Extra legroom prices 2025: The cheapest (and priciest) airlines

Beat the squeeze in the economy with extra legroom seats; here’s how much they cost in 2025. Flying can be a lot more comfortable when you have room to stretch your legs. 

Extra legroom seats give travellers the chance to spread out in economy class, but they do come at an additional cost. Below, we break down what you can expect to pay for extra legroom across major airlines, updated with the latest pricing. Since we last checked, some carriers have slashed costs by more than 70% while others have nearly doubled their prices. Find out who below. 

Prices vary widely depending on airline, flight length, demand and seat position, starting from as little as £5 with Qantas and climbing to around £198 on Emirates’ longest routes. The best deals can usually be found when booking online, especially if you lock in your seat during your initial ticket purchase.

At-a-Glance: Extra Legroom Seat Prices by Airline

For a quick comparison, we’ve created a quick summary of extra legroom seat price ranges for popular airlines. The table also links to each carrier’s official seat information page for more details on their extra legroom offering, and reveals how their prices have changed since we last checked: 

	old data (one way) economy			2025 data (one way) economy
Airline	From	To	Average	From	To	Average	% increase
Qantas	£19	£130	£75	£5	£40	£22	-70%
easyJet	£8	£30	£19	£8	£13	£10	-45%
Air Canada	£15	£150	£83	£11	£108	£59	-28%
Jet2	£15	£30	£23	£8	£25	£16	-27%
Air Seychelles	£26	£55	£41	£27	£38	£32	-20%
Emirates	£24	£209	£117	£23	£198	£111	-5%
Cathay Pacific	£37	£170	£104	£36	£162	£99	-4%
TUI Airways	£25	–	£25	£25	–	£25	0.00%
American Airlines	£15	£130	£73	£15	£130	£73	0.01%
Lufthansa	£22	£90	£56	£46	£74	£60	7%
Ryanair	£11	£33	£22	£12	£37	£24	10%
Singapore Airlines	£18	£85	£52	£23	£99	£61	19%
Air New Zealand	£10	£85	£48	£4	£115	£59	25%
Air France	£10	£63	£37	£9	£88	£48	33%
Aer Lingus	£16	£80	£48	£19	£110	£64	34%
KLM	£20	£100	£60	£5	£159	£82	37%
Virgin Atlantic	£40	–	£40	£55	–	£55	38%
SAS	£5	£48	£27	£16	£67	£41	56%
British Airways	£20	£50	£35	£15	£120	£68	93%

Note: Price ranges are per passenger, for one-way flights, and are approximate. Actual fees can vary based on specific routes, demand, and booking timing. Many airlines charge higher fees for long-haul or prime exit-row seats, and some offer discounts for certain frequent flyers or at online check-in.

Below, we’ll look at each airline in more detail, including what their extra legroom seats are called, any perks that come with them, and booking tips. If you’re looking for cheap extra legroom flights, it pays to compare these options and book early, since prices can rise and seat availability is limited.

Airlines with price increases 

Aer Lingus

Where to find extra space: On Aer Lingus, extra legroom seats are located in the exit rows of the aircraft, perfect for stretching out your legs. These seats are available on both short-haul and long-haul flights.

• What to book: When booking with Aer Lingus, look for exit row seats as an add-on. You must be an adult (over 14, with no mobility restrictions) to sit in an exit row.
• Price: Increased by 34% from £16 to £19 on short-haul flights (e.g. UK to Ireland/Europe) and from £80 to £110 on long-haul routes (e.g. transatlantic flights). These are typical fees per flight, per person.
• How to book: It’s best to select these seats during the initial booking on the Aer Lingus website or via Manage Booking later. Aer Lingus often offers a seat map during booking where exit rows are marked for an extra fee.

Air France

Where to find extra space: In Air France Economy, extra legroom seats are branded as “Seat Plus”. These are typically located at bulkheads or exit rows, offering more legroom (at least 4 inches more pitch than standard seats).

