Air Premia Adds Extra Legroom to Economy Seats
The Korean carrier is reconfiguring its Boeing 787-9 fleet to offer at least 33 inches of Economy seat pitch.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Air Travel
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Air Premia has retrofitted an aircraft previously configured with a 31-inch seat pitch to a 33-inch pitch, and eight of its nine Boeing 787-9 aircraft now offer at least that much Economy legroom. The carrier says the seating changes align with scheduled overseas maintenance and operational timelines.
Why it matters
The move reflects Air Premia's emphasis on personal space on long-haul flights, a selling point for travelers crossing the Pacific between the United States and Asia. The carrier routes U.S.-Asia passengers through its Incheon hub.
Air Premia reports that eight of its nine Boeing 787-9 aircraft now offer at least 33 inches of Economy seat pitch, compared with 31 inches on the retrofitted plane before the change. Premium Economy seats offer 42 to 46 inches, and the source does not state how many seats are affected.
The players
Air Premia
A South Korean long-haul carrier that operates Boeing 787-9 aircraft and routes U.S.-Asia passengers through its Incheon hub.
The details
Air Premia currently serves five U.S. destinations, including Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Honolulu and Washington, D.C., along with Bangkok, Tokyo Narita and Hong Kong in Asia. The carrier plans to reconfigure its remaining aircraft during the first half of 2027.
Timeline
December 2026: Phased launch of services to Ho Chi Minh City, Sapporo and Ningbo begins.
First half of 2027: Remaining aircraft are reconfigured to a 33-inch Economy seat pitch.
Travel Outlook
Air Premia's move runs against the long-running trend of carriers tightening Economy seat pitch on long-haul widebody jets to add seats. Its 33-inch standard sits above that squeezed baseline while Premium Economy remains at 42 to 46 inches.
Travelers booking Air Premia's Boeing 787-9 flights should check the specific aircraft before booking, since eight of nine jets offer 33-inch Economy pitch while one has not yet been reconfigured. Passengers seeking more room can compare the Premium Economy seats at 42 to 46 inches.
The takeaway
Checking the specific aircraft and seat map before booking can matter as much as choosing the airline. Pitch varies within a single carrier's fleet, so the seat you get depends on the plane.
What happens next
Air Premia will begin phased services to Ho Chi Minh City, Sapporo and Ningbo in December 2026, and will reconfigure its remaining aircraft during the first half of 2027.
Further reading
For more on how airlines configure cabins and what that means for passengers, see Air Travel.
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