment during booking and up until check-in opens. Learn more about Basic Economy restrictions.

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