Airlines measure legroom as seat pitch. The minimum distance required between seats by the UK Civil Aviation Authority's Airworthiness Notice No.64, issue 2 of the 29th October 2001.

Airline Leg-room Chart

Airlines measure legroom as seat pitch - the distance from the front of the seat to the back of the seat in front.

The minimum distance required between seats by the UK Civil Aviation Authority's Airworthiness Notice No.64, issue 2 of the 29th October 2001 is 26 inches. This is equivalent to a seat pitch of about 28 inches.

It's worth noting that only three airlines use the minimum . . . All British!

Oddly enough, the most leg room available in economy seating is on Air China, closely followed by Air India, (both countries, of course?, noted for their extra tall citizens).

The information should be used as a guide only as the pitch may vary according to the type of aircraft operated by the airline and is subject to change by the airline without notice.

Airlines are listed in alphabetical order. * - Indicates UK main "Budget" carriers.

Airline (Economy seats)	Inches
Aer Lingus	29-32
Air Canada	31-34
Air Europa Spain	29-30
Air France	31
Air Madrid	32
Air Portugal	33
American Airlines	33-35
BMI UK	32
BMI Baby	29 *
BA	31
Cathay P'fic	32
Continental	31-32
"" Express	31
Delta	30-33
Easyjet	29 *
Emirates	32-34
Flybe	31 *
GB Airways	31
Iberia Spain	31-32
Jet2 UK	30 *

JetBlue USA	32
KLM	31-32
Midwest USA	34
"" Express	33-34
Monarch	28-30 *
MyTravel UK	28-30 *
NorthWest	30-32
Qantas	31-32
Ryanair	30 *
SkyWest USA	31
Song USA	33
Southwest US	32-34
Spanair Spain	31
TAP	33
Thomas Cook	28-33 *
United USA	31-33
"" Express	31-33
US Airways	31-34
"" Express	30-31
"" Shuttle	33-34
Virgin Atlantic	31
Zoom Canada	31