• What to book: Select the “Seat Plus” option when choosing seats. This will guarantee you an extra-legroom seat for your flight.
• Price: Increased by 33%. Air France’s Seat Plus fees depend on flight length, but have increased from the average of £37 to £48. For example, a Seat Plus on a short Paris-London hop might be around £9, whereas Paris-New York could be around £50.
• How to book: You can reserve a Seat Plus during your flight booking on the Air France website, or later via Manage My Booking. Look for the Seat Options section. (Air France often runs promotions of up to 50% off seat fees if you purchase early.) Seat Plus is free for some elite frequent fliers and passengers on full-fare tickets. More details are available on the Air France seat options page.

Air New Zealand

Where to find extra space: Air New Zealand offers extra legroom by way of Exit Row seats in Economy. On certain long-haul aircraft, these may also be in a dedicated extra space zone.

• What to book: Look for “Exit Row Seat” during seat selection. These provide significantly more space to stretch out, especially useful on long flights to/from New Zealand.
• Price: Increased by almost a quarter (25%) from an average of £48 to £59. The exact fee depends on route length and demand.
• How to book: During online booking, you can pay for an exit row seat if available. Alternatively, use Air New Zealand’s manage booking tool to select an Exit Row seat after ticket purchase (fees apply). Check the Air New Zealand UK website for seat selection options and any current pricing.

American Airlines

Where to find extra space: American Airlines offers Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats in economy. These are in select rows (often front of economy and exit rows) and come with more legroom and a few bonus perks.

• What to book: Look for “Main Cabin Extra” seating when selecting your seats. MCE seats have a small logo or are labelled on AA’s seat maps. They include extra legroom (typically 3-6 inches more pitch than standard coach).
• Price: Increased by a miniscule 0.01%. Prices start around £15-£20 on short domestic US flights, and can go up to £100+ on long-haul international flights or prime exit row spots. For example, a short flight from New York to Boston might charge $20 (£16) for MCE, whereas a long flight from London to Los Angeles might be $150 (~£120) or more for an MCE seat in a bulkhead or exit row.
• Perks: Main Cabin Extra passengers get priority boarding (Group 5 on AA), allowing earlier access to overhead bins, and complimentary alcoholic beverages during the flight in addition to standard economy service. You’ll also be among the first economy passengers to deplane.
• How to book: Add Main Cabin Extra seats during your flight booking on AA.com (you’ll see the prices on the seat map), or later via Manage Trips. AAdvantage elite members (Platinum and above) can select MCE seats for free at booking, and Gold members can select them free at check-in (if still available). More details are on American’s Main Cabin Extra info page.

British Airways

Where to find extra space: British Airways doesn’t have a special name for extra-legroom seats; they are essentially the exit row seats in Economy (World Traveller) or behind bulkheads. These offer a greater pitch than standard seats.

• What to book: During seat selection, pick exit row seats (usually indicated on BA’s seat map and often annotated with extra legroom). Note that safety requirements apply; you must be an able-bodied adult willing to assist in an emergency to occupy these seats.
• Price: Increased by a whopping 93%. BA’s seat reservation fees vary by flight length. Short-haul (e.g. UK to Europe) exit-row seats start around £15-20. Long-haul exit rows are now up to around £120 per seat, each way. 
• How to book: It’s best to pay for seat selection when you book your flight on ba.com. If you skip this, you can still go to Manage My Booking later to purchase an extra legroom seat. BA opens free seat selection for all passengers 24 hours before departure (at check-in), but by that time, exit seats may be taken, so if extra legroom is important, consider paying in advance.

KLM

Where to find extra space: KLM offers two main types of seats with extra space in Economy: Economy Comfort seats (at the front of Economy, with about 4-5 inches extra pitch and extra recline) and Extra Legroom seats (usually at exit rows). Both provide more room than a standard seat.

• What to book: You have two options:
  • “Economy Comfort”, these are not exit rows, but a separate zone at the front of Economy with up to 89cm seat pitch (about 35 inches) and up to 5 inches extra recline. Great for general extra comfort.
  • “Extra Legroom seats”, these are the true exit row seats with even more leg stretch space (though note exit rows may have slightly reduced seat width due to tray tables in armrests).
• Price: Increased by 37%. Short European flights: Economy Comfort can be as low as £5. Long-haul flights: Economy Comfort ranges roughly up to £159. 
• How to book: When booking on KLM’s website, after choosing your flight, you’ll be offered seat selection. At that stage, you can pick Economy Comfort or Extra Legroom seats for the displayed fee. You can also go to My Trip on KLM.com later to upgrade your seat selection. Flying Blue frequent flyer elites (Gold/Platinum) often get Economy Comfort seats for free or at a discount. Check KLM’s seat options page for the latest info.

