Air Premia chooses to give economy passengers more legroom
March 17, 2026
South Korean “hybrid” long-haul carrier Air Premia has begun removing seats from its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to give its long-haul economy passengers more legroom, going against the industry trend of packing more seats into cabins.
On one newly reconfigured aircraft, registration HL8701, the airline has reduced total capacity from 344 seats to 326 while increasing economy seat pitch from 31” to 33”. The newly reconfigured aircraft entered service on March 16.
Air Premia offers more room in economy—at a cost to capacity
For travellers, two extra inches of legroom can improve comfort on long-haul flights, particularly on overnight services where space is at a premium.
For airlines, however, fewer seats reduce the revenue potential per flight, which makes Air Premia’s decision to offer more legroom a notable strategy. Rather than maximising capacity, the airline is betting that a more comfortable cabin will attract passengers willing to choose space over price alone. The decision to remove seats and increase the seat pitch on long-haul flights is consistent with the airline’s hybrid model, offering more in-flight comfort than low-cost carriers at lower fares than traditional airlines.
“Air Premia is committed to continuously improving seat space and the cabin environment so that passengers traveling on long-haul routes can enjoy a more comfortable journey,” an Air Premia official said in the airline’s announcement. “We will continue to introduce various service enhancements to further elevate the customer experience.”
As part of the new programme, Air Premia has also refreshed its cabin interiors, installing new carpets designed to align with its branding. These carpets are lighter, reducing aircraft weight and fuel burn, to support sustainability.
Setting a minimum 33” pitch as economy class standard
Air Premia reconfigured two aircraft in 2024, reducing seat counts from 338 to 320 and increasing seat pitch. According to the carrier, most of its Boeing 787-9 aircraft already meet that standard, with only a small number of higher-density layouts still to be updated.
The Air Premia fleet consists of nine Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
- Three have 309 seat capacity
- Two have 320 seat capacity
- Two have 326 seat capacity
- Two have 344 seat capacity
All Air Premia aircraft except the 344-seat configuration currently offer an economy class seat pitch of 33” or more. The airline now plans to offer a minimum of 33” legroom across its entire fleet by the end of 2026.
Air Premia’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners have two classes of service onboard: premium economy and economy class. Premium economy offers a recliner seat with legrests, larger in-flight entertainment screens, and at least 42” of legroom.
Going against the industry trend for crowded seating
Across much of the airline industry, the trend has been to add seating capacity, increasing seat density in economy cabins to improve margins. That has often meant tighter seat pitch and less personal space for passengers. Many airlines have installed slimline seats to make the most of the limited space available, but taller passengers in particular can notice a difference.
Air Premia’s approach is a rare example of an airline choosing to sacrifice seat numbers in favour of passenger comfort. This decision is likely to improve its passenger experience, especially on long-haul routes where small improvements can have a big impact. The airline is betting that, for many travellers, a little extra legroom will make a big difference when deciding to book a flight.
Featured Image: Air Premia
