This Airline Just Made Its Economy Seats Bigger

It’s not exactly news when one of the big three airlines does something to make its economy seats worse, but it is when one actually makes them better. Kudos to Delta for its newly refurbished Boeing 777-200s, which feature fewer economy seats per row to maintain some elbow room.

Delta is keeping regular economy seats at nine-across rather than the 10-across that has become almost the norm for 777s on other airlines. As a result, these planes will have the widest regular economy seats in the business, along with the few other airlines that keep their economy seats nine-across. Delta’s 777 economy seats will be 18.5 inches wide, compared to the 17-inch width on American and United’s 777s.

These planes will also have Delta’s new business class “suite” seating, in addition to a new true premium economy cabin called Premium Select. Delta expects to have the refurbishment completely rolled out by the end of 2019. If you’re looking for Delta’s new premium economy, you’ll find it on all 350s and on an increasing number of 777s.

If you’re in regular economy like the rest of us, though, you can bet on better-than-average seats in Delta’s 777s.

More from SmarterTravel:

• FAA Says ‘No’ to Roomier Seats
• World’s Largest Airline Will Add Seats, Reduce Legroom
• Should Airlines Get Rid of Reclining Seats? This One Is

Consumer advocate Ed Perkins has been writing about travel for more than three decades. The founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, he continues to inform travelers and fight consumer abuses every day at SmarterTravel.