Most US airlines offer economy passengers the option to pay extra for a more comfortable flight experience. Airlines refer to these “special” seats by various names, but the concept is the same. You’re paying for a few extra inches of legroom, which can be the difference between not having enough space for your knees throughout the flight and being able to use your laptop if the person seated in front of you reclines.
Airline Terminology for Extra Legroom Seats
Here are the names airlines use for their extra-legroom economy seats (and, in a couple of cases, the upgraded “front of plane” options that people often confuse with them):
- Alaska Airlines – Premium Class
- American Airlines – Main Cabin Extra
- Delta Air Lines – Delta Comfort (a.k.a. Comfort+)
- Frontier – Premium Seating (extra legroom) and UpFront Plus (front rows with an empty middle seat)
- JetBlue – Extra legroom seats (sold as part of JetBlue’s EvenMore options)
- Spirit – Premium Seat (extra legroom) and Big Front Seat (wider “big chair” experience)
- United Airlines – Economy Plus
- Southwest – Extra Legroom seats (part of assigned seating for flights departing on/after January 27, 2026)
These seats are usually toward the front of the economy cabin, and some bulkhead and exit-row seats often get sold as “extra legroom,” but exact locations vary by aircraft.
Our Experience with Extra Legroom Seats
We’ve tried out different airplane seats, sometimes spending more money to get better legroom or getting free upgrades due to our frequent flyer status or operational upgrades. As a result, I have a clear idea of what I’m willing to pay for a comfortable seat. However, airlines are becoming increasingly unreasonable with their pricing, sometimes charging exorbitant amounts for just a couple of extra inches of legroom.
American Airlines: Pricey Upgrades
On this 3-hour American Airlines flight, they charged $100 for bulkhead and exit-row seats and a minimum of $70 for other Main Cabin Extra seats. Preferred seats, which have no extra legroom, were going for $30+.
Delta Air Lines: Comfort+ Seats
On a flight on Delta to New York from Orlando, they were asking a minimum of $70 for a Delta Comfort (Comfort+) seat assignment. That’s a pretty typical price on this route, and for it, you’ll usually get a few extra inches of legroom, earlier boarding, and dedicated overhead bin space.
Delta also includes complimentary drinks in Comfort+ on many flights (beer and wine on flights over 251 miles, and spirits on flights over 500 miles, when offered). It’s a nice perk — but not one I’m willing to pay $70 for, especially since those seats are usually full anyway.
JetBlue: Worth the Splurge
Finally, there’s one airline where I’m willing to pay for the extra legroom — JetBlue.
JetBlue has reshuffled how it sells these seats, but the idea is the same: you can book a regular fare and then pay to select an extra legroom seat (and JetBlue also markets a broader EvenMore experience with additional perks, depending on how you buy it).
Of all the airlines, JetBlue gives you something that feels meaningfully better than the regular seats — and their regular economy legroom is already competitive. Depending on the aircraft, the extra-legroom seats can be noticeably roomier than what you’d get from other carriers’ “plus” seats.
We paid $60 each for the upgrade for our flight from JFK to Orlando.
As you can see, I had plenty of space on this A320, as my feet didn’t even reach my backpack under the seat in front of me.
When I pay for the upgrade to extra legroom seats, my wife, Sharon, says it’s a waste of money for her because she always has enough legroom (Note from Sharon: I’m 4’6″).
Another reason I’m willing to pay for the extra room when flying with JetBlue is that I can be productive on the flight. With JetBlue’s usually dependable Fly-Fi, I can pull out my laptop and get work done.
Final Thought
When it comes to paying for extra legroom seats, JetBlue is the only airline that consistently offers good value.
Southwest note: If you’re thinking “what about Southwest?” — they’re changing too. For flights departing on/after January 27, 2026, Southwest is moving to assigned seating and will sell seat types including Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard. Their Extra Legroom seats are planned for select areas (the front of the cabin and near exit rows) and may include perks such as earlier access to overhead bin space, enhanced snacks, and complimentary premium beverages. In other words, even Southwest is joining the “pay for legroom” club.
Other airlines tend to overprice these seats, mainly because passengers with status can claim the upgrades before the flight, if they are still available.
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