Airline Seat Sizes: 17 Airlines Analyzed and Compared

The very first question for all plus sized airline passengers should be ‘how big is the seat?'. This is particularly true in the times of shrinking airline seats, with operators squeezing in as much as they possibly can for maximum profit. This extensive guide looks at the seat sizes of 17 popular airlines, so you'll know exactly who to book with for the biggest seats.

Most airlines have seat widths available on their website, if you look closely enough. However, some others take a bit more investigation. I've sent emails, I've been on live chat, and I've even picked up the phone, to find out the average seat width of America's biggest airlines. I'll be updating as and when more airlines respond. For now let's dig in.

Which Airline Has The Biggest Seats?

On average, JetBlue has the biggest economy seats. The chart below shows the average economy seat size (inches) across all of the airlines analyzed in this article. It's important to note that these averages may not tell the whole story, as some airlines have ranges or variations across different aircraft models. Other factors like seat pitch, legroom, and overall cabin layout also contribute to passenger comfort.

Note: You can get exclusive discounts through Chubby Travelers when booking flights on Expedia.

Despite being 6th overall, the ‘Big Front Seat' on Spirit Airlines is our top pick. It's technically in economy class, but you're getting 20 inches for a small additional cost. The downside is that only a handful of these are available on each flight.

In first class, it's pretty standard across the board, and you can expect a minimum seat width of between 20 and 21 inches, regardless of which airline you're flying with.

Now, let's take a look at each airline seat measurements individually.

Seat Sizes by Airline, Plane Model, and Cabin Class

Here's a complete breakdown of seat width by airline. Remember that Boeing seat sizes can vary from Airbus, and the average economy seat width will look quite different to business class. The good news is that I've covered all of those details for you.

Note: N/A means that that cabin class is not available on that specific plane model.

American Airlines Seat Sizes

First class seats across the American Airlines fleet are 21 inches, whether you're on the A320 or the 787. The biggest seat can be found in Flagship Business on the Boeing 777-200 at 21.9“. If you're looking for something a little cheaper, the main cabin in the A321neo has 18.4” as standard.

American Airlines Airbus Seat Size

American Airlines Boeing Seat Size

Delta Air Lines Seat Sizes

Most of Delta's main cabin seats are around 18″ wide, actually making them one of the most generous when it comes to the standard offering. The biggest Delta seat is within the Delta One cabin on the A330-900neo, at 22.5″, but these can come at a cost.

Delta Air Lines Airbus Seat Size

Delta Air Lines Boeing Seat Size

Related: A guide to flying while fat

Southwest Airlines Seat Sizes

Southwest only operates with Boeing in its fleet, making it a lot easier to analyze. The seat widths vary depending on the model, and where the seat is located, so I couldn't be any more specific than this. The narrowest seat is 15.5″, and the widest is 17.8″. These numbers are some of the smallest in the sky. Check out the Southwest customer of size policy for more information on what your options are for an extra seat.

Southwest Airlines Seat Size

United Airlines Seat Sizes

The biggest United economy class seats can be found on the Boeing 767-300ER at 18.5″, matching the Premium Plus sized on some other plane models. The biggest seat is on the A321neo in first class, and measures 21″. The average economy seat measures around 17 to 17.5 inches.

United Airlines Airbus Seat Size

United Airlines Boeing Seat Size

Alaska Airlines Seat Sizes

Coach seats on all Alaskan Airline flights range from 16.5 to 17.3 inches, and most premium class seats are the same size. You'll need to upgrade to first class to find the largest seats at 21.3 inches, available on the A321, 737 MAX-9, 737 MAX-8, and 737-700. The good news is that makes it one of the biggest first class seats on our list.

Alaska Airlines Airbus Seat Size

Alaska Airlines Boeing Seat Size

JetBlue Airways Seat Sizes

Over 90% of the JetBlue fleet is Airbus A320 and A321, so there are only a few configurations to look at. The widest economy class seat is on the A320 (32M) Layout 2 at 18.4″, but none of the A321 planes are far behind at 18″. The largest seat is the business suite on the A321 (32S) Mint at 22“, which is only 2nd to Delta One's 22.5”.

JetBlue Airbus Seat Size

Spirit Airlines Seat Sizes

Spirit operates an all-airbus fleet. From the data we have, the average seat width in economy is around 17.5 inches wide, which is in line with many other US operators. The ‘Big Front Seat', often promoted to larger passengers, is 20 inches wide. This is quite impressive, as it's close to the same size as first class with other airlines, at a significantly lower cost.

