Compare all airlines
All 16 airlines, side by side: seat width, seatbelt length, extenders, and second-seat policy, verified June 11, 2026, sortable by any column.
Tap a column heading to sort. Width shows the narrowest published figure first: the number safe to plan around. Why we lead with the smaller number.
| Airline | Economy width | Seatbelt | Extender | Second seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 16.2–18.7 in | Not published | Yes | Second seat at same fare; call ahead |
| Delta Air Lines | 17.3–18.6 in | Not published | Yes | Extra seat expected if encroaching |
| United Airlines | 16.3–18.4 in | Not published | Yes | Extra seat required if encroaching |
| Southwest Airlines | 15.5–17.8 in | Not published | Yes | Free at airport only if seats open (2026 policy) |
| Alaska Airlines | 16.3–18.2 in | 46 in | Yes | Second seat; refunded if flight had open seats |
| JetBlue | 17.8–19 in | 45 in | Yes | No size policy; extra seat optional |
| Spirit Airlines (ceased operations) | 16–17.5 in | Not published | Yes | Historical: airline ceased operations |
| Frontier Airlines | 16.5–19.1 in | Not published | Not published | Second seat required if encroaching |
| Allegiant Air | 17–17.8 in | Not published | Yes | Second seat at booking; armrest test |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 16.5–18 in | Not published | Not published | Second seat; refunded if flight had open seats |
| Air Canada | 17–18 in | Not published | Yes | Free extra seat within Canada (medical form) |
| British Airways | 16–18 in | Not published | Yes | Extra seat required if you cannot fit |
| Lufthansa | 17–18 in | Not published | Yes | Second seat at net fare; book by phone |
| Air France | 16–17.7 in | Not published | Yes | Second seat 25% off; refunded if flight not full |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | 16.3–18.1 in | 42.1-61.0 in | Yes | Extra seat ~75% of fare via customer service |
| Aer Lingus | 17–18 in | Not published | Yes | Extra seat at full fare |
Every number above is a summary. Each airline's page carries the per-aircraft figures, the full policy in plain language, and a link to every source.
Only 3 of 15 operating airlines
publish their seatbelt length.
If that strikes you as low, it is. And it's the single number an anxious traveler most wants the night before a flight.
Who actually publishes this?
This table is the accountability view: does the airline publish seat widths, seatbelt length, and an extender policy on its own website? "No" means we looked and it isn't there, not that we didn't check. And where the answer is "No," we ask the airline directly: the Asked column tracks who we've asked, when, and who answered. Silence is part of the record. How we treat direct answers.
| Airline | Widths | Belt | Extender | Asked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Yes | No | Yes | Not asked |
| Delta Air Lines | Yes | No | Yes | Not asked |
| United Airlines | No | No | Yes | Not asked |
| Southwest Airlines | Yes | No | Yes | Not asked |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not asked |
| JetBlue | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not asked |
| Spirit Airlines | No | No | Yes | – |
| Frontier Airlines | Yes | No | No | Not asked |
| Allegiant Air | Yes | No | Yes | Not asked |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Yes | No | No | Via Alaska |
| Air Canada | No | No | Yes | Not asked |
| British Airways | Yes | No | Yes | Not asked |
| Lufthansa | No | No | Yes | Not asked |
| Air France | Yes | No | Yes | Not asked |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not asked |
| Aer Lingus | Yes | No | Yes | Not asked |
The 3 who do: Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.