I often took LCC flights because my travel distances weren't long. Among them, I remember flying Air Busan and Air Seoul a few times, and the seat pitch was quite good. I'm about 178cm tall, so not extremely tall. But compared to other LCCs, Air Busan and Air Seoul definitely felt more spacious.
I can't stand not knowing things. Why is it so different for the same LCC? I looked into it while researching flights for my trip to Japan in August. I only felt it anecdotally, but there really is a difference. It varies by airline, and even within the same airline, it differs by aircraft model. If you fly LCCs often, you've probably had similar experiences, so take this opportunity to remember it clearly!
First, what is "pitch"?
I didn't know at first, but the front-to-back distance between seats is called "pitch."It's measured in inches. Since 1 inch is 2.54cm, the difference between 28 inches and 32 inches is about 10cm. That's a huge difference in knee room.
So, when comparing flights, a useful tip is to look at the pitch in inches, rather than a vague impression like "this airline's seats are cramped." If the price is the same, it's better to choose a seat that's even 1-2 inches wider.
Comparison of Korean Airline Pitch (as of 2026)
Here's a summary of the data I found.
Korean Air / Asiana Airlines: 31-34 inches
As major airlines, they tend to be spacious. The price is higher, but the seats are the widest.
Air Busan / Air Seoul (A320 / A321 aircraft models): 29-32 inches
This is the widest group among LCCs. My positive experience wasn't a coincidence. I've seen online reviews where people say they'd "pay a little more to fly Air Busan or Air Seoul." While their routes aren't extensive yet, I highly recommend Air Busan.
Jeju Air / Jin Air / T'way (B737-800 aircraft model): 29-31 inches
These are the most common LCC seats. The upper limit is 31 inches, which is 1 inch less than Air Busan/Air Seoul. Taller individuals can feel this 1-inch difference.
Eastar Jet (B737-900ER, limited to 2 aircraft): 28-30 inches
This is the narrowest range. 28 inches is truly a level where your knees might touch. However, this only applies to some of Eastar Jet's aircraft; other models are fairly standard.
It's not that all LCCs are the same; there's a maximum difference of 4 inches (about 10cm) between Air Busan/Air Seoul and Eastar Jet (certain aircraft models).This was truly surprising.
Surprising Fact: Even Within the Same Airline, It Varies by Aircraft Model
This part is truly important. Seats are not all the same even within the same airline.
Jin Air is a prime example. Jin Air's B737-800 has a normal width,but Jin Air's B777 has a 3-4-3 configuration,making the seat width narrower. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines' B777s have a 3-3-3 configuration, so their seats are wider. Even with the same aircraft model, the width changes depending on the seat arrangement.
The same applies to T'way; their recently introduced A330 aircraft are wider and more comfortable than the B737.So, even with the same T'way, the experience feels completely different depending on which aircraft you fly. I've seen online reviews saying, "T'way's Sapporo route uses the A330, so the seats are wider."
Therefore, when buying a flight ticket, don't just look at the airline name; check which aircraft model they operate.The aircraft model, like "B737-800," is usually indicated in small print on the booking screen.
To travel comfortably, I also focus on three things: price, flight, and aircraft model.
How to Get a More Comfortable Seat for the Same Price
I've summarized what I've learned into 4 key points for easy viewing. Just keep these 4 things in mind when flying LCCs.
1. Check the aircraft model first. It's written in small print on the booking screen. The aircraft model is often more important than the airline.
2. For short-haul flights like Japan or Southeast Asia, prioritize Air Busan/Air Seoul. Even if the price is slightly higher, the seat difference often makes up for it. They are the widest group among LCCs.
3. For medium to long-haul flights, look for wide-body aircraft. Like T'way's A330 or Jin Air's B777. However, Jin Air's B777 has narrower seat width, so it's better to compare based on pitch.
4. Exit row seats are worth the extra cost. Even on LCCs, exit row seats have extra legroom in front. It costs an additional 5,000-10,000 won, but for flights longer than 3 hours, it's worth it.
I wrote an article before about the timing of airplane seat selection, which goes well with this one. Early seat selection + checking aircraft model = the most comfortable flight This is the combination that creates it.
I'll make sure to do both for my trip to Japan in August. I'll check the aircraft model when buying the ticket and select my seat quickly.
Conclusion
To summarize, even within the same LCC, there's a difference of up to 4 inches (about 10cm) between airlines, and even within the same airline, it varies by aircraft model.
The reason I felt the seats on Air Busan and Air Seoul were good wasn't a coincidence; they were actually among the widest group of LCCs. This is why there are so many online posts saying "Air Busan and Air Seoul are the best among LCCs."
Next time you fly an LCC, don't just book based on price; check the aircraft model. You can have a more comfortable flight for the same cost!