Note: We're missing some of the information on Spirit Airline planes and configurations. This will be updated as soon as we have the data.

Spirit Airlines Airbus Seat Size

Air Canada Seat Sizes

Air Canada's economy seat width is between 17 and 18 inches, making it fairly average. However, some of the Premium Economy go as wide as 20 inches, something you would need first class for on a lot of other airlines. The biggest seats, at 21 inches, can be found in Business and ‘Air Canada Signature Class'.

Air Canada Airbus Seat Size

Air Canada Boeing Seat Size

WestJet Seat Sizes

WestJet only has Boeing planes in its fleet. Economy seats are a standard 17 inches across the board, which is smaller than most other airlines. There isn't any extra width in the premium economy seats on some models, either. With the exception of the WestJet 737 MAX 8 (7M8) which is 21.3 inches wide in premium economy. This is bigger than most first class seats on other airlines, including the likes of Delta. That's a lot of bang for your buck.

WestJet Boeing Seat Size

Volaris Seat Sizes

The Volaris fleet is made up entirely of Airbus planes. As a completely budget airline, seats are standard throughout Volaris planes, all measuring at 18 inches wide. There is a premium offering, but this is based entirely on the fact that you're near the front of the plane, and can get off first, or are near an exit and have more leg room. These premium seats are actually marginally smaller as the tray table is within the arm rest.

Volaris Airbus Seat Size

Frontier Airlines Seat Sizes

Frontier is another all-Airbus airline. The numbers are the same across the board – all seats are 18 inches wide. If you book a ‘stretch' seat, you're getting extra leg room, but your seat is no wider, so keep that in mind.

Frontier Airlines Airbus Seat Size

Aeroméxico Seat Sizes

Aeroméxico is an all-Boeing fleet, with the exception of the Embraer 190. The main cabin seats are 17 inches across most, but you'll get a little extra with 17.2 inches on the 787-8 and 787-9. The seats are the same size in premium, but you will get 21 inches if you opt for Clase Premier on the Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 737-700, and Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 1. The other models are 20 inches in Clase Premiere.

Aeromexico Boeing Seat Size

Viva Aerobus Seat Sizes

Viva Aerobus has one of the youngest fleets in the sky, entirely made up of Airbus models. You will get an 18 inch seat width in all of their categories – Regular, priority plus, and space plus. However, space plus has more leg room and a little more room between seats, despite the actual seat itself being no bigger.

VivaAerobus Airbus Seat Size

Allegiant Air Seat Sizes

We unfortunately have very little data about Allegiant Air seat sizes. We will provide more information when we have it. What we can tell you is that the average width of a seat is around 17.5 inches.

Important note: Allegiant Air has a ‘Giant Seat' option on its Boeing 757s, which is 25 inches wide. The biggest seat we could find from any airline, in any cabin.

Allegiant Air Airbus Seat Size

InterJet Seat Sizes

Economy seats on the InterJet A320 are a slightly smaller than average 17 inches wide. There's an extra inch on the A321neo at 18 inches.

Interjet Airbus Seat Size

Hawaiian Airlines Seat Sizes

Hawaiian Airlines operates with a fleet of both Airbus and Boeing planes. Economy seats range between 16.5 inches (below average size) and 18 inches. Main cabin extra seats have more legroom and priority boarding, but are no wider. You'll need to upgrade to first class to get 21 inches on the A321neo and the 787.

Hawaiian Airlines Airbus Seat Size

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing Seat Size

Sun Country Airlines Seat Sizes

Main cabin seats on Sun Country Airlines range from 16 to 17.3 inches on the 737-800 and and 16.3 inches to 17.1 inches on the 737-700. These are some of the smallest seats we have analyzed and would not be the first choice for plus-sized passengers.

Sun Country Airlines Boeing Seat Size

How to Choose Airline Seats

If you can't upgrade to first class, or simply don't want to, there are a few other options for making your flight more comfortable. If you can, try to book exit row seats. The seat size is the same, but you will get a lot more legroom which can give the feeling of extra space. Beware though, you will need to be mobile enough to fulfil the responsibility of an emergency exit seat. In other words, in the rare case of an emergency evacuation, you will be expected to help.

No matter what, avoid the middle seat, because you will have arm rests either side of you. I personally prefer an aisle seat so that I can get that extra bit of space. Remember to ask for a seat belt extender if you need one – otherwise you can bring your own. Read our guide to the best extenders for recommendations.

Reminder: You can get exclusive discounts through Chubby Travelers when booking flights on Expedia.

Airline Seat Sizes FAQs

Still got questions about airline seats? Check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.