American Airlines
A majority of its aircraft have fabric seats in coach, though most also have leather headrests.
Spokesman Tim Smith said the seat backs on American's new planes are curved ergonomically and thinner to provide more room around the knees.
For larger passengers, the airline does not always or routinely charge for an extra seat unless there are no other options, Smith said.
American plans to have Wi-Fi service available on 300 planes within the next couple of years. Currently, it's on 15 aircraft.
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Continental Airlines
Expect fabric seats in coach. The airline offers free in-flight entertainment (prerecorded video and audio selections and games), but earphones cost $1. Pillows and blankets are free in coach. In general, free meals or snacks are served in economy class on flights over two hours that fall within standard mealtimes.
Customers in coach are required to buy an additional seat or upgrade if they can't properly attach, buckle and wear the seatbelt, with one extension if necessary, whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated or as instructed by a crew member. Also, the airline says, customers must be able to remain seated with the seat armrests down for the whole flight and they can't significantly encroach upon the adjacent seat.
The airline has begun installing live television programming on more than 200 aircraft. It has not implemented Wi-Fi yet, spokeswoman Kelly Cripe said.
Delta Air Lines
The airline has leather seats on its pre-merger Delta aircraft and will be putting leather seats on all Northwest Airlines aircraft, spokeswoman Betsy Talton said. Northwest is now a subsidiary of Delta.
The world's biggest airline operator has a wide array of aircraft types, and seat width and pitch vary. The width of the coach seats on the A330 that Trippler mentioned is 17.5 inches.
Delta works to accommodate passengers who need extra room and seat them next to an empty seat if possible. There may be situations where they are offered an additional seat at the lowest available fare when necessary, Talton said.
Delta currently expects to have Wi-Fi installed on 300 aircraft this fall.
