I fly regularly, and along the way, I've spent time in every cabin: first, business, premium economy, and economy.
While nothing beats a lie-flat seat, I often book premium economy when I want a little more comfort without the business-class price tag. The extra recline, footrest, larger screen, and amenity kit can make a long-haul flight feel much more manageable.
United's Premium Plus is the one I know best, and like Delta and American, it offers about 38 inches of seat pitch, which is pretty standard these days. But I recently learned I can do even better than that.
The five airlines listed below go well beyond 38 inches, in some cases by as much as 4 extra inches, though usually only on certain aircraft. Note: Seat pitch is the industry standard for how to measure legroom.
After digging into the details, I'm already rethinking what I'll book for my next long flight.
In this article
Japan Airlines: JAL Sky Premium
JAL’s premium product is impressive for legroom, offering approximately 42 inches of pitch on the Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 777-300ER, and Boeing 787.
The seats are far comfier than coach at nearly 19 inches wide on planes such as the Airbus A350-1000, and use a fixed-shell design that allows the seat to recline without tilting backward into another passenger’s personal space.
On that note, if you can, choose the A350-1000. Its motorized legrests rise to 90 degrees for comfortable stretching, and its 16-inch 4K screen is 1.3 times larger than previous models. It also has Bluetooth, which means you may use your own wireless headphones, which is a big step up from the older versions.
The A350-1000 flies from Tokyo (HND) to New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). Premium fares include two checked bags of up to 50 pounds each, a dedicated check-in counter, priority boarding, priority baggage delivery at eligible airports, and long-haul amenities. Lounge access depends on your airport and ticket.
Sample round-trip fares on the A350-1000 from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (HND) run about $4,621, as of publication.
EVA Air: Fourth-Generation Premium Economy
EVA Air actually invented premium economy back in 1992 when it was introduced as Evergreen Deluxe Class.
Now, its latest fourth-generation cabin offers 42 inches of pitch and what the airline describes as a business-class-like experience. You'll only find these seats on the Boeing 787-9, so double-check your aircraft before booking. The premium economy seats on 777-300ERs, for example, utilize an older product with just 38 inches of pitch.
But back to the 787-9. The cabin has 28 seats in a two-three-two layout, and when you recline, the cushion slides forward and upward rather than into the person behind you.
You'll also find side privacy panels with reading lights, a 15.6-inch screen, a six-way adjustable leather headrest, power outlets, storage in the armrests and seatback, and a bottle holder. If you snag a front-row seat, you'll get an extended leg rest for even more comfort. Fares also include an amenity kit, pillow and blanket, headphones, seasonal meals with wine and beer, and priority baggage service. That’s a far cry from basic economy.
EVA flies to Taipei (TPE) from New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and Washington, D.C. (IAD), plus from Houston (IAH) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Just remember to check for the aircraft type if you’re looking for the 787-9.
Sample round-trip fares from U.S. cities to Taipei (TPE) start at $1,801, as of publication.
Air New Zealand: Premium Economy
Air New Zealand's newest premium economy seat, found on its Boeing 787-9s, gives you 41 inches of pitch and 19 inches of width.
The fixed back-shell design helps protect personal space, and the winged headrest adds a bit of privacy. Older 777-300ERs and 787-9s offer between 41 and 42 inches, while the older 777-367ER drops to 39 to 40 inches, so it's worth checking which aircraft you'll be on.
Air New Zealand flies nonstop to Auckland (AKL) from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Houston (IAH), Honolulu (HNL), and New York (JFK), and premium economy is available on all five routes.
Fares include two carry-on bags, two checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, free standard seat selection, premium headphones, and an amenity kit. Wi-Fi is free on most aircraft.
Sample one-way premium economy fares run about $1,697 from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) and $2,252 from New York (JFK) to Auckland (AKL), as of publication.
Cathay Pacific: Premium Economy
Cathay Pacific offers 40 inches of pitch in premium economy on its Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-300ER.
The seat width, meanwhile, varies. You’ll have 19 inches on the Airbus A350 and about 21 inches on the Boeing 777-300ER with the premium economy cabin that launched in 2024. The retrofit is still in progress, so not every 777 has the new seats yet, and the aircraft you fly on can vary depending on your route and the season.
Cathay offers premium economy on all long-haul flights between Hong Kong (HKG) and North America, and the retrofitted 777 flies select routes from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO).
Seats have enhanced recline, calf rests, adjustable headrests, and in-seat power. On the 777, each seat also gets a 15.6-inch 4K screen and privacy wings, and the cabin has two dedicated lavatories. Fares include an amenity kit, pillow, blanket, priority boarding, upgraded meals, and complimentary wine and spirits.
Sample round-trip fares from Los Angeles (LAX) to Hong Kong (HKG) start at $2,687 as of publication.
Emirates: a350 Premium Economy
Emirates' new A350 Premium Economy seats are 19.5 inches wide, with up to 40 inches of pitch and 8 inches of recline. Emirates says it's the world's first electrically powered premium economy seat with a privacy screen. The U-Dream headrest can be shaped to support your head and neck, and with the deeper recline and raised leg rest, it's easy to get comfortable on a long flight.
Emirates flies premium economy to Dubai (DXB) from New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), Miami (MIA), Houston (IAH), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and Orlando (MCO). There are additional routes that offer premium economy and skip Dubai, though the product varies depending on the plane.
Fares for the A350, however, include a 35-kilogram (about 77-pound) baggage allowance, priority boarding, complimentary spirits and wine, meals served on Royal Doulton china, headphones, and an amenity kit with socks, an eye shade, and Aveda skincare. Wi-Fi is free on Starlink-equipped aircraft. Lounge access costs extra unless you hold certain elite status or above.
Sample premium economy round-trip fares from New York (JFK) to Dubai (DXB) start at $3,140, as of publication.
The Outlier: Norse Atlantic
If you're looking just at seat pitch, Norse Atlantic comes out on top. Its “Biz Premium” cabin offers 43 inches of pitch on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, an inch more than JAL and EVA Air.
But Norse is a low-cost, long-haul carrier, and its premium product is a different experience from the cabins above. Norse uses an unbundled fare model, so things like baggage, seat selection, and selected meals are only included if you pay for them or choose a higher fare.
The Shortcut
Check the plane, not just the airline: The same carrier classifies premium economy at 42 inches on one aircraft and 38 on another, so look up the aircraft type before you pay the upcharge.
Not all leg rests are equal: One airline’s rises a full 90 degrees, but you’ll only get it on one specific aircraft.
The roomiest seat on paper has a catch: It comes from a budget carrier, and the base fare doesn’t cover your bags or seat selection.
