The 777 was designed especially for comfort on longer flights. The 777 is 30.9 inches (78.4 centimers) wider than its Airbus counterpart, the A330/340. This extra elbowroom makes the 777 the widest airplane in its class, allowing for roomier aisles and seats. Although individual airline customers choose seating configurations, once an interior is configured, the extra width makes a difference in coach, business, and economy classes. When airlines opt to seat nine abreast in economy class, for example, the seats can be 18 1/2 inches (46.99 centimeters) wide - the widest in the industry. In business class, seating can accommodate 20-inch (50.8 centimeter) wide seats, the same size as first-class seats on many competing airplanes.