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Short-haul First and Business Class Explained and Compared

On this page you'll find information about Short-haul First/Business Class plus a sortable chart that can be used to compare First Class seating among different airlines.

What can I expect in Short-haul First/Business Class?

People who have flown or seen International Business class are often disappointed by Short-haul First/Business Class. There are only small improvements over most coach class seats, and many customers are sad to see that there aren't any legrests. These days it is more common to see a frequent flyer upgraded into these seats than a true paying First Class customer. Airlines have started offering these seats to customers that pay for full fare coach tickets as they try to increase their revenue from these seats. Here's what to expect in Short-haul First/Business Class:

  • No Middle Seats
  • 5-7 inches of Extra Legroom
  • 2 Extra inches of Seat Width
  • Food Service & Free Alcoholic Beverages on most flights

Short-haul First/Business Class Comparison Chart

The table below can be sorted by any column. Simply click a column header (i.e. Airline) to re-sort the table. Clicking the header a second time will reverse the sort. Have questions? See the Chart Key.

Airline  Aircraft with seatmap  Seat Pitch  Seat Width  Video Type  Laptop Power  Power Type  Wi-Fi 
Aeroflot Airbus A319 (319) 38.0'' 21.0'' Personal TV None None No
Aeroflot Airbus A320 (320) 38.0'' 21.0'' Personal TV None None No
Aeroflot Airbus A321 (321) 38.0'' 21.0'' Personal TV None None No
Aeromexico Embraer ERJ-190 (EMJ) 36.0" 19.0" None None None No
Aeromexico McDon. Doug. MD-82 (M82) 37.0" 19.3" Shared TV None None No
Aeromexico McDon. Doug. MD-87 (M87) 37.0" 19.3" Shared TV None None No
Air Canada Airbus A319 (319) 38-39.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power Yes
Air Canada Airbus A320 Vers. 1 (320) 37.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Air Canada Airbus A320 Vers. 2 (320) 38.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Air Canada Airbus A321 (321) 37.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Air Canada Canadair CRJ-705 (CRA) 37.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats DC Power No
Air Canada Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) 38.0" 20.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Air Canada Embraer ERJ-190 (E90) 38.0" 20.0" Personal TV All Seats DC Power No
Air China Airbus A319 (319) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Air China Airbus A320 (320) 36.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Air China Airbus A321 (321) 38.0" 21.0" None None None No
Air China Boeing 737-300 (733) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Air China Boeing 737-700 (737) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Air China Boeing 737-800 (738) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Air China Boeing 757-200 (757) 38.0" 21.0" None None None No
Air France Airbus A318 Europe 82.0" 24.0" Personal TV All Seats None No
Air France Airbus A319 Europe 82.0" 24.0" Personal TV All Seats None No
Air France Airbus A320 African and Middle East 34.0" 18.0" Shared TV None None No
Air France Airbus A320 Caribbean Interiors 34.0" 18.0" None None None No
Air France Airbus A320 Europe 34.0" 18.0" Personal TV All Seats None No
Air France Airbus A321 Europe 32.0" 18.0" Shared TV None None No
AirTran Boeing 717-200 (717) 37.0" 22.0" None None None Yes
AirTran Boeing 737-700 (73G) 37.0" 22.0" None None None Yes
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-400 (734) 36-37.0" 21.0" None None None Yes
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-700 (73G) 36-37.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None Yes
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 Vers. 1 (73H) 36-37.0" 21.0" None None None Yes
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 Vers. 2 (738) 36-37.0" 21.0" None None None Yes
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 Vers. 1 (739) 36-38.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None Yes
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 Vers. 2 (739) 36-38.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None Yes
American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Vers. 1 (738) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV All Seats DC Power Yes
