Airports and airplanes are some of the most stressful things that come with traveling, and while the pay off is worth it most of the time, a bad in-flight experience can easily take away from the experience. While booking flights usually depends on the price, many people decide to go with a specific airline first, considering many airlines will make you want to skip out on booking with them from the get-go!
After securing a spot on an airline you trust and know, travelers are always introduced with the option to book a seat in advance or simply have one selected for them at the time of check-in. While paying the extra fee for a seat seems a bit much, it might actually save you from what could totally be a terrible flight.
Not only are the seats on planes completely covered with germs and bacteria, but they are also incredibly tight, depending on who you're flying with, especially if your journey requires a long-haul flight. In order to secure a piece of comfort, pre-book that seat, but only on these next airlines!
10 Frontier Airlines - Nothing Like A Cramped Space!
Travelling is always a fun and memorable experience, however, the journey time it takes to arrive at your dream destinations is not always a fun time. Plane rides can be exceptionally boring, especially if you aren't a sleeper! If you find yourself on a long haul flight with Frontier, which might not be the best option according to their stats, odds are you will want to book a seat in advance so that you aren't stuck in the window or aisle seat since they are only 16 to 17 inches wide, but the aisle seat will at least guarantee you that extra stretch legroom.
9 Spirit Airlines - Not Suitable For Bigger People
Spirit Airlines is known for not having the best aircraft, however, if you can look past that and enjoy the cheap fare, then, by all means, safe travels! If you are looking for a cheap fare and some comfort, we'd definitely recommend booking a seat in advance on Spirit, and either scoring yourself an aisle seat or an extra legroom seat for optimal space. Spirit doesn't cater to bigger people, so if you're tall or carrying around some of that extra quarantine weight, then booking an extra space seat is your best option, otherwise, you might have to stand for the entire duration of the flight like this passenger had to.
8 Southwest Airlines - Comfort Is Not Key
Much like Frontier, Southwest Airlines offer economy travelers with only 17.8 inches in seat space. While that may be enough for some people, it is certainly next to nothing for anyone over 170 cm. If you find yourself to have trouble with standard airplane seats, you are bound to have an issue here. Booking a seat in advance not only saves you a lot of knee to seat action, but it can help you enjoy your flight with some extra legroom, which never hurts!
7 American Airlines - Book That Extra Legroom Seat, Do It!
While booking a seat in advance usually comes with a fee, especially if its a seat that offers travelers with more space, but if you are flying with American, especially on their domestic aircraft, then it's worth it! When flying with American, you can fish out anywhere between $10 to $40 dollars for a seat, and while that is only an add on to the price you've always paid for your ticket, it's totally worth it for the comfort, so just do it! Book that extra legroom seat for yourself.
6 Alaska Airlines - Seats Offer Limited Space
Much like the other airlines, Alaska Airlines is not different. They not only offer travelers flying in economy with 17 inches of seat space, but their aircraft are also often quite dated, particularly with domestic travel. So not only are you flying in a time capsule of a plane, but you'll be bound to 17 inches and 17 inches only. In this case, booking that seat in advance not only will secure you a more roomy seat, but it'll simply make your travel experience all that much better.
5 JetBlue - You'll Be Happy Wherever You're Sitting
While there are a number of airlines in the United States that we would totally encourage you to a book a seat in advance for, there are also a number of airlines that we wouldn't! JetBlue is an airline that offers it's economy passengers with up to 18.5 inches of space, which is 1.5 inches more than some other no-frills airline. YouTuber Casey Neistat has been a devoted JetBlue flyer, and while he usually opts for first-class, any of his friends who just so happen o be flying with him, always look to be sitting comfortably in economy.
4 Hawaiian Airlines - A Great Experience From Start To Finish
Hawaiin Airlines is one airline that can really do no wrong! While traveling can be stressful, traveling to Hawaii ought to ease the worry straight out of you. First-class seats offer travelers anywhere between 19 - 21 inches of space, however, if you prefer an economy seat, then you will still be able to sit comfortably with 18 inches of space, especially if you snag an aisle seat. From the in-flight leis to the dance performances, Hawaiin Airlines is always a good idea.
3 Delta Air - Legroom For Days
Boarding a flight can find travelers with a lot of mixed emotions. Not only is waiting in line sometimes annoying but entering the aircraft and having to walk passed the fancy seats first to economy is always a pain. Well, when flying with Delta, you can not only board with ease, but peace of mind knowing that you've got legroom for days in their seats. Delta knows a thing or two about comfort, especially if you're a bigger traveler.
2 Air Canada - Customer Reviews Are Great
Air Canada is without a doubt one of the best and most reliable airlines in North America. When flying with Air Canada, not only will you be able to enjoy their roomy 18 - 19-inch seats, but customer service and baggage handling have some of the best reviews left by travelers. Considering how stressful travel can be, not only will you be comfortable sitting just about anywhere, but you'll have peace of mind knowing that you and your baggage will be taken care of from take-off to landing.
1 Virgin America - Plenty Of Space Wherever You Sit
Last, but certainly not least is Virgin America. Virgin is one airline that won't disappoint. Travelers can not only score themselves decently priced tickets, but they can fly in an economy seat that will not require any form of complex stretching when getting up. Virgin has proven itself to be a top contender, and you will see exactly why when flying with them as you sit in their 18 - 21-inch seats.