Getting a nice seat on a plane is basically the start of your trip. This is why everyone would like to know airplane seats types, since each aircraft has its own type of seats. Frequent travellers already know that each airline offers certain airplane seats types. If you know this nuance your flight will be much more enjoyable.
The size of the airline seat is important to know, since this is your comfort, regardless whether you are travelling on holidays or on a business trip. If you are aware of the seat types on a plane, you can request a particular seat on the plane while booking a flight or during registration for the flight.
Types of seats in flight and prices for seats are different. Every seat on a plane corresponds to a certain type of passenger and level of comfort. For example, the first class airplane seats are wider and bigger compared to regular seats on planes. First class airplane seats are more expensive as to the price for standard flight seats since travelers pay for more services when buying this type of seats in flight.
Basically, when you are selecting plane seat types, you are choosing the class of services on a plane and this is what you are paying for.
A lot of airline companies established two-seat combinations, some airlines have three-seat combinations. Some of the airlines have different airline types of seats – 2 seats on one side of the plane and 3 seats on another side of the plane.
As a rule, more comfortable and larger in size seats belong to a higher class of airplane seats type and are more expensive.
Economy Class Airplane Seats
Economy Class Seats are also known as standard airplane seats or coach seats. These are the main airplane seats types most commonly booked by travellers.
The 3 seat configuration of Economy Class Airplane Seats is the most common on the International flights. Economy Class Seats are the cheapest seats for the flights.
On Boeing 747-400 airplanes the configuration of the economy class seats is 3-4-3 layout: 3 seats near the windows on each side of the plane and 4 seats in the middle section of the airplane. Economy class seats are 17-18 inches wide and 31-32 inches legroom.
Airplanes, like Airbus 380, also have 3-4-3 airplane seats configuration. These aircrafts can accommodate more passengers on board traveling internationally. This type of the aircrafts also has an upstairs section and downstairs section for more comfortable flight.
Smaller aircrafts have 2-3-2 seats layout, but as a rule these airplanes perform only domestic flights and no international flights.
Airplanes like Boeing 777 offer 2-5-2 airplane seats layout. Such airplane configuration allows it to take more passengers for the flight.
You can easily book Economy Class Seats for the flight if you know the type of airplane. Be aware that different types of airplane seats for the economy class are now offered for travelers.
Contents
Economy Plus Seat Type
Plenty of airlines offer “economy plus” airplane seat types. These seats are called Economy XL or Economy Comfort. Economy Plus seat types include the same range as economy class, the only difference is more legroom, the Economy XL seats are more comfortable and a bit more expensive.
Economy Class Seats Codes/Letter Designations
When flying by the economy class you may have paid attention to the letters in your flight ticket. Here is the list of Economy class letter designations with explanations:
B – Economy/Coach, upgradable to Code M or another type
E – Economy/Coach Discounted
G – Economy/Coach Discounted
H – Economy/Coach Discounted, can be upgraded to Business Class
K – Economy/Coach Discounted
L – Economy/Coach Discounted
M – Economy/Coach Discounted, can be upgraded to Business Class
N – Economy/Coach Discounted
O – Economy/Coach Discounted
Q – Economy/Coach Discounted
S – Economy/Coach Discounted, on some airlines stands for “super comfort” and refers to Business Class
T – Economy/Coach Discounted
U – Shuttle Service, no seat guaranteed nor reservation needed
V – Economy/Coach Discounted
W – Economy/Coach Discounted (or Premium, or Award)
X – Economy/Coach Discounted Award
Y – Economy/Coach
Please double check with your airline in any case, since these codes may differ depending on the airline.
Premium Economy Class Airplane Seats Types
Premium Economy Class offers more services and is a bit more expensive compared to the Economy Class Airplane Seats.
The advantages of Premium Economy Class Airplane Seats Types include access to the lounge area in the airport, wider seats and bigger TV screens. Premium Economy Class Airplane Seats are more convenient, and have up to 6 inches more legroom. Also the food offered for passengers of the Premium Economy Class will include complimentary drinks and a more diverse menu.
For the first time Premium Economy Class Seats were introduced by EVA Air in 1991. On the whole Premium Economy Seats are something between economy class seats and business class airplane seats.
If you are booking Premium Economy Seats for the plane better to double check directly with the air company to make sure this is what you want. The air companies may call this premium type seats differently.
What is included in Premium Economy Plane Seats?
When you book a Premium Economy Plane seat you can get sleep masks, toothbrushes and earplugs. The list of these items is different for every airline. Booking a Premium Economy airplane seat you may also take advantage of hot towel services on board, accruing frequent flyer points, sometimes even at-seat phones.
Business Class Flight Seats
Business class seats are, of course, more comfortable, and are bigger in size. In most cases business class flight seats are 21 inches wide and 57 inches legroom. In some aircrafts business class seats are even bigger.
Business class airplane seats were created for the business passengers, who spend a lot of time on trips and need to stay in touch and work while travelling. This is why extra space and additional services are included in business class plane seats and are more expensive.
Business class travelers will get their drinks in real glasses and dishes will be served with real forks and knives. Free drinks and food are included into the business class seats price.
Given these advantages of business class flight seats you may stop on booking such a seat for a long flight since it is much more convenient.
Business Class Seats Codes
Business Class Seats have one of 5 letters in the code:
C – Full Fare Business Class
D – Business Class Discounted
I – Business Class Discounted
J – Full Fare Business Class
Z – Business Class Discounted
If you have a small “n” letter in the coe it means nighttime flight.