American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Vers. 2 (738) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV All Seats AC Power Yes
American Airlines Boeing 757-200 Vers. 1 (757) 39.0 21.0 Shared TV All Seats AC Power No
American Airlines Boeing 757-200 Vers. 2 (757) 58.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
American Airlines Boeing 767-200 (762) 49-50.0" 18.5" Personal TV All Seats DC Power Yes
American Airlines Boeing 767-200 (762) 62.0" 19.0" Personal TV All Seats DC Power Yes
American Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 (CR7) 36.0" 19.0" None None None No
American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Vers. 1 (M80) 39.0" 19.5" None All Seats DC Power Yes
American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Vers. 2 (M80) 39.0" 19.5" None All Seats DC Power Yes
Austrian Airbus A319-100 (319) 33.0" 17.5" Shared TV None None No
Austrian Airbus A320 Premium (320) 45.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Austrian Airbus A320-214 (320) 33.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Austrian Airbus A321-111/211 (321) 32.0" 19.0" Shared TV None None No
Austrian Fokker 100 (100) 31.0" 17.0" None None None No
Austrian Fokker 70 (F70) 32.0" 17.0" None None None No
bmi Airbus A320-200 Vers. 1 (320) 31.0" 18.0" Shared TV None None No
bmi Airbus A320-200 Vers. 2 (320) 34.0" 18.0" Shared TV None None No
bmi Airbus A321-200 Vers. 1 (321) 32.0" 18.0" Shared TV None None No
bmi Boeing 757-200 (757) 50.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
bmi Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4) 31.0" 17.3" None None None No
British Airways BAe 146 Avro RJ100 (AR1) 31.0" 18.0" None None None No
British Airways Boeing 757-200 (757) 36-37.0 18.0" None None None No
China Airlines Boeing 737-800 (738) 37.0" 21.0" None None None No
China Southern Airlines Airbus A319 40-42.0" 28.5" Personal TV None None No
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-500 (735) 37.0" 20.75" None None None No
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-700 (73G) 38.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 Micronesia (738) 38.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 Vers. 2 (738) 38.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 Vers. 3 (738) 38.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-900 (739) 38.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None No
Continental Airlines Boeing 737-900ER (73E) 38.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Continental Airlines Boeing 757-300 (753) 38.0" 20.75" Shared TV None None No
COPA Boeing 737-700 (73G) 38.0" 20.5" Shared TV None None No
COPA Boeing 737-800 (738) 38.0" 20.5" Shared TV None None No
COPA Embraer ERJ-190 (E90) 38.0" 20.0" None None None No
CSA Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR-42 (AT4) 47.0'' 18.0'' Personal TV None None No
Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 (319) 36.0" 21.0" None None None Yes
Delta Air Lines Airbus A320 (320, 32T, 32V) 36.0" 21.0" None None None Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-700 (73W) 38.0" 20.5" Personal TV All Seats AC Power Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800 (73Y/73H) 38.0" 20.5" Shared TV All Seats AC Power Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 (5500 Series) 75N 37.0" 21.0" None None None Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 (5600 Series) - Domestic 37.0" 21.0" None None None Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 Transcontinental (75X) 38.0" 20.75" Personal TV All Seats AC Power Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 Vers. 1 (757) 37-38.0" 20.75" Shared TV None None Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 Vers. 2 (757) 37-38.0" 20.75" Shared TV None None Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-300 (753) 37.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None Yes
Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-300 (76P/76Q) 40.0" 18.5" Personal TV All Seats AC Power Yes
Delta Air Lines Canadair CRJ-900 Vers. 1 (CR9) 35.0" 18.5" None None None No
Delta Air Lines Canadair CRJ-900 Vers. 2 (CR9) 35.0" 18.5" None None None No
Delta Air Lines Canadair CRJ-900 Vers. 3 (CR9) 35.0" 18.5" None None None No
Delta Air Lines Embraer ERJ-170 (E70) 36.0" 19.0" None None None No
Delta Air Lines Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) 36.0" 20.00" None None None No
Delta Air Lines McDon. Doug. DC-9-50 (D95) 34.0" 19.5" None None None Yes
Delta Air Lines McDon. Doug. MD-88 (M88) 37.0" 19.6" None None None Yes