Lufthansa

Where to find extra space: Lufthansa’s Economy Class extra-legroom offering is simply the “Extra Legroom Seats”, usually exit row seats on both short and long-haul flights. Lufthansa also has “Preferred Zone” seats (near the front of Economy), but those don’t necessarily have extra pitch; the true extra legroom are the exit/bulkhead seats.

• What to book: Select extra legroom seats during seat selection. On Lufthansa’s seat maps, exit rows are indicated and come with a reservation fee. There isn’t a special brand name; they’re just sold as seats with more leg space.
• Price: Rose by 7%. On short-haul European flights, an extra legroom (exit row) seat used to start at about £22-£27, but now costs at least £46. The average has risen from £56 to £74. 
• How to book: You can reserve these seats during the booking process on Lufthansa.com or afterwards via My Bookings. If you wait until check-in (starting 23 hours before departure), any remaining extra legroom seats can be selected for free on a first-come-first-served basis. However, popular routes often see them booked up. Lufthansa’s website Advance Seat Reservation page has an overview of costs and rules (e.g. HON Circle and Senator status customers get these seats free of charge).

Ryanair

Where to find extra space: Ryanair, the European low-cost carrier, offers extra legroom primarily in specific rows: Row 1 (bulkhead), Row 2 (D, E, F), and Rows 16-17 on their 737-800 fleet. These are marketed as “Priority” or “Extra Legroom” seats and come with priority boarding.

• What to book: When booking your seats on Ryanair, select the seats labelled as Extra Legroom / Premium. Row 1 and the exit rows (16 & 17) are the prime spots. These are also part of Ryanair’s “Premium Seat” category, which includes priority boarding.
• Price: Ryanair’s official fee range for Extra Legroom seats has increased by 10%. Jumping from a starting price of £11 to £12 and a top price of £33 to £37 per flight. The price is dynamic depending on route length and demand. Short hops might be around £11-£15, whereas longer flights (e.g. UK to Canary Islands) or peak times could be £25-£30+. For example, an extra legroom seat from London to Malaga could cost ~£15, while a London to Tenerife might be ~£30.
• Perks: In addition to more legroom, priority boarding is included with these seats (you’ll typically board in the first group, which Ryanair calls “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” if you purchased that option or as part of the premium seat bundle). You also get to bring a larger cabin bag if you purchased the seat as part of Priority. Essentially, extra legroom seats on Ryanair double as Priority seats.
• How to book: Reserve during the booking process on Ryanair’s website or app. If you skip seat selection, you can still go back into Manage Booking and buy an extra legroom seat later. Ryanair allows adding or changing seats up to 2 hours before the flight via the app, subject to availability. If you decide not to pay, Ryanair will assign you a random seat at check-in for free (but these will rarely be the extra legroom ones, as those usually get sold). More info on fees is listed on Ryanair’s fees page.

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)

Where to find extra space: SAS offers extra legroom by selling the Exit Row seats in economy for a fee. These seats have significantly more legroom than standard seats, especially on their short-haul aircraft.

• What to book: Select exit row seats when booking or via SAS’s My Bookings. SAS typically has exit rows over the wings (e.g., row 12 on a 737) and sometimes the very front row, depending on the aircraft layout. These are the seats with extra legroom.
• Price: Prices have increased by 56%. For short-haul flights around Europe, exit row seat fees range started at roughly £5 but now cost £15, with the top range flights jumping from £48 to £67.
• How to book: During your booking on flysas.com, you can choose seats and pay the extra fee for an exit row. Alternatively, use the SAS App or Manage Booking to select an “Extra legroom seat” later on. Note that if you have a SAS Plus (premium economy) ticket on a long haul, you may already have more legroom in that cabin, but for SAS Go (economy), these exit rows are the way to upgrade comfort. Euro Bonus Gold and Diamond members may get seat selection for free, including exit rows, if available. See SAS’s seat reservation info for more details.

