IFL In-Flight

Narrowbody vs Widebody

These terms describe the size of an aircraft by the number of aisles in the cabin. A narrowbody has a single aisle and seats arranged roughly six across, like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 families; a widebody has two aisles and can seat eight to ten across, like the Boeing 777 and 787 or Airbus A330 and A350. Airlines use narrowbodies for short and medium routes and widebodies for long-haul, where more space, cargo and range are needed. As a passenger it affects your comfort: widebodies usually feel roomier, are steadier in turbulence and offer more premium cabins and storage. Tip: on longer flights it's worth checking which aircraft operates your route — the type is shown when you book — as it hints at the seating, screens and comfort you can expect.