Over the past five decades, flying economy has become noticeably more cramped.

The average seat pitch—an industry-standard measure of legroom—has declined from about 35 inches in the 1970s to roughly 30 inches today.

As airlines pack more seats into cabins, legroom has become a key differentiator for travelers seeking comfort without upgrading to premium cabins.


This visualization highlights the airlines that still offer the most generous economy-class legroom. The data for this visualization comes from Simple Flying, drawing on rankings from Business Traveller and Condé Nast Traveler.

Japanese Airlines Set the Global Standard

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) top the ranking, each offering 34 inches of legroom in economy class.

Emirates matches the Japanese carriers with 34 inches of legroom, reinforcing its reputation as a comfort-focused global airline. The carrier has long invested in spacious cabins and a premium economy experience that spills over into standard economy seating.

Meanwhile, JetBlue stands out among U.S. airlines, offering over 32 inches of legroom—closer to international full-service standards than most domestic competitors.

U.S. Airlines Mostly in Bottom of Top 10

Most U.S. carriers cluster near the lower end of the 10 in this ranking, with seat pitches ranging from 31 to 31.8 inches.

Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all fall into this group, offering slightly more legroom than the industry average but still well below the leaders.