Airlines with the most legroom ?

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martyyn

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#302878 31-Dec-2022 11:24

My son and I have to make last minute flights to LHR. I'm 197 and he's 194cm.

Any suggestions on which airline can provide the most legroom ?

I've tried insisting on exit row seats on the past to be told they aren't available to be booked to then walk past people who's feet don't even hit the ground sitting in the seats. It's gutting when I can only put my legs in the gaps between the seats and they wont swap even when cabin crew ask them nicely and offer bribes.

Or do any allow you to book them now ?

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#3015484 31-Dec-2022 11:30

Most airlines allow you to book seats with better legroom if you pay a little extra when picking your seats. Best to go through a booking and see what's available - you don't have to make payment to do that usually.

gzt

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#3015485 31-Dec-2022 11:46

aren't available to be booked

That may be true in some cases meaning you need to ask on check-in or at the check-in counter specifically in that period.

Scotdownunder

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#3015486 31-Dec-2022 11:49

I suggest you look at the SeatGuru app which gives the seat layout of the specific plane on a route and the standard seat pitch. This will allow you to identify exactly which seats you want to book.

martyyn

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#3015488 31-Dec-2022 11:54

gzt:
aren't available to be booked

That may be true in some cases meaning you need to ask on check-in or at the check-in counter specifically in that period.

That's what we've been told before.

"We can't assign when booking, please ask at check in". Then "We cant assign at check-in, please ask on the plane". Get on the plane "oh you should've booked them or asked at check-in" :(

Mehrts

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#3015491 31-Dec-2022 12:08

Amputation at the knees is almost a viable option. 🤣

Said from some someone that's also 194cm. I purposely book exit row seats where possible.

johno1234

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#3015498 31-Dec-2022 13:11

It’s too late at check in, the exit row seats will be gone. Most airlines will let you book them for an extra fee. You need to sign up as an online account then book online. For Air NZ it’s typically a $150 add on. Seatguru.com explains the various cabin configurations.

I always try to get the 787 row 37 (iirc) exit row. Steven Adams couldn’t touch anything with his toes there.

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PolicyGuy

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#3015501 31-Dec-2022 13:39

Scotdownunder:

I suggest you look at the SeatGuru app which gives the seat layout of the specific plane on a route and the standard seat pitch. This will allow you to identify exactly which seats you want to book.

SeatGuru's Air NZ details are here: https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_New_Zealand/fleetinfo.php

Air NZ Premium Economy is quite comfy, even for tall and/or wide people.
Air NZ Economy (i.e. Cattle) is very squeezy for anyone tall or wide - check the figures linked above

If you have to travel economy class for budgetary reasons, pick an A380 - probably only Emirates a.t.m. - you'll get at least an inch more legroom and an inch more seat width than Air NZ.
Also the A380 is a much quieter and nicer aircraft to fly in than the B787 (any airline)

jamesrt

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#3015502 31-Dec-2022 13:42

We've just flown AirNZ long-haul to the US - tickets booked [via credits] by the travel agent; I then got the AirNZ booking code from her, and went online to do seat select. Exit row seats on the 12.5 hour flight were extra - $150 each; and that can also be paid on credits if you have them.

You can also put in a speculative bid for upgrade; you'll only be charged if the upgrade is approved just before the flight.

NZ6 Akl to LA we had row 34 - zero chance of being able to reach the bulkhead in front of us, so tons of leg room - but no window [except the small one in the door]. Only negative is the permitted loo was quite a way down the plane, just FYI.

johno1234

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#3015551 31-Dec-2022 14:16

With planes quite full the chances of a OneUp upgrade are close to nil. It’s the bottom of the preference ladder.

eracode

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#3015553 31-Dec-2022 14:20

jamesrt: We've just flown AirNZ long-haul to the US - tickets booked [via credits] by the travel agent; I then got the AirNZ booking code from her, and went online to do seat select. Exit row seats on the 12.5 hour flight were extra - $150 each; and that can also be paid on credits if you have them.

You can also put in a speculative bid for upgrade; you'll only be charged if the upgrade is approved just before the flight.

NZ6 Akl to LA we had row 34 - zero chance of being able to reach the bulkhead in front of us, so tons of leg room - but no window [except the small one in the door]. Only negative is the permitted loo was quite a way down the plane, just FYI.

A few months ago we paid Emirates modest fees to pick better seats in Economy to/from Germany via Dubai. We have flown a lot in recent years but still made the mistake of picking seats beside the emergency exit. They had massive leg room - but were adjacent to the centre bulkhead where they put the bassinets for the screaming kids. Also it's a semi-open area where people congregate when they want to stretch their legs on a 17-hour flight.

Won't make that mistake again.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

johno1234

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#3015556 31-Dec-2022 14:38

On flights to the USA they often ask/tell people not to congregate in the exit/galley area for security reasons. It’s not usually a problem but I always stretch my feet out to keep them out of my space anyway.

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Batman

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#3015557 31-Dec-2022 14:49

The old Air nz 777 PE has the craziest leg room. Not sure which planes still have that. I'm under 180 and can't touch the floor. Was so uncomfortable slouching for so many hours. Can't sit upright either as my thigh was too short.

networkn

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#3015559 31-Dec-2022 14:52

Emirates and Luthsana are the two worst A380 long haul carriers I have experienced for space. They pack you in like Sardines. To make it worse Lufthansa have the oldest crappiest infotainment system I've seen in many many years. Singapore to Germany was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've ever experienced and I am not a huge human being.

In my experience, A380's are designed to carry MANY people, for as little cost as possible. That means leg room and side room is non-existent.

IMO if you want leg room, you may need to upgrade a class or so.

Handle9

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#3015568 31-Dec-2022 16:28

networkn:
Emirates and Luthsana are the two worst A380 long haul carriers I have experienced for space. They pack you in like Sardines. To make it worse Lufthansa have the oldest crappiest infotainment system I've seen in many many years. Singapore to Germany was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've ever experienced and I am not a huge human being.

In my experience, A380's are designed to carry MANY people, for as little cost as possible. That means leg room and side room is non-existent.

IMO if you want leg room, you may need to upgrade a class or so.

I’ve flown the Emirates a380 economy a lot and found it good. It’s 32-34 inch pitch and 18.5 inch width. I’m a big guy (191cm tall and heavy) and haven’t had many problems with it. Their 777 economy sucks (17 inch width) but their a380 is my preferred long haul on the plane.

Handle9

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#3015569 31-Dec-2022 16:35

Singapore 777 and a350 aren’t great. We flew Air New Zealand Auckland to Singapore on Thursday and that was pretty good but I think that was our seats.

We were in row 47, which was next to the toilets with no one behind us. We had an extra inch or so of legroom compared to their standard legroom. It was one of the nicest flights I’ve had in a while.

QR is ok as well but really any economy product isn’t great.

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