Singapore Airlines

Where to find extra space: Singapore Airlines offers Extra Legroom Seats in Economy, which are part of their “Preferred Seat” selection. These are typically the exit row seats on all aircraft (and a few bulkhead seats on some planes). They provide generous legroom and a slightly wider seat pitch.

• What to book: During seat selection, choose “Extra Legroom Seats” (sometimes just labelled as Preferred Seats with a diamond icon on SIA’s seat map). These are mostly at emergency exits. You can select them in advance for a fee on any economy fare.
• Price: SIA groups its routes into bands, but overall prices have increased by 19%. After a previous 2024 increase, Extra Legroom seat fees were roughly: £20 for short-haul (e.g. Southeast Asia regional flights), around £35-£50 for medium-haul (Asia to Australia, etc.), and about £65-£100 for long-haul flights (Europe/US to Singapore). The average used to be £52, but are now clocking in at £61. 
• How to book: You can add these seats via Manage Booking on singaporeair.com after purchasing your ticket, or directly during the initial booking flow (after selecting flights, the seat map will show extra legroom options for a fee). KrisFlyer Elite Gold and PPS Club members do not get these for free (all non-Elite Silver and below have to pay), although PPS Club members get regular seat selection free. If you don’t want to pay, you might snag an extra legroom seat for free at online check-in (48 hours before) if any are left, but on SIA, they are very often paid for in advance. More details can be found on Singapore Airlines’ Advance Seat Selection page.

Airlines with price decreases 

Air Canada

Where to find extra space: Air Canada’s Economy cabin offers Preferred Seats, which include extra legroom (up to 4 inches more pitch than standard) and are usually towards the front of economy or in exit rows.

• What to book: Choose “Preferred Seats” during booking. These extra legroom seats not only give you more space, but you’ll also generally board earlier and disembark faster, since they’re near the front.
• Price: Dropped by 28% from an average of £83 to £59 per one-way flight, depending on the route and flight duration. For example, short domestic flights might be on the lower end (~£15-£30), whereas long-haul international flights can approach £100+ for a Preferred Seat. (Air Canada quotes a range of $20–$199 CAD/USD for these seats.)
• How to book: It’s easiest to add a Preferred Seat when booking your flight on the Air Canada site. You can also go to Air Canada’s seat selection page or use Manage Booking to select or upgrade to an extra legroom seat later. Aeroplan elite status members and certain fare types may get Preferred Seats free or at a discount.

Air Seychelles

Where to find extra space: On Air Seychelles, extra legroom seats are simply the designated “Extra Legroom” options in Economy, usually located in exit rows of their aircraft (typically A320/A321 for regional flights).

• What to book: Choose the extra legroom seats option during booking or seat selection. These seats are highlighted in the seat map (usually exit row seats over the wing or at the front of Economy).
• Price: Dropped by 20%, from a top price of £55 down to £38, per seat, per flight. The cost depends on the route (e.g. a shorter flight to nearby islands vs. a longer flight). Air Seychelles has a relatively small network, and these fees can fluctuate, but £26–£55 is the typical range.
• How to book: You can reserve extra legroom while booking on the Air Seychelles website or later via their Manage Booking portal. It’s recommended to book early, as there are limited extra-legroom spots. More info can be found on the Air Seychelles seat selection page.

Cathay Pacific

Where to find extra space: Cathay Pacific offers Extra Legroom seats in Economy Class on both regional and long-haul flights. These are usually the exit row seats (and a few bulkhead rows) designated for purchase.

• What to book: Select an “Extra Legroom seat” during the seat selection stage. Cathay will clearly mark these seats on the seat map with an icon.
• Price: Dropped by 4%. For short-haul routes (within Asia), extra legroom seats cost around £36. For long-haul flights, the fee is higher, up to £162. 
• How to book: You can reserve and pay for these seats on Cathay’s website via Manage Booking or during your initial booking. If you forget, Cathay Pacific also allows purchase of extra legroom seats at airport check-in or boarding if any are still free. Marco Polo Club elite members may be able to select these seats at a discount or for free (Diamond/Gold get them free). For more info, check Cathay’s seat selection help page.

easyJet

Where to find extra space: easyJet has a few seating options, and Extra Legroom seats are among the most coveted. These are mainly the front row seats and exit row seats on their aircraft. They not only give you more legroom but also come with additional benefits on easyJet.

