Frontier Airlines says its passengers soon will be able to stretch their legs an extra 5 inches on certain flights.
Called STRETCH, the new seating arrangement will provide a minimum of 36 inches of legroom in certain rows beginning Tuesday on four Embraer 190 jets that have been operated by Frontier’s new owner, Republic Airways Holdings.
Details are being finalized, said Frontier spokeswoman Lindsey Purves, “but I do know the plan is to have the Airbus aircraft configured by February” when the whole fleet will have the expanded legroom.
STRETCH will be available in the first four rows of aircraft with the new seating arrangement, Purves said.
Legroom on planes is referred to as “pitch” — the distance from any point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front.
For example, if an aircraft has a “pitch” of 32 inches, there is 32 inches between the front of one seat and the same spot on the seat in front of it.
has compiled a list of “pitch” at various airlines, with the legroom varying from one type of plane to another.
Delta’s “pitch” runs from 30 to 33 inches; United’s is 31 inches, with some rows up to 36 inches; Southwest’s comes in at 32 to 33 inches; American’s is 31 to 35 inches; and Midwest’s is 33 to 34 inches.
Frontier’s extra legroom will come at a price.
“As we phase this product in, customers that will be traveling on an aircraft that is configured with STRETCH will be able to upgrade when they check in,” Purves said.
Customers who have bought a Classic Plus ticket will automatically be upgraded. STRETCH also will be available to EarlyReturns Summit members free at check-in.
All other customers may buy the legroom as an upgrade. Classic customers will pay $15 per segment of travel, and Economy travelers, $25.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
Legroom going up?
Legroom on planes is referred to as “pitch” — the distance from any point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front. A new Frontier program will provide certain rows on certain planes with 36-inch pitch. They will cost more.
Here’s some average “pitch” across the industry, according to :
Airline Pitch in inches
Delta: 30 to 33
United: 31
Southwest: 32 to 33
American: 31 to 35
Midwest: 33 to 34
