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What is the width of the seats on economy flights?

The standard U.S. airline seat nowadays is 17 inches wide, with between 30-32 inches of legroom.



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In 1985 none of the main four US carriers offered a seat less than 19 inches wide. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century until 2018 average seat width decreased from 18.5 to 17 inches, and sometimes as low as 16.1 inches.

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You should be fine. You could try and google the largest seat in your class category and try to book it. You will be fine, you probably won't even need an extender on your belt. A size 22 won't have difficulty fitting in a airline seat, and doing up the seat belt.

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I am a bigger person, size 24-26-28. Will I fit in an airplane seat? You will probably need to buy two coach seats and ask for a seatbelt extender (or to have yours). Remember, two coach seats are generally much cheaper and more spacious than a single first class seat.

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A standard airplane seat on Southwest and some Delta aircraft are 17.2 inches wide. Some planes, including Frontier, AirTran and parts of United and US Airways' fleets, have seats as large as 18 inches wide.

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American's website states that passengers who need a seat belt extender and whose body extends more than one inch past the armrest will need to buy a ticket for a second seat.

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Choose Your Seat Wisely
While some passengers prefer window seats, aisle seats are often better for overweight passengers that are only purchasing one seat. Window seats are often the better option if you purchase an additional seat.

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Depends on your proportions. Most likely, it won't be comfortable, but you'll still fit at 300. Try and book next to an empty seat, if you can.

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Will a size 16 woman fit in an airplane seat? I am a size 16/18 and fly a lot with work. I fly American and though the seatbelt can be snug, I fit. That said, avoid the aisles with the non-moveable arm rests (exit seats).

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Airlines with the Most Seat Space in Economy
  • Jet Blue. Jet Blue is the leader in the “most pitch” and “widest seat” contest because the majority of their economy and coach class seats are roomy. ...
  • Air Canada. ...
  • Virgin America. ...
  • Hawaiian Airlines. ...
  • American Airlines. ...
  • Cathay Pacific. ...
  • Emirates.


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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.
  • Hawaiian Airlines.
  • Cebu Pacific.
  • AirAsia X.
  • Uzbekistan Airways.
  • Air Transat.


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In general, obese passengers on airlines who require a seatbelt extender and/or cannot lower the armrests between seats are asked to pay for a second seat on their flight, unless there are two empty seats together somewhere on the plane. Special size passengers have little to no choice when it comes to this rule.

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According to travel review site the Points Guy, Delta's seatbelts range in size from 40 to 45 inches. That's shorter than American Airlines' and JetBlue's belts, which measure from 45 to 47 inches and 45 inches, respectively, but still longer than Southwest's belt, which clocks in at just 39 inches.

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You should ask the lead flight attendant or the flight attendant at the boarding door, said Bobby Laurie, a travel expert and former American Airlines flight attendant.

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This seat decision usually happens at the time of booking. However, if you didn't get the option you're after then, you can always approach the counter before boarding to see if there are open seats available. Or, try asking the crew upon boarding if you can swap seats during the flight.

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