seats

Some airlines have smaller seats than others

You’re embarking on your dream getaway, sailing through security and preparing to settle into your aeroplane seat when you spot it: a minuscule middle seat you’ll need to squeeze into for the entirety of your journey.

Fortunately, there’s now a method to determine which budget carrier offers the most spacious seats, sparing you from compromising your precious comfort.

Which? has worked out which airlines boast the largest seats, enabling you to ensure you’re getting maximum value for money.

Regarding short haul journeys, the seat width (the gap between each armrest) ranges from 17 to 18 inches, which might not seem substantial.

Yet, that additional inch can prove transformative when you’re packed in like sardines.

The carriers offering the most generous economy seats are Wizz Air, TAP Portugal, easyJet and Lufthansa, all measuring 18 inches across.

This means the airlines with the narrowest seat widths are British Airways, Jet2, KLM, Norwegian, Ryanair, Tui and Aer Lingus, all matching at 17 inches.

Meanwhile, Vueling sits in between with 17.5 inches.

Airlines seat width and legroom

Below are airline seat width and legroom in inches.

If you’re keen to secure additional space on your budget flight without parting with extra cash, there are several tricks you can employ.

The first involves booking a seat in the bulkhead – those positioned directly behind the walls, curtains or screens which divide the aircraft. With no seats ahead, you’ll have the freedom to fully extend your legs. However, these may be marginally narrower if tray tables are housed in the armrest.

If a bulkhead doesn’t appeal to you, select a seat towards the back of the aircraft where they narrow.

This can occasionally mean fewer seats per row – but naturally, you might find yourself beside the toilet queue which can prove somewhat disruptive.

If you’re on a flight which has already departed and you spot additional empty seats, you can always courteously ask the cabin crew if it would be feasible to relocate.

Bear in mind, if you don’t ask, you don’t get – and provided you’re polite there’s a possibility they’ll accommodate your request.

If you have particular requirements that would benefit from additional space, such as being tall or pregnant, you’ve got a reasonable chance of being relocated to a more spacious area.

According to a flight attendant for a major UK airline, there’s a big difference between the seats you choose on the plane, and the extra legroom might not always be worth it

Securing extra legroom on a flight is often seen as a major perk, but a flight attendant has revealed that it can have a major downside.

Adam Hodge, 35, originally from Newcastle, has worked as Wizz Air cabin crew for eight years, and during that time he’s travelled to around 30 countries. He loves nothing more than providing the best service to his passengers, and knows the cabin like the back of his hand.

So much so that Adam, who is based at Luton Airport, knows exactly where the best seats are on a plane, the seat he’d recommend for nervous flyers, along with the seats that are the least desirable. And while most travellers long for extra legroom so they can stretch out, he said it’s actually more “restrictive”.

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Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Adam explained: “It’s all great having the extra leg room at the emergency exit, but the problem is, you can’t have your bags on the floor for take-off and landing, and you can’t have your headphones on. They’re great as you do have a bit more space, but they are more restrictive.

“For me, I like to have my bag under the seat so I can get stuff in and out of my bag when needed, change my headphones, or get a book out. So it’s good to have more freedom and flexibility.”

There’s one desirable spot Adam suggests securing on the plane, but it has to be within specific rows. “I always recommend a window seat.”

On his own seat preference, Adam, who is also a representative on Wizz Air’s Cabin Crew People’s Council, added: “I don’t like to be at the very front, but I don’t like to be at the very back. I like to be in the middle.” Therefore, he recommends that passengers choose a window seat between rows 5 and 10 or 25 and 30.

“It’s the middle, but it’s not right at the back or right at the front,” he added. “You still have easy access to the toilet, or you’re not having to wait long for the trolley service to pass by.”

In reference to securing a window seat, the flight attendant noted: “For me, I like to see what’s going on, take some photos, especially if we’re flying over the Alps, for example.

“The aisle is great too if you like a little bit more access to get in and out, but not the middle aisle. I call it the friendship seat. I’ve made some very good friendships over the years sitting in the middle seat, but I definitely prefer a window.”

