Which airline, Qatar, Emirates, or Etihad, offers the most legroom in Economy class?

The three big Middle Eastern carriers, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad, are known for providing a superior onboard experience across all cabin classes. All three airlines recently won in the AirlineRatings Airline of The Year Awards 2024. However, a question arises as to which airline offers the most room in Economy class.

Qatar Airways has a diverse fleet, which results in a range of seat pitch measurements. The seat pitch on their A380 and A350 aircraft is 31-32 inches, while the Boeing 777 aircraft varies from 31-33 inches. The 787 Dreamliners have a 31-inch pitch, and the A330 has a 32-inch pitch. Seat width also varies from 16.9 inches to 18.5 inches on Qatar Airways.

Emirates operates a fleet of 777 and A380 aircraft, with a minimum seat pitch of 32 inches and a maximum of 34 inches. The seat width is consistent at 17 inches on the 777 aircraft and 18 inches on the A380.

Similarly, Etihad’s fleet consists of various aircraft types, resulting in different seat pitch and width measurements. The 787 Dreamliners offer a 31-32 inch seat pitch and a 17-inch width. The Boeing 777 and A330 can have seat pitches ranging from 31.5 inches to 33 inches, with a consistent width of 17.5 inches. The A380 aircraft also provides economy passengers with a 17.5-inch seat width and a 31-inch seat pitch.

While there is no clear shining star in terms of Economy class seat dimensions among these three airlines, Emirates stands out for its consistency in seat pitch and width. Qatar Airways may offer the most personal space with its 33-inch seat pitch and 18-inch seat width, but it is challenging to predict which specific aircraft configuration passengers will encounter.

Despite the challenges of long-haul economy travel, these three airlines’ exceptional onboard products in Economy class make the journey more enjoyable for passengers. Figures were obtained from SeatGuru and Airline PR sources.