Which Trans-Atlantic airline has best seats?
 

We recently flew on AA from JFK to Zurich. Couldn't believe the size of the seats where we sat (back of economy). We are small people, but looking at the seat and knowing we'd be stuck in there for 7 1/2 hours was daunting.

Do all Trans-Atlantic airlines have the same seat size and seat pitch?

No.

http://www.seatguru.com/

AA flies the 767-300 JFK-ZRH. With 32" pitch and 17.2" width, that's about average for trans-Atlantic travel.

If you want significantly increased width and pitch, you need use premium economy. British Airways, Virgin, SAS, bmi and Air NewZealand are the main airlines that have premium economoy across the Atlantic.

But not premium economy are the same. On bmi and AirNZ, I believe the width of the seats are the same or mostly the same, as regular coach. You get more pitch, more recline and better food.

United also has "economy plus", which has the same seats and service. Just more pitch. You can buy a $299/year E+ access, which is also good for a companion.

On other airlines, the PE product usually cost about $300 (very roughly) above coach for a roundtrip.

Hi,

Also look at zoom - they have economy plus - managed to get return flights for 2 people to NYC for £900 return ($1800)
Mark

DH flew one of the legs of his tras-atlantic flights in premium economy on bmi and was really pleased.

Guess I've learned about premium economy. Also learned that, basically and unfortunately, regular cheapo economy seats ar the same on all planes.

A variety of planes are used. No constants, only variables.

Some years ago, we favored AA over AF when AA removed rows of seats for extra room. Those few inches made a huge difference. Then, there were entertainment upgrades. Then, they all changed their schedules. We used to favor a 4-5PM return flight. Now, even if you can find your preferred return time, that may change (significantly earlier or later) after you book.

rkkwan,
I followed up on your advice on the Europe thread and signed up with United's economy plus for $299.00 yesterday for next years AMS trip.. I was able to change my seat selection to the EC+ section today and don't have have to be concerned about availability when we get to the airport. Thanx again.

I was pretty happy with the seats on SAS from Seattle to Copenhagen in April.

I just checked out the chart on seatguru, but one thing they don't seem to have is the actual spacing between rows of seats--that seemed to make a difference.

seatguru lists the pitch of seat on each plane. Pitch is not exactly the same as actual legroom, but is generally a good indication and that is what being reported across all airlines, all websites.

For example, SAS has 32" pitch in coach and 37" in premium economy.

Look at the particular planes on seatguru,the confirguration matters not just the pitch.

I fly alot from SFO to London and I"m partial to the United 777 which has a 2, 5, 2 seat configuration in economy. This means my husband and I have a set of two seats to ourselves, he has a window and I prefer the aisle. Far better than the 3,4,3 configuration where one of you ends up in the middle and is common on other planes including 744 etc

Is United's economy-plus still available for purchase and would that, indeed, include transatlantic routes?

UA still sells E+ Access for $299 a year, which is good network wide for the travel and a companion.

They also sell upgrades at the gate, from what I've read here. One poster here paid about $100 per person per trans-Atlantic leg. The $299 is a better deal if one flies with someone else, or flies more than one or two trips a year on UA.

I have flown transatlantic on only 3 airlines - AA, Icelandair and BA.

I can say this: BA is the worst of the 3.

I should add more about BA ...

Their economy seats recline more than AA. When the person in front of you recline all the way back, you get about 8" face space and you have to press your cheek on the movie screen to grope for your bag on floor. There is absolutely no room for your laptop.

Because of the diminishing face space I sometimes develop "restless legs syndrome" on BA - very unpleasant.

I prefer airlines whose seats do not recline too far back.

HKP,

We flew United IAD-ZRH in May and I foolishly turned down an economy-+ offer for an additional $89.00 each at checkin.
We made sure we were at the airport early for the return flight two weeks later and were able to get EC-+ for an additional $99.00 each.

I recently signed on for EC-+ for next years trip, $299.00 and it covers the two of us r/t. I could not see EC-+ available seating until it was paid for,
but if seats are not available, the purchase can be canceled within a certain number of days.

I don't know which is the best, but avoid AirFrance. I have never been on an overseas airplane as cramped as the one we were on in July. (I'm only 5' 3")