Delta Air Lines McDon. Doug. MD-88 (M88) 37.0" 19.5" None None None Yes
Delta Air Lines McDon. Doug. MD-90 (M90) 37.0" 19.3" Shared TV None None Yes
El Al Boeing 737-800 (738) 45.0" 20.5" Shared TV None None No
El Al Boeing 757-200 (757) 45.0" 20.5" Shared TV None None No
Etihad Airways Airbus A319 (319) 38.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None No
Finnair Airbus A319 Vers. 2 (319) 37.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Gulf Air Airbus A319 (319) 38.0" 28.2" Personal TV None None No
Gulf Air Airbus A320-200 (320) 45.0" 28.5" Personal TV None None No
Gulf Air Embraer ERJ-170 (E70) 36.0'' 20.0'' Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Gulf Air Embraer ERJ-190 (E90) 38.0'' 20.0'' Personal TV None None No
Hainan Airlines Boeing 737-400 (734) 38.0" 20.5" Shared TV None None No
Hainan Airlines Boeing 737-800 (738) 50.0" 20.0" Shared TV None None No
Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200 Vers. 1 (332) 42.0" 18.5" Personal TV All Seats None No
Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717-200 (717) 37.0" 18.0" None None None No
Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 Vers. 1 (763) 42.0" 18.5" Personal TV None None No
Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 Vers. 2 (763) 42.0" 18.5" Personal TV None None No
Iberia Airbus A319 (319) 34.0" 17.0" Personal TV None None No
Iberia Airbus A320 (320) 34.0" 17.0" None None None No
Iberia Airbus A321 (321) 34.0" 17.0" Personal TV None None No
Icelandair Boeing 757-300 (753) 39.0" 20.0" Personal TV None None No
Kingfisher Airlines Airbus A320-200 Vers. 2 (320) 47.0" 18.5" Personal TV None None No
Kingfisher Airlines Airbus A321-200 Vers. 1 (321) 47.0" 18.5" Personal TV None None No
Kingfisher Airlines Airbus A321-200 Vers. 2 (321) 47.0" 18.5" Personal TV None None No
KLM Boeing 737-300 (733) 33.0" 17.0" None None None No
KLM Boeing 737-400 (734) 33.0" 17.0" None All Seats AC Power No
KLM Boeing 737-700 (73G) 33.0" 17.0" None All Seats AC Power No
KLM Boeing 737-800 (737) 33.0" 17.0" None All Seats AC Power No
KLM Boeing 737-900 (739) 33.0" 17.0" None All Seats AC Power No
KLM Fokker 100 (F100) 34.0" 17.0" None None None No
KLM Fokker 70 (F70) 33.0" 17.0" None None None No
Lufthansa Aerospatiale/Alenia 42-500 (AT5) 33.0" 17.0" None None None No
Lufthansa Aerospatiale/Alenia 72-500 (AT7) 30.0" 17.0" None None None No
Lufthansa Airbus A319-100 (319) 31.3-33.2" 19.8" None None None No
Lufthansa Airbus A319-100 NEK 30.0'' 17-18.0'' None None None No
Lufthansa Airbus A320-200 (320) 31.3-33.2" 19.8" None None None No
Lufthansa Airbus A320-200 NEK 30.0'' 17-18.0'' None None None No
Lufthansa Avro RJ85 Avroliner (AR8) 31.0" 17.0" None None None No
Lufthansa BAe 146-300 (143) 31.0" 17.0" None None None No
Lufthansa Boeing 737-300 (733) 34.0" 18.0" None None None No
Lufthansa Boeing 737-330 30.0'' 17-18.0'' None None None No
Lufthansa Boeing 737-500 (735) 34.0" 18.0" None None None No
Lufthansa Boeing 737-530 NEK 34.0" 18.0" None None None No
Lufthansa Canadair CRJ-100 (CR1) 31.0" 17.5" None None None No
Lufthansa Canadair CRJ-700 (CR7) 31.0" 17.5" None None None No
Lufthansa Canadair CRJ-900 (CR9) 31.0" 17.5" None None None No
Lufthansa de Havilland Dash 8-300 (DH3) 31.0" 17.0" None None None No
Lufthansa de Havilland Dash 8-400 (DH4) 31.0" 17.0" None None None No
Lufthansa Embraer ERJ-195 (E95) 32.0" 18.25" None None None No
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-400 (734) 36.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
MDLR Avro RJ70 Avroliner 36.0" 19.0" None None None No
Monarch Airlines Airbus A330-200 (332) 34.0" 17.5" Personal TV None None No
Oman Air Boeing 737-700 (73G) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Oman Air Boeing 737-800 Vers. 1 (738) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Oman Air Boeing 737-800 Vers. 2 (738) 40.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Philippine Airlines Airbus A319-100 (319) 40.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None No
Philippine Airlines Airbus A320-200 Vers. 2 (320) 36.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Philippine Airlines Airbus A320-200 Vers.1 (320) 36.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Qantas Airways Airbus A330-200 Domestic Vers. 1 (332) 35-37.0" 20.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Qantas Airways Airbus A330-200 Domestic Vers. 2 (332) 35-37.0" 20.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Qantas Airways Airbus A330-200 International Vers. 1 (332) 60.0" 21.5" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Qantas Airways Airbus A330-200 International Vers. 2 (332) 60.0" 21.5" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Qantas Airways Boeing 737-800 (73H) 35.0" 20.0" Shared TV None None No
