Premium economy has become popular with many airlines over the past years. More and more airlines have introduced it as a third or fourth cabin on long-haul routes (and some in Asia on shorter regional routes). It has proved itself a cost-effective way to get more space and comfort than the main economy cabin. Today we'll take a look at some of the best offerings.
Why fly premium economy?
The premium economy product emerged out of the desire to offer more space and an overall better experience for passengers in economy. Interestingly, this is the same way that business class was introduced in the late 1970s and 1980s. It was first introduced in the early 1990s by Taiwanese airline EVA Air, with many carriers following suit. It is now common with many prominent European and Asian airlines, while US carriers came late to the game, focusing instead on enhanced seating within the main cabin rather than an entirely new cabin. And in the Middle East, only Emirates offers such a product (Qatar Airways, for example, has stated it prefers to focus on a good economy class offering). In Asia, several airlines now offer premium economy on shorter regional routes with widebody aircraft (Simple Flying reviewed this on a Cathay Pacific flight recently).
With a similar-looking seat and slightly better meal options (perhaps some included alcohol), premium economy is undoubtedly closer to economy class than business. However, its competitive pricing can make it comparatively more accessible than the most premium seats. Overall, it is an excellent way to get more comfortable on a long flight. More spacious seating, extra legroom, and a more intimate cabin are the main benefits. However, there are other benefits, too - including additional baggage allowance, quality service, and landside benefits such as priority boarding and check-in. For frequent flyers and mileage collectors, there are often also benefits with increased mileage and status credit earnings over economy fares.
We take a look now at some of the best long-haul premium economy offerings - we can't cover all of them; this is just a selection of the best! As with economy class, many airlines have very similar offerings in terms of seat size, width, and pitch, but there are still ways to differentiate. All seat data here is taken from seatguru.com.
Japan Airlines
For pure space, Japan Airlines wins the race. Its premium economy seats all offer 42 inches seat pitch. This is the largest in the industry, as the standard premium economy seat pitch is around 38 inches. Seat width varies between 19 and 19.5 inches depending on aircraft type.
Japan Airlines offers premium economy on the Boeing 787-8, 787-9, 777-200, and 777-300, but not all aircraft are fitted with this product, especially so with their 777s. Also note that on the 777, seats are arranged 2-4-2 across the cabin; on the Boeing 787, this is a preferable 2-3-2 arrangement.
Seat features are relatively standard across airlines. In premium economy class, you can expect a larger screen, possibly a larger table, fixed armrests between seats, a footrest of some sort, and decent recline options. Japan Airlines adds a nice extra feature - a fold-out privacy divider between the seats. The seats also slide forward within a shell rather than recline backwards, a nice feature that guarantees more space for the passenger behind.
Japan Airlines also sets its premium economy apart by offering airport business class lounge access. This is provided on all flights before departure - either for the Japan Airlines lounge or a partner lounge.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand comes in a close second for space in premium economy. All its seats offer 41 or 42 inches pitch, and width is 19 to 20 inches. The airline offers premium economy on all its widebody aircraft and routes - the Boeing 777-200, 777-300, and 787-9. Seats are configured 2-4-2 on the Boeing 777 and 2-3-2 on the Boeing 787.
Despite this spacious seating, it only managed to reach seventh place overall in the Skytrax World Airline Awards for best premium economy class in 2022.
Air New Zealand used to offer a very different and innovative premium economy seat. They launched the Spaceseat in 2010 as a wider seat arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, offering even more space and privacy, but the product has since been discontinued and aircraft have all been refitted with the new seats. The airline is currently innovating again, with new cabins set to launch on the Boeing 787-9 in 2024. This will feature lie-flat bunks for economy class - a world first. New Zealand's flag carrier has also announced a redesigned premium economy product for their Dreamliners, promising more space and enhanced privacy.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is famous for its excellent premium cabins, and premium economy is no letdown. They offer this class on some Airbus A350 aircraft, all Airbus A380s, and some Boeing 777-300 aircraft. All seats have a 38-inch pitch and 19 or 19.5 inches width - very much in line with the average. The seats are arranged 2-4-2 on all aircraft.
As an added bonus, six seats at the rear of Singapore Airlines' A350-900ULR (does not feature an economy class) are single premium economy seats, with an additional storage bin at the side as opposed to the second seat. These are some of the best premium economy seats in the sky for solo travelers!
This is a well-awarded and rated cabin. UK consumer magazine, Which, also chose Singapore Airlines for the best premium economy cabin in 2022. Skytrax World Airline Awards ranked it second for best premium economy class in 2022.
Emirates
Emirates' highly anticipated premium economy cabin launched in 2021, making it the first of the major Middle Eastern airlines to offer this product. It's currently only featured on their Airbus A380, up front on the main deck, and on select routes, but this will expand. Seats offer up to 40 inches of legroom and have a large, padded leg rest. The cabin is aesthetically pleasing, using the same cream leather and wood highlights seen in business class. And it offers an excellent meal served on real dining ware with some business class drink offerings.
Simple Flying had the chance to fly this cabin back in 2021. Skytrax placed Emirates fourth overall for premium economy class, but first for the quality of the premium economy seats.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic
Premium economy has become a popular option on routes from the UK, with both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic developing a solid product. Both airlines now offer premium economy on all widebody aircraft. British Airways still takes things further with a fourth first class cabin on some aircraft.
Seat size and space are similar in this cabin with both airlines. They both offer 38-inch pitch on all aircraft (British Airways' cabin is pictured below).
Simple Flying took a look at both airlines' offerings. This is an excellent example of the best choice coming down to more than size and space. Overall, we thought Virgin Atlantic offered a better product, with a leather seat, a smarter cabin, and better service. Skytrax agrees, placing Virgin Atlantic top for premium economy offering in 2022. Of course, you often don't have a choice, with British Airways flying to many more destinations from the UK.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines
The three big US airlines now all offer premium economy, having introduced it last in just the past few years. None of the three airlines stand out for a spacious premium economy cabin, though - and they all offer a seat pitch of 38 and a width of up to 19 inches.
American Airlines has the most comprehensive and consistent offering in the US. It was the first of the leading US legacy airlines to introduce premium economy and the first to make it available on its entire long-haul fleet (by mid-2019). Overall though, it does not rate well. Skytrax does not even place their product in the top 20 for premium economy class in 2022, with Delta Air Lines in tenth place and United Airlines in eleventh.
Have you flown premium economy class with any of these airlines or any other airline offering premium economy? Which cabins do you think are the best, and what features stand out? Feel free to discuss this further in the comments section.
Sources: Seatguru, Skytrax, Which
-
Japan Airlines
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- JL/JAL
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Tokyo Haneda Airport, Tokyo Narita Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1951
- Alliance:
- oneworld
- CEO:
- Yuji Akasaka
- Country:
- Japan
