What is the difference between economy plus and economy leg room?

Seats in United's Economy class have a width of 17.3 inches, and 31 inches of legroom or seat pitch. United Economy Plus: Economy Plus seating on United has a width of 17.3 inches as well, but 37 inches of legroom. In other words, paying up means getting the same seat, but with 6 extra inches of legroom.



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Economy Plus features standard economy seats with extra legroom. Standard economy includes seat selection and a free carry-on. All three economy classes charge for checked bags on domestic flights.

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Economy Plus is an excellent option for travelers looking for a higher level of comfort but do not want all of the features of a full business-class seat. The economy plus cabin debuted on United in 1999 and is now offered on all mainline aircraft and almost all United Express regional jets.

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Unlike Premium Economy, which is generally separated from Economy, Economy Plus is still part of the main cabin. The main difference is that you have a better seat, with more legroom, and your seat will be right at the front of the cabin.

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That's not too hard to discern when you look at the numbers using the tools above. 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.

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The best airlines for the most legroom
  • US: JetBlue Airways (32” — 34”)
  • Europe: Eurowings (30” — 32”)
  • US: Alaska Airlines (32” — 34”)
  • Europe: TUI Airways (33” — 34”)
  • South America: Aerolíneas Argentinas (32” — 33”)
  • Asia: ANA, Emirates, EVA Airways, Singapore Airlines (32” — 34”)
  • US: United (30” — 34”)


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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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Of course, economy plus seats cost more than regular economy seats, but the exact price depends on routes. Shorter flights under three hours might only cost an extra $30 over the standard economy fare each way. But on long-haul international flights, you might have to pay $100 each way.

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If you're going to sit in economy, you want to be sure you select a Main Cabin Extra seat. These are the best seats you'll find in the rear section of the plane. What makes these seats special is that they have extra pitch — that is, the distance between the seat back of one seat to the seatback of the seat in front.

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The best seats in Economy Class In Economy, I'll typically choose a window or aisle seat near the front of the cabin or at the bulkhead. Another spot I often consider in Economy Class is an aisle seat located about 4-5 rows from the back.

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Best seat for peace and quiet: A seat near the front. 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.

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The airline gives 29–34 inches of legroom on all flights in Economy Class. On short-haul flights, the airline gives 37–39 inches of legroom in Business Class. On long-haul flights, the airline gives 38 inches of legroom in Premium Economy and 75–80 inches in Business Class.

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The best seats on a plane
  • Best seat for minimizing the effects of turbulence: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for peace and quiet: A seat near the front.
  • Best seat for legroom: A bulkhead or exit-row seat.
  • Best seat for sleeping: A window seat in a bulkhead row.


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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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U.S. Airlines with the Best Legroom Alaska and Hawaiian seats typically have 31 or 32 inches of legroom, too. Delta, American, and United all offer between 30 and 32 inches of legroom depending on the aircraft, with Delta typically sticking closer to a full 32 inches of legroom.

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If you're flying across the country, it's normal to pay an extra $100-$300 for an Economy Plus ticket, while Premium Economy will set you back at least $300 more than a standard ticket. If you're flying internationally, you could pay as much as double the price of an Economy ticket.

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Worst of all for legroom are ultra-low-fare carriers Spirit and Frontier Airlines. In at least this case, you get what you pay for: Passengers get as little as 28 inches of legroom when flying with these airlines, which are known for cheap airfare that comes with a bare minimum of amenities and loads of fees.

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