Qatar Airways Airbus A319-133LR (319) 60.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
Qatar Airways Airbus A320 (320) 36.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None No
Qatar Airways Airbus A321-231 (321) 45.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None No
Royal Brunei Airlines Airbus A319 (319) 44.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Royal Brunei Airlines Airbus A320 (320) 44.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power No
Royal Jordanian Airbus A310-300 (313) 51.0" 19.0" Personal TV None None No
Royal Jordanian Airbus A319 (319) 46.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None No
Royal Jordanian Airbus A320 (320) 46.0" 21.0" Personal TV None None No
Royal Jordanian Airbus A321 (321) 46.0" 19.0" Personal TV None None No
Royal Jordanian Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) 42.0" 19.0" None None None No
Royal Jordanian Embraer ERJ-195 (E90) 42.0" 19.0" None None None No
SAS Boeing 737-600 Vers. 1 (736) 32.0" 17.0" None None None No
SAS Boeing 737-600 Vers. 2 (736) 32.0" 17.0" None None None No
SAS McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Vers. 1 (M80) 32.0" 18.0" None None None No
SAS McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Vers. 1 (M80) 32.0" 18.0" None None None No
SAS McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Vers. 2 (M80) 32.0" 18.0" None None None No
Sun Country Boeing 737-800 (738) 39.0" 21.0" Shared TV None None No
SWISS Airbus A319-112 (319) 34.0" 17.0" Shared TV None None No
SWISS Airbus A320-214 (320) 34.0" 17.0" Shared TV None None No
SWISS Airbus A321-111 (321) 34.0" 17.0" Shared TV None None No
SWISS Avro RJ100 Avroliner (AR1) 33.0" 17.0" None None None No
TAP-Portugal Airbus A319 (319) 32.0" 18.0" Shared TV None None No
TAP-Portugal Airbus A320 (320) 32.0" 18.0" Shared TV None None No
TAP-Portugal Airbus A321 (321) 32.0" 18.0" Shared TV None None No
Turkish Airlines Airbus A320 (320) 34.0" 18.5-19.5" Shared TV None None No
Turkish Airlines Airbus A321 Vers. 1 (321) 33-34.0" 17.5" Shared TV None None No
Turkish Airlines Airbus A321 Vers. 2 (321) 33-34.0" 20.0" Shared TV None None No
Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-400 (734) 34-35.0" 19-20.5" Shared TV None None No
Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800 (738) 35.0" 20.0" Shared TV None None No
United Airlines Airbus A319 (319) 38 20.5" Shared TV None None No
United Airlines Airbus A320- Vers 1 38.0" 20.5" Shared TV None None No
United Airlines Airbus A320- Vers 2 38.0" 20.5" Shared TV Some Seats EmPower No
United Airlines Boeing 757-200 (757) 38.0" 20.5" Shared TV None None No
United Airlines Boeing 767-300 US (763) 38.0" 19.0" Shared TV All Seats EmPower No
United Airlines Boeing 777-200 US (Domestic) 38.0" 21.0" Shared TV All Seats EmPower No
United Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 Vers. 1 (CR7) 37.0" 19.0" None None None No
United Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 Vers. 2 (CR7) 37.0" 19.0" None None None No
United Airlines Embraer ERJ-170 (E70) 38.0" 20.0" None None None No
US Airways Airbus A319 (319) 37.0" 21.0" None None None No
US Airways Airbus A320 (320) 38.0" 21.0" None None None No
US Airways Airbus A321 (321) 36.0" 21.0" None None None Yes
US Airways Boeing 737-300 Vers. 1 (733) 37.0" 20.3" None None None No
US Airways Boeing 737-300 Vers. 2 (733) 37.0" 20.3" None None None No
US Airways Boeing 737-400 (734) 37.0" 20.3" None None None No
US Airways Boeing 757-200 Vers. 1 (752) 38.0" 20.2" Shared TV None None No
US Airways Boeing 757-200 Vers. 1 (752) 38.0" 20.2" Shared TV None None No
US Airways Canadair CRJ-700 (CR7) Version 2 37.0" 21.0" None None None No
US Airways Canadair CRJ-900 (CR9) Version 2 37.0" 21.0" None None None No
US Airways Embraer ERJ-170 (E70) Version 2 37.0'' 19.0'' None None None No
US Airways Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Version 2 37.0'' 19.0'' None None None No
US Airways Embraer ERJ-190 (E90) 36.0" 19.0" None None None No
Virgin America Airbus A319 (319) 55.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power Yes
Virgin America Airbus A320 (320) 55.0" 21.0" Personal TV All Seats AC Power Yes

