Row spacing, seat width, screen: ultimate guide to European premium economy

Those who choose to travel in Premium Economy instead of Economy, does it to have dedicated check-in desks, a Better 'position' during boarding, enjoy a better food & beverage, one larger IFE screen But most importantly, To have more personal space in terms of seat width and distance between rows of seats, especially on flights exceeding 7 to 8 hours, when being confined in the cramped spaces of some Economy can become an ordeal.

In recent years, there has been an increase in very long-haul flights, partly due to the fact that so many airlines flying between Europe and the Far East avoid Russian airspace, with flight times being significantly affected. And, in tandem with this, there has been an increase in demand for premium economy seats and a consequent increase and improvement in supply.

Although Premium Economy was 'invented' in Asia, by Taiwan's Eva Air in 1992, in Europe, the concept has caught on quickly over the past 15 to 20 years, to the point that there are very few airlines left that do not have a premium cabin on aircraft used for long-haul.

Among those with a fleet of at least 50 aircraft and a network spanning at least a couple of continents (besides Europe, of course) are essentially four: Tap Air Portugal, Air Europa, Aer Lingus and Turkish Airlines. Conversely, about 20 carriers have an intermediate cabin between Economy and Business Class.

In many cases buying a Premium ticket can involve an expense that can be as much as two to three times that of Economy. So in doing so, it is good to keep in mind what we will be offered in return for that extra money spent.

And, notwithstanding the fact that there are companies that, with a PE ticket also offer fast track at security checkpoints and/or an amenity kit of some kind, and the fact that knowing how one will eat and drink is difficult to assess, The cold numbers that describe the personal space that will be enjoyed on board (and the size of the screen with which, perhaps for hours, you will try to spend your time on board in the least boring way possible) do not lie.

Here, then, company by company, the 'measurements' of what Premium Economy offers in Europe by considering three factors: the 'pitch,' i.e., the distance between the rows of seats (a.k.a., the legroom available); the width of the seat's seat; and the size of the IFE screen. This is expressed in inches (with one inch equaling 2.54 centimeters).

To have a 'compass' to follow, both at the European and global level, the average seat row spacing in premium economy is 38 inches (96cm), whereby everything above that measure is excellent and everything below is below the average product. For example, the 'top' in this area is Norse with 43 inches (110cm), but ITA and Air France are also very good, offering 40 inches (101cm) pitch on some aircraft.

As for chair seat, the average size is 19 inches (48cm) and rarely go over or under (although there are cases of 20-inch or 51cm seats). Finally, speaking of IFE screen size, today's standard is around 13 inches, and generally screens below 12 inches are to be considered 'small' and anything over 13 inches is to be considered 'fat.'

Air France

Airbus A330-200: pitch 40 inches (101cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13.3 inches
Airbus A350-900: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13.3 inches
Boeing 777-200ER and -300ER: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13.3 inches
Boeing 787-9: pitch 40 inches (101cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13.3 inches

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES

Boeing 767-300ER: pitch 39 inches (99cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 11.7 inches
Boeing 777-200ER: pitch 37 inches (94cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 11.7 inches
Boeing 787-9: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13 inches

BRITISH AIRWAYS

Airbus A380: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 10.6 inches
Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787-10: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 12 inches
Boeing 777-200ER, -300ER, 787-8 and 787-9: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 10.6 or 12 inches

BRUSSELS AIRLINES

Airbus A330-300: pitch 34 inches (86cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13.3 inches

Condor

Airbus A330-900: pitch 35 inches (89cm), seat 18 inches (46cm), IFE 13.3 inches

FINNAIR

Airbus A330-300 and A350-900: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13 inches

FRENCHBEE

Airbus A350-900: pitch 36 inches (91cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 12 inches
Airbus A350-1000: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 12 inches

IBERIA

Airbus A330-300 and Airbus A350-900: pitch 37 inches (94cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 12 inches

ITA AIRWAYS

Airbus A330-900: pitch 40 inches (101cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 16.6 inches
Airbus A350-900: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 11.6 inches
Airbus A321neo: pitch 40 inches (101cm), seat 20 inches (51cm), IFE 15.6 inches

KLM

Boeing 777-200ER, -300ER, 787-9 and 787-10: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 18.5 inches (47cm), IFE 13.3 inches

LOT

Boeing 787-8 and -9: pitch 37 inches (94cm), seat 20 inches (51cm), IFE 10.5 inches

LUFTHANSA

Airbus A380, A350-900 (not Allegris), A340-300, A330-300, Boeing 747-400 and 747-8: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 11.7 inches
Airbus A350 (Allegris): pitch 39 inches (99cm), seat 20 inches (51cm), IFE 15.6 inches
Boeing 787-9 (not allegris): pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13 inches

NEOS

Boeing 787-9: pitch 42 inches (106cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 11 inches

NORSE

Boeing 787-9: pitch 43 inches (110cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 11 inches

SAS

Airbus A330-300 and A350-900: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 13.3 inches
Airbus A321LR: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 20 inches (51cm), IFE 16 inches

SWISS

Airbus A330-300 and Airbus A340-300, Boeing 777-300ER: pitch 39 inches (99cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 15.6 inches

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Airbus A330-300: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 20 inches (51cm), IFE 10.5 inches
Airbus A330-900 and A350-1000: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 18.5 inches (47cm), IFE 13.3 inches
Boeing 787-9: pitch 38 inches (96cm), seat 19 inches (48cm), IFE 11.1 inches

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