Having spent almost 10 years flying to various destinations, Adam has been able to explore some of the lesser-known holiday spots, with Wizz Air operating more than 750 routes across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. One capital he couldn’t recommend more highly is Tiranë, Albania.

“Not only does it have the city, but it also has the beach and coastal areas as well. It has the best of both worlds. If you want to do a city break, or visit the beaches along the coast, and towards the top are the European destinations similar to the Maldives,” he said.

“Tiranë has everything, and it’s very good value for money.”

For more information about Wizz Air flights or to book your next trip, visit their website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

AN American airline’s plan for new couches in economy has been hailed as a “game changer.”

It means a far more comfortable flight for travelers seeking additional space to sleep.

United Airlines has announced a “relaxed row” to allow travelers to stretch out and have a better rest in economy class.

It involves transforming economy seats into a couch between two rows of seats.

The initiative will provide more comfortable international travel, the airline said yesterday.

“Customers will get a custom-fitted mattress pad, specially sized blankets, extra pillows and a stuffed plush for children to help create a cozy, tranquil environment,” the carrier explained.

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“Sounds like heaven to me,” said one thrilled customer.

United‘s relax row option is expected to be available from 2027.

Prices for the perk haven’t been released as yet.

“Customers traveling in United economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them,” said Andrew Nocella, executive VP.

Once available, United will be “the first North American airline to offer this kind of seating option and holds North American exclusivity on the design,” the carrier said.

The lie-down couch-style seating will eventually be rolled out across some 1,000 United planes by 2030.

More on United Airlines’ ‘relaxed row’ economy seats that transform into a couch

The option will be available for United customers traveling in the economy cabin on long-haul flights from 2027

A new, dedicated row of three seats will be outfitted with individually adjustable leg rests that fold up at a 90-degree angle.

The formation of the couch will create more room to sleep, stretch out or watch a movie.

Customers traveling in United relax row will receive additional amenities for their international flight.

This includes a custom-fitted mattress pad, a specially sized plush blanket, two additional pillows, as well as a plush toy and children’s travel kit for families.

The airline plans to offer it on more than 200 Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft by 2030.

The seats will be located between United economy and premium plus, with up to 12 relax row sections on each plane.

They aren’t just available for families, as single travelers can also purchase the row, added United.

Source: United Airlines YouTube

Around nine to 12 couches will be available per aircraft.

The seats will have individually adjustable, flip-up leg rests.

These can then be angled to create more room to sleep, stretch out or watch a movie.

Their provision follows a similar option offered by Air New Zealand, which already offers a row of economy seats that convert into a lie-flat couch after takeoff.

Travelers commenting on United’s version have said that it will be worth the extra money.

“I’ve used the sky couch a bunch, and for traveling with young kids on long haul flights it’s an absolute game changer, worth every penny,” raved one flyer on Reddit yesterday.

“I love the skycouch on Air New Zealand and have used it multiple times between the US and Auckland,” wrote another traveler.

“Obviously you don’t get the bells and whistles of a first class seat, but the lie flat feature is the only thing that allows me to sleep on airplanes so for me it’s perfect.”

“Family and I use the Air NZ sky couch every time we travel between NZ/US,” shared one parent.

“It’s a game changer and we always choose Air NZ for that reason. Will start looking seriously at UAL now for our travels.”

IF you thought being able to lay down on a plane was just for first and business class, think again.

United Airlines is introducing a new ‘Relax Row’ making travel in economy much more comfortable.

Launching in 2027, the Relax Row is a dedicated row of three seats that can transform into a ‘couch’, or lie-flat bed.

The seats will be designed with adjustable leg rests that can fold up and mattress pad placed on top.

Travellers can then stretch out whether they want to spend their journey sleeping or watching a film.

The airline said: “The United Relax Row is ideal for families traveling with small children, solo travelers and couples who want the value of United Economy but with a little extra comfort.”

