How we score comfort
Every seat gets a comfort score from 0 to 10, built from things you can measure. A journey's score is the flight-time-weighted average of its flights, minus 0.4 per change of plane and up to 0.6 for layovers over 3 hours.
Economy
- Legroom – 30%. Seat pitch from 28″ (tight) to 34″ (generous).
- Seat width – 22%. 16.5″ to 19″. A 3-4-3 777 has noticeably narrower seats than a 3-3-3 one.
- No middle seat – 15%. The share of middle seats in the layout: 2-2 and 2-3 beat 3-3-3.
- The cabin – 21%. Wide-body or not, cabin altitude (6,000 ft on the A350/787 vs 8,000 ft) and noise.
- Amenities – 12%. Wi-Fi, power at the seat and a seat-back screen.
Business
- Bed – 35%. A lie-flat bed scores full marks; recliners score by pitch.
- Privacy – 20%. Direct aisle access for every seat, and a door on top.
- Seat width – 12%. 18″ to 22″.
- The cabin – 20%. As for economy.
- Amenities – 13%. Wi-Fi, power, screen.
A business seat that doesn't lie flat is also scored like an economy seat and gets the better of the two – European "business" (an economy seat with the middle kept free) always beats economy on the same plane – but it stays below 7.5, because any real bed beats a seat.
The labels
9.0Superb 8.5 and up · 7.5Very comfortable 7 and up · 6.0Comfortable 5.5 and up · 4.5Okay 4 and up · 3.0Cramped below 4
Best = comfort, price and time
The Best sort weighs comfort 45%, price 35% and travel time 20%, each compared with the best option in your search. Use Most comfortable when you only care about arriving rested.
About the data
SkyBuddy's timetable and fares are generated from a model of each airline's network, fleet and seat products, so they are indicative. Seat dimensions are typical values per airline and aircraft type. Always check the live price and seat map before you book – the Check live price button opens a live fare search.