“Premium economy? Sounds like a pen for dirty animals.”
That memorable quote comes from Rose Byrne’s character in the film Spy, upon hearing about this class of service for the first time, while flying in her private jet.
While funny, there is some sad truth to it. What passes for domestic premium economy in the United States is nothing more than an ordinary coach seat with a bit more leg room. Alaska Airlines recently added a Premium Class option, but it’s no different in concept to other domestic carriers’ products (Delta’s Comfort+, American’s Main Cabin Extra, United’s Economy Plus, etc.). There are some perks, like priority boarding and perhaps a free glass of vino, but it’s really just another way for airlines to charge more for the same product.
Unless you’re flying internationally, that is. On those routes, premium economy starts to live up to the name. Some even rival the business or first-class seats offered on domestic flights. An intimate cabin, more comfortable seats, larger seatback displays, and priority services are just some of amenities that come with the slightly higher price, but significantly less than business class – for airlines it’s a way to increase revenue, but for passengers it’s a luxury option without going broke. We’re noticing that international premium economy is beginning to look the same, but we wouldn’t be surprise if airlines start upgrading their products to one-up the competition.
U.S. airlines had lagged behind their global counterparts in this sector, offering the same product as they do in domestic flights. But things are changing. American Airlines was the first to up the ante with an improved premium economy class on international routes that competes against established players. Not to be outdone, Delta is also adding a sophisticated premium econ cabin to its fleet, while United is following suit with a luxe product to be unveiled sometime in 2018.
If you can afford to splurge a little for a more relaxing long-haul flight, here are some of our favorite premium economy classes.
British Airways World Traveller Plus
Called World Traveller Plus, BA’s sleek premium economy cabin was first introduced on its newest planes, while older aircraft are being updated with the new product. The seats have a 10.6-inch screen that’s 60 percent bigger than the old ones (imagine just how tiny those were), more recline, and AC and USB power for your gear. While the offering is very similar to American’s, it just looks clean and refined.
Air France Premium Economy
Not only is Air France’s redesigned premium econ stylish, the seats have large 12-inch touchscreen displays, which makes viewing movies from a distance a lot easier. Even the silverware and dishes get a bit of extra attention. But it’s the brand-new premium economy product on Air France’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (shown) that has us excited. Each seat has a recline of 130 degrees with improved back support. The tray table even has a “reading rest” for your book or tablet.
ANA
ANA’s Premium Economy cabin and service is comparable to the other airlines here: A more spacious seat with power ports and a large seat-back display, and better food and drinks. It’s even developed an exclusive menu for this cabin that features ramen from the highly regarded Ippudo chain of restaurants. But what grabs us is the complimentary lounge access prior to boarding. Lounges offer a great respite from the rest of the airport, and ANA Lounges are some of the best — a modern space with extensive refreshments (the food is highly substantial). It’s a nice bonus you won’t find with other airlines’ (except Japan Airlines) premium economy.
Lufthansa Premium Economy Class
While Lufthansa’s premium economy is similar to other airlines’, with larger screens (11 or 12 inches) and seats, the cabin in its Airbus A380s are located at the front of the plane and separated from the rest of standard economy by the galleys and its own lavatories. This makes it feel more like an exclusive area of the plane. We’ve tried Lufthansa’s product on its Boeing 747-8, and while we found its location on the plane awkward (it’s wedged within the standard economy cabin), we enjoyed the nicer seat and attentive service.
Norwegian Air Dreamliner Premium Class
Norwegian is a low-cost carrier that operated primarily in Europe, but with the acquisition of Boeing’s new 787, it started long-haul operations to the U.S. and other parts of the world. While Norwegian remains a budget airline that offers low fares, it added a small premium cabin. Seats have some of the largest legroom in a premium econ product, and come with lounge access as well.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy
Virgin Atlantic was one of the first to offer a premium economy cabin, and in the early days it was comparable to other airlines’ business class. While the competition has caught up, Virgin Atlantic’s premium economy has the widest seats of any airline, at 21 inches; more legroom is always welcome, but it’s seat width that makes a comfortable ride. Onboard Virgin’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft, you’ll find the Wander Wall, a social space filled with snacks and where you can mingle with others.