First Class Airplane Seats
First Class Airplane Seats are located in the very front of the aircraft, are 1-2 inches wider compared to business class flight seats, and have from 10 to 30 inches bigger legroom for the seat. You see these seats when you enter the plane.
The advantages of First Class Airplane Seats are: bigger space for the seat, great cuisine, real dishes and glasses, slippers, cocktails. Some airlines offer a personal attendant for the passengers of First class seats.
Several air carriers offer their first class passenger seats which look like suites, where you can sleep. These have 1 or more separate lavatory.
The competition between the airlines grows and nowadays even chairs and beds are offered for the travelers who purchase first class airplane seats. All of these additional amenities offered on the board of a plane result in much higher prices for flight tickets.
First Class Seats Codes
The First Class Airplane Seats codes are:
A – First Class Discounted
F – Full Fare First Class
P – First Class
R – First Class Suites
“F” refers to a seat on a 2 cabin airplane for the flight performed within the US.
“P” refers to Premium, for the flight seats on a 3 cabin plane and presumes services of a higher class.
Before you confirm your flight reservation we advise you to check with the airlines directly all issues related to seat class if you are not certain of which seat class to purchase online.
Thank you for sharing useful information! It is so complicated sometimes to understand these differences between the classes of the seats in the airplanes, but now I will be more prepared to select the right seat when booking a flight ticket. Thank you!
Hello, I have noticed that sometimes when booking a flight online there is an option to get the seat on a plane right away. But this option is not free of charge and you need to pay some extra dollars to get the seat you want. Is it worth paying for seat selection?
Hi Sadie, you are right, now you can pre-select the seat on a plane and to make sure it is booked by you, you need to pay some extra money. As a rule this is not big amount, within $10-$30 dollars per seat. I think it is worth paying, especially if you are traveling with a family and want to make sure your seats are nearby. I know some travelers prefer not to pay and just take their chance to get the seat they want during the registration. But they will get it only if it is free. So, if you are planning a long flight and have kids with you, better to make sure your seats are reserved, just my point of view.
Hi! Please advise, how do you buy two seats on a plane?
Do you mean 2 seats for one person or buying 2 seats on a plane for 2 travelers? If there are 2 persons traveling together you just pre-book 2 seats together, if they are free at the moment you purchase the ticket, this is it. But if 1 person is traveling by plane and wants to have 2 seats booked for himself, than you just buy 2 seats. You will have to pay for these 2 seats the full price of the tickets. As far I know some airlines make it easy now to comply with social distancing procedures, and you can book 2 seats on a plane online. Also, you can call the airlines directly and check with them directly how to book 2 seats for 1 traveler. Hope it helps!
Hi, I am just trying to book airplane seats for our next flight, but I can’t find Seat B… Is it some kind of mistake? Is A or B the window seat by the way? Thank you!
Hi! the seats’ layout depends on the type of the aircraft, this is why in some places you will see 2+2 seating. And in this case the seats will be marked A-C-D-F in order to keep the standard seating structure, where A and F seats are the window seats. So if you do not see B seat, this is possible, just check which aircraft is planned for this flight.
Hope it helps, wish you a nice flight!
I totally agree with the previous comment – all depends on the types of the aircraft! You should check what type of the plane is scheduled for a particular flight, but be aware, this information may not be always available, sometimes it is open closer to the date of the flight only. If there is no B seat this is just the seating layout.
Hello, can anyone explain please. how many seats are in first class on a plane? Thank you!
As far as I know there are from 12 to 20 first class seats on a plane. Again, all depends on the configuration of the aircraft.
In total there are 120-160 regular coach seats on a plane.
The number of the first class seats on airplane is very limited, usually from 10 to 20.
It depends on the seating map in the plane. In most cases there are up to 18 full coaches. If this is a sleeper berth, they are extremely wide. The coaches should have sleeping accommodation as well as privacy features.
Hello, just out of curiosity, does anybody know, what is the most popular seat on a plane? Thanks !
Hi! As far as I know the aisle seats are the most popular on a plane. The aisle seats are booked more often by frequent travelers and this is because of the more extra space for legs and easy access to restroom. Also you can faster leave the airplane upon landing if you have an aisle seat on a plane.
Hey guys! What seat is best on an airplane? What is your opinion?
Hello! That’s a good question 🙂 I think it depends on your preferences, for me, for example, the best seat on airplane is an aisle seat in the middle of the aircraft. I always try too book aisle seats since for me they are more convenient, I have more freedom and space. Also, I can get up and make a few steps if the flight is really long. On the other hand sometimes it is a bit irritating when too many people are passing by 🙂 As I mentioned, you should decide for yourself and select which is the best seat on the airplane based on your needs and preferences.
Personally I like the seats at the window, and preferably in the middle of the airplane. For me these are the most comfortable seats 🙂 Just my point of view.
I always book seats at the back of the airplane. As far as I know these seats are considered to be the most safe on airplanes. The only exception when I don’t book seats in the back is when I have a connection flight and need to leave the plane soonest to catch up the next flight. Otherwise these are the best seats for me.
Where is the best seat in an airline for economy class?
Hello! The best seats for the economy class on a plane are the exit or aisle seats, which are close to the front. Window seats at the front are also considered the best. Frequent air travelers prefer aisle seats close to the front of a plane to be to quickly exit the plane upon arrival to the airport.
What seat is F on a plane?
If you are traveling by plane with a 2+2 seating structure, the seats are marked as “ACDF” to keep with the standard of A/F window and C/D aisle seats on short-haul aircraft.
If the plane has 3+3 seating structure, F would be marked for middle seats.