• What to book: Choose “Extra Legroom” seats when selecting your seats (easyJet will usually label these on the seat map). These include the first row and the rows at the over-wing exits.
• Price: Dropped by 45%. easyJet’s extra legroom seat fees vary by flight length and demand. Generally, they now range from about £8 to £13, down from their previous range of £8 to £30. 
• Perks: Booking an Extra Legroom seat on easyJet automatically gives you Speedy Boarding (priority boarding group so you can board first) and an additional small cabin bag allowance (you can bring a second small under-seat bag, on top of the standard cabin bag). You’ll also often be among the first off the plane since front row and exit rows deplane sooner.
• How to book: During the online booking process on easyJet.com, you’ll be prompted to select seats. Simply pick the ones marked Extra Legroom. You can also add or change to extra legroom seats later via the Manage Bookings section (for a fee). easyJet Plus cardholders get these seats for free or at a discount, subject to availability. More details are available on easyJet’s seat assignment page.

Emirates

Where to find extra space: Emirates’ Economy Class offers Extra Legroom seats, which are primarily the exit row seats on their Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft. These seats provide significantly more space to stretch your legs, but come with eligibility requirements for safety.

• What to book: Select “Extra Legroom” seats during seat selection. On Emirates’ seat map, exit row seats are sold as Extra Legroom (often highlighted in a different colour). Important: You must meet Emirates’ safety requirements for exit rows, for example, you need to be 18 or older, not require a seatbelt extender, not be pregnant or mobility-impaired, and be willing to assist in an emergency. Emirates will re-seat you without a refund if you don’t meet these criteria at check-in.
• Price: Dropped by 5%. Emirates charges are based on distance. On shorter routes (e.g. Dubai to the Middle East/India), an extra legroom seat might cost around £23. For long-haul flights (e.g. Dubai to the UK, US, or Australia), prices can rise to around £198. 
• How to book: It’s best to select these seats when booking your flight on Emirates.com (you’ll see the prices listed on the seat selection step). You can also use Manage Your Booking on the Emirates site to add an extra legroom seat later. If you wait until airport check-in, you can request an exit row (sometimes Emirates will offer any unsold ones at that point, often at the same fee). For full details and current fees, visit the Emirates seat selection page.

Jet2

Where to find extra space: Jet2 (a UK leisure airline) offers Extra Legroom seats on their flights, typically located at the exit rows over the wings or sometimes the very front row of the cabin.

• What to book: During booking or via Manage Booking, choose “Extra Legroom” seats. Jet2 marks these on the seat map (exit rows on their Boeing 737-800s and 757s, for example).
• Price: Dropped by 27%. Jet2’s extra legroom fees depend on route length. Generally, expect around £8 on shorter European flights, and up to £25 on longer routes (e.g. Canary Islands or Turkey). 
• How to book: You can pre-book these seats when purchasing your flight or holiday package on Jet2.com. All Jet2 passengers get an assigned seat for free at check-in, but if you want to choose an extra legroom spot, you’ll need to pay. Use the Manage My Booking feature to select seats if you didn’t during checkout. Jet2Holidays packages sometimes include free seat selection (depending on the package tier), so check your holiday details. For more info, see Jet2’s seat selection guide.

Qantas

Where to find extra space: Qantas provides Extra Legroom seats in Economy, which are usually exit row seats on their aircraft. These can be on domestic flights (e.g. exit rows on a Boeing 737) or international flights (exit/bulkhead rows on larger aircraft).

