Air Canada has increased the number of Preferred Seats with additional legroom aboard its North American services.
The carrier launched the option, which for a fee reserves seats with between two and four inches more legroom than standard economy seating, in 2009.
It recently completed a reconfiguration of its narrow-body aircraft which has resulted in more Preferred Seats being added.
Preferred Seats: Where they are and how much room there is
As a result, the airline's 146-seat A320 now has 36 Preferred Seats, compared to 16 previously, while its 97-seat Embraer 190 aircraft now has 24, up from eight.
Preferred Seats, which are usually found in emergency exit rows, can be booked online, on mobile devices and at airport kiosks.
They cost from CA$20 per flight segment, the price increasing with the length of each flight leg and a passenger's Altitude frequent flyer status.
Craig Landry, Air Canada's vice president of marketing, said: "We have reconfigured our narrow-body aircraft with more Preferred Seats, which provide up to an additional four inches of legroom, and are making it easier for customers to conveniently purchase these seats when booking or at any time prior to boarding, including through our website, our airport kiosks or mobile devices.
"Most Preferred Seats are located near the front of the aircraft, enabling customers to disembark more quickly at destination."
In June, Star Alliance member Air Canada opened its Maple Leaf lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 2 (see news, June 24).
Graham Smith
