Flying economy can be hard going at times – especially on a full aircraft. The general trend over the past years has been to pack more seats onboard, with more rows and less legroom. A few airlines have held out for a bit more space. We take a look at some of the best here.

A challenge of comparisons like this is the varying fleets operated by most airlines. Bear in mind that seat types and configurations can vary widely, even for the same aircraft type with the same airline. Seat and cabin information in this article is based on data from seatguru.com and ch-aviaton.com.

JetBlue

Among all US carriers, JetBlue probably stands out for the most spacious seats. These vary between aircraft types, but the airline offers up to 34-inches of seat pitch. Out of its fleet of 130 Airbus A320 aircraft, 12 are currently configured with a 34-inch seat pitch. The rest offer 32 inches of pitch.

On the non-Mint equipped A321s, the standard pitch is 32 inches. On the Mint-equipped aircraft, this is increased to 33 inches as standard. Both configurations also have several rows of economy, offering more space. Its Embraer ERJ 190 aircraft all also have 32-inch pitch.

JetBlue also offers more space on all its aircraft with its “Even More Space” concept. This features several rows of economy seats with extra legroom. Again this varies, but is at least 37 inches on all aircraft (and 39 inches on the ERJ 190).

In general, this is among the best of any airline globally in economy class. Economy onboard amenities are good as well. JetBlue offers seatback screens on every aircraft, as well as free WiFi. No other US domestic airlines do this.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is another of the best options in economy class for domestic US flights. The airline operates an all Boeing 737 fleet with a consistent economy configuration.

On its older Boeing 737-700 aircraft, Southwest Airlines offers 31 inches of seat pitch. This has been increased on the newer Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to an impressive 32 to 33 inches. The airline has also managed to increase the seat width on the 737 MAX 8 to 17.8 inches (up from 17 inches on other aircraft). There is no extra-legroom cabin option other than the usual bulkhead and exit row seats.

Delta Air Lines

Of the main US legacy carriers, Delta Air Lines offer the most spacious economy product in general – although there are still variations.

On its narrowbody aircraft, it offers 30 to 31 inches on all aircraft, except on the Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757, and the Airbus A220, where it is pushed out to a maximum of 32 inches. The width is 18 inches on most Airbus narrowbodies and 17.2 on the Boeing 737. The Airbus A220 pushes this up to a very comfortable 18.6 inches.

Like other legacy airlines, Delta Air Lines offers a more spacious few rows of economy seating. This is called “Delta Comfort+” and offers a standard 34 inches pitch on all aircraft.

United Airlines

United Airlines offers 30 to 31 inches pitch on all its narrowbody aircraft. All its Airbus aircraft are configured with just 30 inches pitch. The Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 also offer just 30 inches, but this goes up to 31 inches on the Boeing 737-900, Boeing MAX 9, and the older Boeing 757 aircraft.

The airline, though, makes up for this with slightly more space than other airlines in its premium extra legroom area. Its “Economy Plus” cabin offers 34 inches on the A319, 35 inches on the A320, and on all Boeing narrowbodies.

American Airlines

American Airlines has mixed offerings (unsurprising given its merger and fleet consolidation with US Airways). On its Boeing 737 narrowbodies (both the Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8), economy is configured with just 30 inches pitch.

Economy class on the Airbus aircraft can be better. A seat pitch of 31 inches is standard on the A321 (including the transcontinental domestic A321T aircraft), but only 30 inches on the A319.

American Airlines also offers paid-for extra legroom options. This “Main Cabin Extra” option offers legroom of 33 or 34 inches, and 35 inches on the A321T.

There are many differences in seats between airlines and aircraft types. This makes it hard to pick out overall winners, but hopefully, this is a useful general guide. Feel free to discuss specific seat configurations further in the comments – for these airlines or other others.