• What to book: Choose “Extra Legroom” seats during seat selection. On Qantas’s seat map, these will be highlighted (often annotated with a little extra legroom icon or note). Ensure you meet the standard exit row requirements (15+ years old on Qantas, able-bodied, etc.).
• Price: Qantas saw the biggest drop, with the cost for legroom coming in 70% cheaper. The cost depends on the flight distance. Extra leg room seats used to start at £19, but now you can enjoy extra legroom from £5. The top end for leg room used to be £130 but has plummeted to only £40. 
• How to book: You can add extra legroom seats when booking your flight at Qantas.com under seat selection, or later via Manage Booking. Qantas Frequent Flyer elite members (Gold and above) often have complimentary access or discounts for these seats. Qantas also allows the use of points to secure extra legroom seats. For full details or to book, see Qantas’s Extra Legroom Seats info.

TUI Airways (formerly Thomson)

Where to find extra space: TUI Airways (UK holiday airline) offers two categories: Seats with Extra Legroom and Seats with Extra Space. Extra Legroom seats are standard seats that have a couple more inches of pitch (often in certain rows), while Extra Space seats are often at bulkheads or exit rows that have a lot of open space in front (and sometimes also extra legroom). Here we focus on the Extra Legroom seats.

• What to book: Choose “Seats with extra legroom” during the holiday booking process or add on later via TUI’s Manage My Booking. TUI’s extra legroom seats are usually in exit rows or a few specific rows on long-haul planes that have a bigger seat pitch. They give about two extra inches of seat pitch compared to standard economy seats. (For even more room, TUI’s “Extra Space” seats by exits/bulkheads can be considered, but those are a separate option.)
• Price: TUI prices have stayed the exact same. They advertise extra legroom seat upgrades from £25 per person (one-way). The exact price varies by flight length and destination. Shorter flights to Europe might be around £25-£30 each way for extra legroom. Longer flights (to say Mexico or the Caribbean) could be more, roughly in the £40-£50 range per seat, each way. (Prices can fluctuate with promotions and seasons.)
• Perks: Upgrading to Extra Legroom (or Extra Space) with TUI also grants earlier online check-in; you can check in 14 days before departure (versus 48 hours normally). This is a nice perk as it gives peace of mind and earlier boarding pass issuance. Additionally, you get to choose your specific seats on the plane when you purchase this upgrade (via an interactive seat map).
• How to book: If you’re booking a package on the TUI website, under “Travel Options”, you can add on extra legroom seats for your flights. If you’ve already booked, use the TUI Manage Booking portal or call TUI to add the seat upgrade. Keep in mind that on TUI’s partner or codeshare flights (or if your flight is operated by another airline like easyJet), the rules might differ (often minimum age 16 for exit seats). You can find more details on TUI’s site under “Seats with extra legroom” in the Travel Options section.

Virgin Atlantic

Where to find extra space: Virgin Atlantic offers Extra Legroom seats in Economy on its long-haul flights. These seats are mainly a few rows of economy configured with extra pitch (up to 34 inches, versus the standard 31 inches). They are often located just behind the Premium Economy cabin or in exit/bulkhead rows, depending on the aircraft.

• What to book: During seat selection on Virgin Atlantic, choose the seats labelled “Extra Legroom”. Virgin typically has about 36 extra legroom seats on each wide-body aircraft. Note: Virgin also has an “Economy Delight” fare, which includes an extra legroom seat plus other perks. If you booked Economy Classic or Light, you can still pay to select an extra legroom seat à la carte.
• Price: Increased by 36%. From approximately £40 each way on Virgin’s routes prices now start at £55 minimum.
• How to book: It’s best to secure these seats during or immediately after booking on Virgin Atlantic’s website. Use the “My Booking” (Manage) section with your reservation code to pick seats if you didn’t initially. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members may be able to select extra legroom seats free of charge, subject to availability. If you haven’t pre-booked and decide later, you can also ask at airport check-in if any extra legroom seats are available for purchase (sometimes they may offer them at that point if unsold). Virgin allows changes up to 24 hours before departure for seat purchases.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Disclaimer

All prices listed are approximate ranges in GBP based on publicly available information as of 2025. Airlines regularly update fees and policies, and costs can vary by route, aircraft type, and season. Please always check with the official airline website (linked above) for the latest and most accurate pricing before booking.

All currency conversions are true as of 07/11/2025 10:37 AM. We used the “At the time of booking” price for Ryanair. We used both long and short-haul prices for ranges.