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Along with a mattress pad, those on the Relax Row will get blankets, extra pillows, a toy and children’s travel kit.

The new Relax Row will appear on United Airlines aircraft in 2027.

By 2030, the airline said it will be on more than 200 of its Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 widebody aircraft with 12 Relax Row sections on each plane.

Andrew Nocella, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer said: “Customers traveling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them.

“United is the only North American airline offering a product like the United Relax Row and is one of the many reasons why we’re continuing to win brand loyal customers.”

The cost of the new seat option is yet to be confirmed.

United Airlines has other perks for families including free family seating, which allows children under 12 to sit next to an accompanying adult for free at time of booking.

And while United Airlines will be the first North American airline to offer lie-flat seats in economy, there other airlines who already offer this for their passengers.

Air New Zealand has its Skycouch which is the same – a row of three economy seats that transform into a lie-flat bed.

Lufthansa have what they call the Sleeper’s Row which is for long-haul flights that are over 11 hours long.

Passengers get a full row of three or four seats with a mattress topper, pillow, and blanket at the airport.

The additional charge for this is between €169–€249 (£146.28-£215.52).

For more on airlines, here are the best ones in the world – and one in the UK makes the list.

And from one Travel Writer who has visited 50 countries – here’s why she rates this much-loathed budget airline.

The new seat will be installed from 2028 on hundreds of easyJet’s new aircraft, providing an extra two inches of improved knee and shin clearance

As budget airlines attempt to cram more and more passengers onto flights, it can feel as if the seat in front edges slightly closer each time you board a plane.

However, a “next generation” economy seat is on the horizon, which its creators claim will provide travellers with additional legroom without compromising space for airlines.

The Kestrel seat from Mirus Aircraft Seating, a British manufacturer, will be fitted from 2028 on hundreds of easyJet’s new aircraft, delivering an extra two inches of “improved knee and shin clearance” for passengers. It will enable easyJet to provide more legroom than most of its short-haul budget rivals.

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The seat reshapes a passenger’s back, enabling their hips and spine to sit further back on the cushion so their knees and legs gain additional space at the front.

The back is constructed from carbon fibre rather than the traditional moulded plastic, producing a slimmer seat that provides crucial extra inches for the person behind.

A “fixed recline” of 22 degrees naturally shifts the passenger to the most efficient position in the seat, Mirus claims. Customers cannot manually recline the seat to annoy the passenger behind them.

A standard easyJet seat typically provides between 28 and 29 inches of room, meaning anyone who is six foot or taller will touch the seat in front with their knees. Some airlines on longer haul economy flights offer up to 34 inches of space.

“We’ve always had very comfortable leg room in easyJet,” said Kenton Jarvis, the airline’s chief executive. “This product is exceptionally comfortable, exceptionally light and allows a configuration that creates more space for the customer in the cabin.”

He explained easyJet wouldn’t be retrofitting any of its estimated 350 aircraft, stating: “There’s an expense to ripping off perfectly good seats and putting in and buying new ones.” The seats will instead appear in new orders of the Airbus A320neo and A321neo from 2028.

Research conducted this year by consumer group Which identified the short-haul carriers offering the tightest economy-class seat layout, or pitch, as Jet2, KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair, SAS, TAP Air Portugal, Vueling and Wizz Air. All featured at least some seats with a 28-inch pitch.

The group noted that seat comfort also hinged on quality factors such as padding. By that measure, easyJet’s current seats achieved two out of five.

David Morgan, easyJet’s chief operating officer, commented: “We are delighted to be introducing the Mirus Kestrel seat across our future fleet.

“On top of the sustainability benefits, the additional legroom and enhanced comfort these seats will provide will also deliver an improved onboard experience for our customers, which we know they’ll love.”

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EASYJET has launched a huge sale with millions of seats on offer for winter 2027 including the February half-term.

The budget airline’s Big Seat Release has over seven million seats on flights to and from the UK on sale for between February 1 and March 21, 2027.

Travellers can choose from over 140 destinations across Europe and North Africa from 22 UK airports.

