What Makes Premium Economy Worth Paying More For?

Premium economy is the newest class of travel in aviation, and it's also becoming one of the most popular ways to fly. It was first introduced in the early 1990s by Taiwanese airline EVA Air, and it's now become truly mainstream. Today, nearly every large long-haul airline offers premium economy on most or all of their widebody aircraft, and some carriers are even installing premium economy on their narrowbody aircraft. It's also been reported that for many airlines, premium economy margins are nearing or exceeding those in business class.

Unlike in business class, the onboard experience in premium economy is fairly similar across most airlines. Depending on the region, premium economy will either consist of extra legroom economy seats or a dedicated seat with increased legroom and seat width. Most airlines opt for a recliner-style seat similar to domestic first class in the United States, although some have gone with fixed-shell seats instead. In addition, premium economy includes upgraded amenities and service. Here's everything you get when you fly premium economy.

The Ground Experience On A Premium Economy Ticket

One of the benefits of flying in first or business class is access to airport lounges, but very few airlines offer lounge access for premium economy passengers. However, many airlines do include dedicated check-in lines for premium economy ticket holders. In the United States, these and other benefits are often grouped into a single set of privileges, such as Delta SkyPriority or United Premier Access. Furthermore, premium economy passengers are usually permitted to check an extra bag compared to economy passengers.

Premium economy passengers also receive priority boarding on virtually any airline. While business class passengers will typically be among the first to board, premium economy passengers often board before economy. This means that passengers don't have to spend as much time in the airport terminal, which is especially beneficial given that premium economy guests don't receive lounge access. In addition, some airlines (particularly US carriers) prioritize premium cabin suitcases at baggage claim, including premium economy bags.

Premium economy is positioned as a middle ground between economy and business class, and the ground experience reflects this. While you don't receive access to exclusive and luxurious lounges, you are granted access to a swifter check-in experience. Priority boarding means less time spent in the waiting area, and priority luggage dropoff means less time spent in baggage claim. Overall, it's similar to economy but quicker and more convenient, as the name implies.

Looking At The Seats Themselves

On most airlines, premium economy cabins feature different seat models from economy. Seat pitch generally ranges from 38 inches (96.42 centimeters) to 42 inches (106.68 centimeters) of legroom, which is substantially more than any economy seat today. Most premium economy seats are also wider than those in economy, resulting in fewer seats per row. On a Boeing 767, premium economy is configured six-abreast. On the Airbus A330 and Boeing 787, premium economy seats are configured seven abreast. Meanwhile, most Airbus A350s, as well as all Boeing 747s, 777s, and Airbus A380s, feature eight seats per row.

In premium economy, you may only see one or two middle seats per row, whereas economy on the world's largest airliners can have as many as four middle seats per row. These seats also come with increased recline, and may include a foot rest or a legrest, if not both. It's worth noting that while most airlines typically install recliner seats, some carriers instead opt for a fixed-shell design. These seats are more controversial as they tend to preserve personal space better when reclined, but they can be less comfortable for passengers.

Naturally, premium economy seats feature larger screens and tray tables than in economy. Some airlines may include an adjustable reading light, and you'll also notice larger armrests. Unlike in economy, the tray tables in premium economy are stored in the armrest rather than on the seat back. This space is instead used for additional storage. As a whole, these seats are more similar to those in economy rather than the lie-flat pods that are standard in business class, but still significantly more comfortable than in the back.

The Onboard Service In Premium Economy

Airlines almost universally cater higher-quality meals with larger portions in premium economy. You may also see more meal choices than in premium economy. While food is still served on a tray, it's usually plated in ceramic dishes paired with metal cutlery and higher-quality napkins. The presentation is also meant to appear more upscale than what you'll see in economy. In terms of quality and options, the catering is superior to that in economy but still inferior to business class.

Premium economy does not typically come with dedicated flight attendants, as you see in business class. Instead, flight attendants working the economy cabin will start with premium economy before working their way down to economy. This means that premium economy is served first, and service is also more prompt, given the small size of premium economy cabins. Even the world's largest premium economy cabins typically have no more than 60 or 70 seats, although Singapore Airlines' famous Airbus A350-900ULRs feature 94 premium economy seats.

Many airlines offer hot towel service for premium economy. In addition, you may receive an amenity kit with minor self-care items, although this is less common. Airlines will also offer a more comfortable blanket and a larger pillow. As a whole, the experience is essentially an upgraded version of what you'll get in economy, whereas business class is an entirely separate experience with significant differences. This is part of why premium economy has become so popular, since many guests don't need lounge access and a lie-flat seat with privacy doors.

Why Premium Economy Is So Popular Today

As a whole, premium economy is essentially a more comfortable version of economy. The seats are more spacious, the food is better, and airlines provide superior bedding. Business class, on the other hand, offers direct aisle access on most airlines, along with seats that recline into bed, even larger screens, and many airlines also offer privacy doors. Business class is a completely different experience from either economy or premium economy, but it's also much more expensive in most cases.

The 2020s have seen the rise of a new trend in the airline industry commonly referred to as "premium leisure". Wealthier customers are now increasingly booking premium cabins, whereas the same customers may have booked economy in the past. The catch is that these customers are still more price sensitive than business travelers. In this day and age, premium economy is more important now than ever as a more affordable option that may be better suited to the needs of certain customers.

For airlines, meanwhile, premium economy seats often sell at a significant premium compared to economy, but take up significantly less space than business class in an aircraft cabin. Some carriers have reported that premium economy is now their most profitable cabin on a per-square-foot basis, with even higher margins than business class. This is also helped by the fact that the soft product for premium economy only costs slightly more for airlines compared to economy.

Is Booking Premium Economy Worth It

Like anything, the question of whether premium economy is worth it comes down to price. However, given that premium economy is a fairly new travel class, you see huge variances in cabin sizes depending on airline, and this creates high degrees of variability in pricing. United Airlines, for instance, installs either 21, 22, or 24 premium economy seats on its widebodies, whereas EVA Air's Boeing 777-300ERs feature 62 premium economy seats, more than two and a half times as many.

Premium economy can best be thought of as an upgraded economy experience. Therefore, it can be considered a good value on most airlines when priced between business class and economy, or if it's priced closer to economy. However, if premium economy prices are close to those of business class on a given route, then it may be a better value to upgrade to business class if your budget allows. Of course, this depends on what you may prefer from your flight as well.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I frequently travel between New York and Singapore, usually with United in economy and a stopover in SFO. Of course, this is anecdotal, but I routinely observe premium economy prices nearing or even matching prices for Polaris, at time of booking and when looking at upgrades. Meanwhile, on one occasion, I ended up booking a one-way flight with Singapore Airlines back to New York via their one-stop service that stops in Frankfurt, and premium economy prices were lower than those for economy. You can imagine how I chose to spend my money then.