Last Updated on November 13, 2024 by Stacey Levesque
Are you tired of feeling cramped in an airline seat? Whether you need extra legroom, have a bad back, or want a more comfortable flying experience, understanding the nuances of airplane seating can make a big difference. Let’s dive into the details to help you find the best seat for your needs.
Why Seat Pitch Matters
When flying, the distance from the back of your seat to the back of the seat in front of you, known as seat pitch, can vary significantly between airlines and aircraft types. For example, Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat typically offer a 31-inch seat pitch in economy, while Air Canada Rouge and Sunwing have a tighter 29-inch pitch. Although a difference of one or two inches might seem minor, it can greatly impact your comfort, especially on longer flights.
Preferred Economy Seating
If you need more legroom, consider booking preferred economy seating, which usually offers a few extra inches of space. These seats, located in the first few rows or exit rows, can be reserved for an additional fee after booking. However, note that exit row seats require you to be physically capable of assisting in an emergency, so they aren’t available to children, the elderly, or those with physical impairments.
Airline-Specific Seating Options
Air Canada Rouge: Premium Rouge offers a separate cabin with older-style North American Business Class seats, featuring a 35–38-inch seat pitch and slightly wider seats with more recline.
Air Canada: Mainline Air Canada flights offer a Premium Economy cabin on wide-body aircraft, with a 35-inch seat pitch, upgraded meals, free luggage and seat selection, and priority boarding. Other international airlines like British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa also offer Premium Economy on wide-body aircraft, which book quickly due to high demand.
WestJet and Air Transat: WestJet’s Premium cabin is available on all narrow-body aircraft and 787s to Europe and Hawaii. Air Transat’s Club Class offers similar benefits on both narrow and wide-body aircraft. However, these upgraded seats are limited in number, so early booking is essential.
Porter Airlines:
Porter Airlines flies Embraer jets from Pearson and Q400 turboprops from Toronto City Centre for shorter North American routes. They offer “no middle seats,” with 2×2 economy seating and a traditional 31-inch pitch.
Low-Cost Carriers
Canada Jetlines, Spirit, and Southwest offer premium seat selection but lack separate upgraded cabins. Due to their unreliability with schedule changes and cancellations, we recommend avoiding these carriers unless you have flexible travel plans.
Booking Tips
Book Early: If you know you need more legroom, book as early as possible. Prices will rise, and availability will decrease as the departure date approaches. While you can upgrade your seat at the airport, the chances of securing your desired seat are slim, and the savings may not be significant.
Communicate Your Needs: Let your tripcentral.ca agent know if you require extra space or an upgraded cabin experience. This information can influence your destination choice, travel dates, and airline selection.
Detecting Upgrades: tripcentral.ca often indicates whether an aircraft is wide-body or narrow-body and if Premium or Business upgrades are available. However, aircraft changes between booking and travel are possible, though rare.
Look for the Upgrade Button: Use the upgrade search options on tripcentral.ca, or better yet, consult with our agents well in advance to secure upgraded seats. Peak travel times, such as Christmas, March Break, and summer holidays, require even earlier bookings.
Let’s Get You in a Seat You Deserve
Contact one of our agents to discuss your upcoming travel plans and explore the best seating options available for you. Enjoy a more comfortable and enjoyable flying experience with the expert guidance of tripcentral.ca.
