Economy class on an airplane generally has the largest number of seats at the lowest prices. Compared with business and first class, the seat space is smaller, with leg and arm room compromised in exchange for a greater number of seats. Economy class varies greatly depending on the airline. Some carriers will offer complimentary meals and alcohol along with in-flight entertainment, whereas with others you will get the flight and little else included in the price.
Legroom on an airplane is known as "seat pitch." This is the distance between each seat and actually differs in the same class depending on where on the plane you are seated. The average seat pitch on both Boeing and Airbus planes in economy class in 2010 was somewhere between 31 and 34 inches. Seats on most national carriers recline up to 122 degrees.
On short-haul, low-cost airlines there is often no in-flight entertainment. On larger carriers, there will be some form of in-flight entertainment, from overhead TV screens showing a movie or two to individual screens for each seat where you can choose from a range of movies, music and in-flight games. In addition, passengers on airlines usually will find magazines, a safety procedure card and a vomit bag in the pouch behind the seat directly in front of them.
Economy-class tickets cost less than other classes. On low-cost airlines passengers are likely to find they have to buy food onboard. On many other carriers, food might be provided on international flights. Some airlines give provide a choice of meals in addition to alcoholic drinks in economy class.
A number of carriers offer a premier economy class which is somewhere in between economy and business class. Passengers who choose seats in this class normally benefit from 2 inches of extra seat width, up to 38 inches of seat pitch and an extra 2 to 3 inches of reclining. Headrests in this class are often adjustable, and seats come with leg rests or lumbar support. Food is usually better, and passengers might find that they have larger personal TV screens.
Economy class has become linked with a condition called deep vein thrombosis, or "economy class syndrome." This happened after a number of people developed the condition after long-haul flights. The condition which sees blood clots forming in the legs is more common in people who have a history of cardiovascular disease, but can affect healthy people as well. It was named for the cramped conditions in economy, but has also affected people in business and first class. Factors such as dehydration, low cabin pressure and humidity are also believed to be factors that contribute to the condition. DVT can be life threatening if the blood clot breaks off and travels through the body obstructing the lungs.