Comparison Chart Key

Aircraft Type:
The aircraft manufacturer, aircraft model, and three digit aircraft identification code.
Seat Pitch:
The distance between two rows of seats, this is the best indicator of legroom. More is better.
Seat Width:
The distance between the armrests of a single seat. More is better.
Seat Type:
Identifies the seat as either a Suite, Lie-flat, Flat Bed, or Standard Seat.
Video Type:
Describes the video service available on the plane:
  • Personal TV: The best type, you'll have an individual video screen with multiple channels at your control.
  • Overhead TV: Better than nothing, there are main video monitors located throughout the cabin.
  • None: You should bring a book... there's no video offered on this plane.
Laptop Power:
Denotes if power outlets for laptops are available: (Read our In-Seat Laptop Power Guide)
  • All Seats: Every seat on the plane in this class of service features a power outlet.
  • Some Seats: Only certain seats offer a power outlet, consult the seatmap for the exact locations.
  • None: Bring your extra battery, there are no power outlets offered on this plane.
Power Type:
If laptop power exists, denotes the type of adapter required:
  • AC Power: No adapter needed, this is just like plugging into a regular outlet at home.
  • DC Power: This plug, also known as a cigarette style, is the same one you'll find in your car.
  • EmPower: A special adapter that has a small head and four connecting prongs.
  • None: Bring your extra battery, there are no power outlets offered on this plane.

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