When you are booking your airline tickets the agents never explain different classes of tickets. So you what is the difference between an economy or coach seat and a business class seat? How about a first class seat and a business class seat? Where do you go to find out this type of information?
The website www.seatguru.com offers comparison charts for all the major airlines so you can compare the size, width and pitch of the seats in different airplanes. They list all the major airlines world wide and compare the size of the seats and the features offered.
When airline seats are compared, they are compared by measuring the size of the seat, normally called the pitch and the width. The seat pitch is the distance between the two rows of seats. The more distance the more leg room. The seat width is the distance between the armrests, again more is better.
Domestic Airlines
Domestic flights are those that fly inside one country, such as the USA. The airplanes are usually configured differently than those designed for overseas travel. The planes are generally smaller as they have shorter distances to travel and it easier to sell all the seats on a smaller plane than a larger one, especially if the airline offers several flights per day between destinations.
A domestic economy or coach seat is the likely the most economical seat a traveler can purchase. They are also the least elaborate. The average seat width in an economy seat is 17 – 18 inches (43.2 – 45.7 cm) while the average pitch is 31 inches (78.7 cm). According to seatguru’s comparison charts the best airline for domestic seats is United Air’s Airbus 320 (version 2) or Airbus 319. The Airbus 320 has 18 inch (45.7 cm) wide seats with a pitch of 36 inches (91.4 cm) while the Airbus 319 seats are also 18 inches wide (45.7 cm) but only have a 35 inch (88.9 cm) pitch.
Domestic first class or business class seating is not as luxurious as on international flights but has considerably more space than coach. The average seat width is 2 inches (5 cm) wider than a coach seat and there are 6 inches (15.2 cm) extra leg room. There are usually no middle seats in the rows and food and beverage service is included on most flights while it is usually pay as you go in coach. Seat Guru rates American Airlines Boeing 767-200 as the best domestic business or first class seating with a seat width of 19 inches (48.3 cm) and a pitch of 62 inches (1.6 meters).
International Flights
The economy or coach seats on international flights are a little larger than domestic flights but not by much. The average size of an international coach seat is 17 inches wide (43.2 cm) with a pitch of 32 inches (81.3 cm) The Boeing 777-300 seems to the have the most room in coach seating, with ANA and Singapore Airlines offering the largest coach seats in their 777-300 aircraft.
Premium Economy
International carriers have a class of seating above economy or coach that is called premium economy. Most premium economy seats have about 6 inches (15.3 cm) more legroom (pitch), wider seats and better amenities such as larger personal TV screens, fully adjustable seats, and better food service. They are about 65% less expensive than Business class but are still inferior to a real business class seat.
The average premium economy seat is 18.5 inches wide (47 cm) with a pitch of 38 inches (96.5 cm). The best premium economy seats are on OpenSkies airline, a business class subsidiary of British Air. There 757-200 has seated that are 52 inches wide (1.3 meters) with a pitch of 20 inches (50.8 cm). BMI is the next best with the seats on their Airbus 330 being 21 inches (53.3 cm) wide with a pitch of 49 inches (1.24 meters).
International Business and First Class seating
International business and first class cabins will have different types of seating available from recliner seats to lie-flat beds that recline 180 degrees but do not lay totally horizontal to flat bed seats that are completely horizontal when fully reclined to suites that are really mini cabins with a fully flat bed and other private amenities. Not all of these seating arrangements will be found on every international flight but often on the larger airplanes such as the Boeing 747, you will have first class flat beds.
International Business Class
The average pitch in on an international business class seat is inches (1.45 meters) and the width is 21 inches (53.3 cm). The majority of the business class seats will be recliners although lie flats are available on many major airlines. Boeing aircraft appear to the have the most spacious business class seating arrangements.
Compared to economy there is double the legroom (pitch) and 2-3 inches (5 – 7.6 cm) extra width. The seat will have more degree of recline and there will be larger personal TV screens and other amenities.
International First Class
International first class is only found on long haul routes. International first class will have 10 – 30 inches (25.4 – 76.2 cm) more pitch and 1 – 2 inches more seat width (2.5 – 5 cm) than business class. They will have more electronic seat adjustments, larger personal TV screens and superior food and wine service. The first class cabin will be smaller and have a higher flight attendant to passenger ratio and the amenity kits will be better.
The average first class seat has a pitch of 80 inches (2.03 meters) and a width of 22 inches (55.8 cm) and are flatbeds. The Boeing 777’s seem to have the best configuration for first class seats of all the airplanes.
Upgrading your seat
Sometimes, if the business or first class seats are not completely sold out on a flight, you can arrange for an upgrade at the check-in desk. This will usually cost far less than pre-booking a business or first class seat on most major airlines. But be aware this will only be possible if there are seats available on the flight in business or first class.
So next time you are planning a trip, check out the configuration of the airplane you will be traveling with and you can see the size of the different classes of seats. This will help you decide if purchasing a business class ticket is worth the price or this information could influence your decision on which airline to us.
