46% Rise in Average Number of Seats Available Per Flight

New data reveals a 46% rise in the average number of seats per flight, as aircraft become larger and more dense

16 May 2023

With airlines buying larger aircraft and adding more seats to their current jets, Cirium have revealed the increase in the average number of seats per flight in the last 20 years.

Cirium Data

The average number of seats on flights from Europe has increased 16% over the last decade, and increased by 46% since 2003
The average number of seats on flights from the UK have increased 18% since 2013, and by 44% since 2003
The increased capacity has been driven both by the introduction of larger aircraft and the densification of existing aircraft, by reducing legroom and adding more seats
On narrowbody aircraft departing Europe, the average number of seats per flight has increased by 9% since 2013 and 24% since 2003
On widebody aircraft departing Europe, the average number of seats per flight has increased by 5% since 2013 and 10% since 2003, as larger aircraft such as the A380 have been launched to meet increased passenger demand
Looking at European flights operated by the Airbus A320, the world’s most popular short-haul aircraft, the average number of seats has increased 5% in the last 10 years and 15% in the last 20 years, as airlines reconfigure their jets to add more capacity.