Flight offers include one-way flights to Paris from London Gatwick, costing £31.99 on February 2, 2027.

You could also travel to Dusseldorf in Germany, Geneva in Switzerland, and Grenoble and Nantes in France for the same price.

If you fancy travelling further afield, you could fly to Agadir in Morocco from London Gatwick on February 23, 2027, for £37.99 one-way.

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Agadir was recently named the most affordable break for summer 2026 by loveholidays, with a week holiday to the seaside city costing as little as £24 per person per night between June and August.

The Moroccan city is surrounded by mountains and also boasts a six-mile long golden beach.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited the city and said: “The Moroccan city is home to the country’s largest market, Souk El Had, as well as a bustling harbour and modern marina.

“Rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1960, the sprawling city nestles against the Atlantic Ocean and its palm-lined wide roads feel more Miami than Morocco.”

Other bucket-list destinations include Reykjavik in Iceland, with flights costing from £44.17 per way and Thessaloniki in Greece, costing from £48.99 per way.

To find easyJet‘s lowest fares, head to the low fare finder section of the easyJet website where the best value fares are shown.

EasyJet holidays also has thousands of package holidays available, including to destinations such as the Canary Islands, Morocco and Tunisia.

All of the holiday packages include flights and a hotel, with a 23kg luggage allowance and transfers for beach getaways.

Kevin Doyle, UK Country Manager for easyJet, said: “Putting millions more seats and package holidays on sale today for next winter means our customers across the UK can book early and enjoy great value to Europe’s most popular leisure destinations, including firm favourites such as Amsterdam, Paris, Alicante, Tenerife, and Malaga.

“With hundreds of routes available from 22 UK airports, our short-haul network offers unrivalled choice for those planning their holidays for next year, to book with ease, and we can’t wait to welcome them on board.”

In other flight news, one of the world’s best cities is getting more flights and TUI holiday packages – with mega cheap food and island beaches.

Plus, one of Europe’s cheapest city break destinations has £2 beers and a massive waterpark and now has new UK flights.

NEW economy seats being rolled out on easyJet flights will give passengers even more legroom, in a rare move.

More than ever, budget airlines are trying to squeeze in more passengers in an attempt to keep costs down.

But easyJet has reveals the “next generation” seats which will actually give you more space.

Designed by Mirus Aircraft Seating, the new Kestrel seats are much slimmer then standard seats as they’re made from carbon fibre rather than plastic.

They also weigh less, coming in at just under 7kg per seat which is 20 per cent lighter than current seats.

And the slimmer seats mean passengers will get an extra two inches legroom too.

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EasyJet currently offers around 28-29 inches of legroom, so the additional two inches will take it up to 31 inches.

Hate passengers who recline? The seats have a fixed 22 degree recline that don’t move or go back.

The Mirus website states: “Designed for airlines operating short to medium-range flights of around 5 hours in standard specification, but available in ‘Enhanced Comfort’ specification to comfortably open up longer routes — the Kestrel transforms travel for passengers through unbeatable levels of legroom.”

They’re set to be rolled out across the Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet in 2028.

David Morgan, chief operating officer, said: “The additional legroom and enhanced comfort these seats will provide will also deliver an improved onboard experience for our customers which we know they’ll love.”

EasyJet isn’t the only airline making the economy experience better.

Air New Zealand is launching bunk beds which economy passengers can rent for up to four hours to get some sleep.

Last year, Thai Airways announced they would be launching lie-flat beds in premium economy.

Emirates is rolling out “gamechanger” new cheap seats, although little else has been revealed.

And a new economy seat design called the Skynook has been compared to business class, with a private sliding door

March 16 (UPI) — Illinois will have busy primary elections Tuesday as voters select a candidate to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and fill five U.S. House seats without incumbents.

Three House seats are open due to retirements, and two others have incumbents running for Senate. All seats are expected to be filled with Democrats.

There will also be primaries for governor of the state, but there are no Democrats running against incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker.

