British holidaymakers heading for the sun-drenched coasts of Spain, France, and Italy can now enjoy a more comfortable flight without spending an extra penny. A clever piece of pre-flight research can unlock hidden extra legroom on several major airlines.
The Ingenious Website Revealing Plane Secrets
The key to this travel hack is the website AeroLopa, which provides detailed maps of aircraft used by UK carriers. It has revealed that on certain planes, simply selecting a seat on one specific side of the aisle can gift you precious extra inches of space. This isn't just about the obvious emergency exit rows; even standard rows on aircraft operated by Ryanair and easyJet can have a noticeable difference.
Airline-Specific Guide to Free Legroom
So, which airlines offer this perk and how can you benefit? Here is a breakdown for the major carriers.
Ryanair's Boeing 737-800
Ryanair's fleet relies heavily on the Boeing 737-800. For passengers on this aircraft, choosing seats D, E, or F in rows 3 to 15 provides a seat pitch of 29.5 inches. This is half an inch more than the seats on the left-hand side of the same rows. This is a significant saving, as selecting these specific seats can cost as little as £4.50, compared to the airline's official 'extra legroom' seats which start at £12. A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed that their average seat pitch is 29 inches, which is already an inch more than the industry standard.
easyJet's Airbus A320-214
For those flying with easyJet on its Airbus A320-214 aircraft, the sweet spot is on the right-hand side in rows 14 to 29. Here, you can gain an additional half an inch of legroom. Standard seat selection on easyJet starts from 99p, while their dedicated extra legroom seats begin at £7.99. An easyJet spokesperson stated that most of their aircraft have a minimum seat pitch of 29 inches, giving customers the option to choose their seat for a small fee.
British Airways' Varied Fleet
British Airways operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing planes, and the opportunities for more space vary. On long-haul flights using the Boeing 787-8 Type 78E, passengers in rows 22-24 and 31-34 in seats H, J, and K are in for a treat with a generous 32.4 inches of pitch, far more than the standard 31 inches. Conversely, seats in rows 23 to 25 on the ABC side offer the least space at just 30.5 inches. For shorter trips on an Airbus A320 or A320neo, be wary of row 30, which has only 28 inches of pitch. However, on the Airbus A321 type 21V (outside Club Europe), rows 15 to 22 offer the most room at 30.1 inches—a gain of 1.1 inches over other standard seats.
Why Your Homework Pays Off
This discovery highlights a simple truth for savvy travellers: a small amount of research before you fly can have a major impact on your in-flight comfort. By consulting resources like AeroLopa and knowing which specific seats to target, you can effectively upgrade your journey to Europe's top holiday destinations without inflating your travel budget. It pays to do your homework before you take your seat.
