Airlines typically offer passengers a variety of travel classes to choose from. On short domestic flights, many airlines offer a two-cabin seating configuration, featuring a Business Class and an Economy Class. On longer transcontinental or international flights, airlines typically offer a three-cabin seating configuration. The three different seating cabins include Economy Class, Business Class and First Class. Higher seating classes, like Business Class and First Class, are usually more expensive and provide travelers with more space and comfort.

Economy Class

Economy Class offers basic airline accommodation. It is the cheapest of the classes and usually takes up most of the seats on a plane. The Economy Class seat plan on a typical Boeing 747-400 is comprised of rows with three adjacent seats on the left-hand side of the plane, four adjacent seats in the middle of the plane and three more adjacent seats on the right-hand side of the plane. Seats in this class are usually 17 to 18 inches wide with a pitch (legroom) of 31 to 32 inches.

Premium Economy Class

Some airlines offer a Premium Economy Class. This travel class is more expensive than the regular Economy Class and offers a slightly higher quality of accommodation. When compared to the standard Economy Class, Premium Economy Class seats are generally wider and have 6 inches more legroom. This class also provides larger personal televisions, better snack/drink service and fully adjustable seats.

Business Class

In Business Class, seats have an average width of 21 inches and a pitch of 57 inches. Compared to Economy Class, there is nearly twice as much legroom and 3 to 4 inches of extra seat width. The Business Class seat plan on a typical Boeing 747-400 is comprised of rows with two adjacent seats on the left-hand side of the plane, three adjacent seats in the middle of the plane and two more adjacent seats on the right-hand side of the plane. Business Class travelers can expect to be accommodated with high-quality in-flight food and entertainment services.

First Class

The First Class seating section is designed to be the most comfortable. This small cabin is usually upstairs or in the very front of an aircraft. First Class seats are 1 to 2 inches wider than Business Class seats and have 10 to 30 inches more pitch. First Class travelers can expect the best in-flight service because of a higher flight attendant to passenger ratio. Superior foods, in addition to wine and cocktails, are also served in First Class.

About the Author

Kevin Belhumeur began writing and editing in 2008. He has written sports-related articles for the "Newport Beach Daily Pilot" and has copy-edited for the "UCLA Daily Bruin." Belhumeur holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California-Los Angeles.

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