Airlines Where Extra Legroom Economy Is The Smarter Buy Than Premium Economy In 2026

In 2026, some flyers may get more value paying for extra-legroom economy instead of premium economy as prices rise in certain markets. The analysis argues that premium economy has become popular but often comes with small cabin footprints and strong demand, pushing fares up. Airlines have responded by offering designated extra-legroom sections within economy, typically for a smaller surcharge than premium. JetBlue is highlighted first: on its Airbus A320, standard economy has 34 inches of seat pitch, while the extra-legroom section had 37 inches. On newer transatlantic Airbus A321LR flights, JetBlue’s EvenMore has a 35-inch pitch and wider 18-inch seats, and the airline does not offer premium economy as a product to compare directly.