Japan Airlines Premium Economy Class
Japan Airlines offers two seat versions in its premium economy class, but it’s the JAL Sky Premium that you should seek out, which you’ll find on its U.S.-Japan routes. JAL also offers a generous amount of leg room, a big leg rest, and footrest. Of course, not to be outdone by rival ANA, premium economy passengers also get lounge access, including those operated by Oneworld partners.
Delta Premium Select
Delta launched its Premium Select cabin in its new Airbus A350-900 jets. The cabin has a two-four-two layout, which means each seat has easier access to the aisle. Each seat has 38 inches of legroom and a 19-inch width, and while it doesn’t turn into a full bed, it has a deep recline and both headrest and leg rest. But Delta isn’t stopping there. Besides a Tumi amenity kit and noise-canceling headphones, passengers have access to a large 13.3-inch LCD, power ports, priority boarding, and elevated dining service.
Singapore Airlines
Available on its Airbus A380, Airbus A350, and Boeing 777-300ER, Singapore’s premium economy cabin has modern, stylish seats with ample leg and elbow room, as well as a 9-inch recline and leg rest. It’s not as lavish as the airline’s first and business classes, but one thing it has in common with those cabins is the “Book the Cook” option, where you can pick your meal before you take off. Each seat has two USB ports and power outlet, 13.3-inch display with on-demand content, and noise-canceling headphones. Perhaps the biggest perk is Singapore’s excellent service.
Should you splurge for it?
Is premium economy worth the extra fare? It depends on the type of traveler, the product, and the route. It may not matter for a quick flight, but the $75 (pricing varies) fee for extra legroom could come in handy on a transcontinental trip. But there are also other things to consider, besides the chair.
“It definitely depends on the airline but most of the time you are getting things beyond the seat itself, as well — extra baggage allowance, priority boarding, extra drink/meal service, more miles earned, etc.,” says Charles Barkowski, author of the travel site, Running with Miles. “If you are on the fence, it can be good to do a cost analysis and you may find that those things make the upgrade in price completely worth it — even without taking the seat into account.” Barkowski says this cabin has its benefits on flights longer than seven to eight hours.
Seats have greater recline, with better food and other amenities that used to come standard with flying, like free checked luggage.
As we mentioned at the top, premium economy is a general term used to describe two different products: A domestic version that is essentially a standard coach cabin with some extras, and a true premium product on long-haul flights that borders on business class. On domestic flights, premium economy is usually a perk given to elite frequent fliers or as one of the many extras customers can add on, like priority boarding, and checked luggage.
On international flights, however, premium economy has become a “fourth” cabin, a different fare class that’s significantly more expensive — as much as $700 to $1,000, or more — than regular economy (airlines are also branding it differently, dropping the “economy”). Seats have greater recline, with better food and other amenities that used to come standard with flying. Sometimes you may see specials as low as $300, which was what we received from Lufthansa when we checked in 24 hours before our flight — far more enticing for a long flight between New York and Frankfurt.
Some airlines have eliminated first class on select aircraft, elevating business class to the top. For an airline like Lufthansa, its enhanced business class product created a much wider gap between economy and business, the airline says, and allowed for the creation of a new cabin. Besides more profit, this new cabin gives business travelers a more affordable option (particularly those who can’t fly in premium cabins due to corporate restrictions), while offering economy passengers a chance to upgrade to something nicer without taking out a mortgage. Essentially, on some routes, premium economy is the new business class.
Expect more airlines to not only roll out premium economy on international routes (according to Airways News, Airbus says 27 airlines now offer the product, a 300 percent increase from 2008), but enhance the product. American’s new premium economy, while nice, isn’t anything innovative (Runway Girl says the airline missed an opportunity to create a better product), but as this new cabin type becomes more prevalent, we can expect the competition to heat up. Singapore Airlines, for example, is launching a new premium economy cabin with the largest screens, at 13.3 inches.
According to Seat Guru, premium economy seats can cost 85 percent more than a standard economy seat if you purchase in advance, but can drop to 35 percent when you get closer to the travel date or the day of the flight, when airlines may offer it at a discount due to unsold seats. So, if you’re flying long-haul, be sure to check for upgrade options.
