If you think economy class always means squeezing into a cramped seat for hours, some airlines are proving otherwise.
Japan Airlines has been named the airline with the best economy class seats in the world according to the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The Japanese carrier took the top spot, followed by Cathay Pacific Airways and Korean Air.
The annual Skytrax awards are widely regarded as one of the most important honors in the aviation industry. The rankings are based on feedback from passengers around the world, with travelers from more than 100 countries taking part in the survey.
For the economy seat category, passengers assessed factors such as seat comfort, space, design and the overall experience during a flight.
Japan Airlines Takes the Top Spot
Japan Airlines earned first place largely thanks to its JAL Sky Wider economy seats.
As the name suggests, the seats are designed to give passengers more personal space. The seat design features a slimmer seatback and a wider seat pitch, helping create additional room for passengers, particularly around the legs.
The space between the armrests is around 45 to 48 centimeters, according to Japan Airlines. The airline says this gives passengers more room than many standard economy seats.
For long-haul travelers, those few extra centimeters can make a noticeable difference.
On selected Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, passengers can also find practical features such as bottle holders and AC power outlets at every seat.
The entertainment system adds another layer of comfort. Passengers can enjoy their own personal screens, with displays measuring around 13 inches and offering 4K resolution.
So while it is still economy class, the experience is designed to feel a little less restrictive.
Food Is Also Part of the Experience
Japan Airlines isn’t relying on its seats alone to impress passengers.
The airline also ranked among the top five economy class airlines overall in the 2025 Skytrax awards.
Its in-flight dining program features menus created with the help of six finalists from RED U-35, a Japanese culinary competition that highlights talented young chefs.
The idea is simple: make the economy experience more enjoyable by combining a comfortable seat with better food and entertainment.
For passengers facing a long international flight, those details can matter just as much as legroom.
Cathay Pacific Comes in Second
Cathay Pacific Airways took second place in the ranking for the world’s best economy class seats.
The Hong Kong-based airline has been making changes to its cabin layouts in an effort to give passengers more space.
One example can be found on its Airbus A321neo aircraft, where the airline has reduced the number of seats in some configurations to create more room for passengers.
The changes are being introduced gradually as Cathay Pacific continues to refresh its cabins.
The airline’s broader economy class offering has also received strong recognition from Skytrax. Cathay Pacific was named the world’s best economy class airline in both 2024 and 2025.
That consistency appears to be one of the reasons passengers continue to rate the airline highly.
What Makes an Economy Seat Stand Out?
Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, has pointed to consistency in service quality as one of the factors passengers consider when evaluating airlines.
That is particularly important in economy class, where small differences can have a big impact on the passenger experience.
Extra legroom, a comfortable seat, convenient power outlets and a good entertainment system may not sound revolutionary individually. But when all of them come together, they can make a long flight considerably more pleasant.
For travelers who spend hours in the air, choosing an airline with a well-designed economy cabin can therefore be worth considering—even when premium cabins are outside the budget.
Top 10 Airlines With the Best Economy Class Seats in the World
According to the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025, here are the 10 airlines ranked highest for economy class seat quality:
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Korean Air
- Singapore Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- ANA (All Nippon Airways)
- Emirates
- STARLUX Airlines
- China Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
With Japan Airlines taking the number one spot, the ranking shows that a comfortable economy experience doesn’t necessarily require a business-class ticket.
For frequent flyers, the list could also be a useful reference when choosing an airline for the next long-haul journey.