Illinois voters “have an opportunity for generational turnover — where a boomer senator is stepping down, and you’ve got three Gen-Xers, who’ve been around on the scene for quite some time, trying to get the seat,” Northwestern University political science professor and Democratic strategist Alvin Tillery told ABC News. Tillery is not involved in any Illinois races.

“It could be another 20 or 30 years before we have a Senate race this competitive in Illinois,” he added.

Key Republicans running for Senate are attorney Jeannie Evans and former Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy.

There are 11 Democrats vying for the seat, but the top three are Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Rep. Robin Kelly.

Krishnamoorthi has raised the most money — more than $30 million — while Stratton has the benefit of Pritzker’s endorsement.

All three have run on fighting President Donald Trump and opposing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, which operated heavily in Chicago during Operation Midway Blitz.

“Fighting ICE has become synonymous with opposing and fighting back against Trump,” Brandon Davis, a Democratic consultant who worked on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2023 campaign, told NBC News.

“I’m the only one with the background of standing up to bullies and bad actors, and successfully doing so, and now I have to stand up to Donald Trump,” Krishnamoorthi told ABC News in an interview. He would be the second Indian-American to hold a seat in the Senate.

Stratton is the first Black lieutenant governor in Illinois and told ABC News: “I have the best path in the nation to elect another Black woman to the United States Senate.”

Kelly has the endorsement of longtime Congressional Black Caucus member Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. He campaigned with Kelly on Tuesday, telling WLS-TV she is “our go-to person on healthcare issues.”

But all three have focused their ads against ICE.

Stratton has said she wants to “abolish” the agency because, “I don’t believe that this agency can be reformed. I want ICE and CBP out of our American cities.”

Krishnamoorthi said he wants to “abolish Trump’s ICE.” He explained he’s pushing for reforms to stop them from wearing masks and stop “roving gangs of ICE and CBP agents stirring up trouble in our cities.”

Kelly has called to dismantle ICE and the whole of the Department of Homeland Security, saying it’s “too big, too unwieldy and they’re not accountable.”

It has been branded ‘brutal’ and ‘absolute hell’

The world’s longest bus journey spans 4,000 miles and has racked up a negative reputation. It takes over 100 hours to travel the route, which is roughly six days.

The journey connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans as it goes from Lima in Peru to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It is made possible thanks to the Trans-Oceanic Highway.

The legendary Transoceánica holds the title of being the longest regularly scheduled, direct commercial bus route in the world.

It runs weekly by the Brazilian bus company and passes through coastal cities, savannas, wetlands, rainforests and the Andes Mountains.

The bus departs on Thursdays at 1pm and promises to be a ride passengers won’t forget. There are 44 regular seats and 12 sleeping berths on board. There’s also a toilet, small sink, water dispenser and Wi-Fi.

However, there are no showers on board. To be able to wash, passengers use facilities during the three scheduled stops per day at roadside stations.

The bus is driven by two alternating drivers, with one resting in a sleeping cabin while the other drives. According to Check My Bus, the ticket price is approximately R$1,300, which is around £186.

From the bus, passengers are able to see world-famous sites including the Amazon Basin, Andes Mountains, Christ the Redeemer and Machu Picchu.

Starting in Rio de Janeiro, the bus makes its way through São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Acre, until it reaches the border with Peru.

It then goes through the Peruvian Amazon, crosses the Andes and takes the Transoceanic Highway to Lima, the capital of Peru.

Despite the stunning scenery, some passengers have found the journey very tricky.

YouTuber Noel Phillips travelled the route and branded it “gruelling” and “absolute hell”. He said that on the bus, personal space was a non-existent concept.

In a video documenting the trip, Noel said: “Nobody has [headphones]; everyone just plays everything on full blast. And when they can’t hear it above everybody else’s, they just turn theirs up so in the end you just have 15 phones playing different things at 55,000 decibels.”

Noel admitted that by the time he reached Brazil, the journey felt repetitive. He faced a number of delays on his journey as well as a lack of heating on the bus.