5 Premium Economy Seats So Good That Passengers Feel They Are In Business Class

In the early 1990s, EVA Air introduced Economy Deluxe on its transpacific flights, and decades later, this class of service is now offered by airlines around the world as premium economy. It's become exceptionally popular with passengers, as it essentially offers the same experience as economy but with upgrades in every way.

For many, this is enough to justify the higher price tag, while business class is reserved for those needing a lie-flat seat and ultimate privacy. For the most part, business class offers a significantly differentiated experience, and premium economy largely consists of wider recliner seats with added legroom.

While business class seats are getting more innovative and more spacious, there are fewer distinctions among premium economy seats. However, some airlines have invested heavily in their premium economy experience, offering a variety of onboard features and additional services to truly differentiate the experience.

United Airlines Elevated Premium Plus

One Of The Most Functional Seats In The World

United Airlines has been taking delivery of new Boeing 787-9s in a premium-heavy layout and an updated interior dubbed 'Elevated'. There are six of these planes currently in service, which are flying from San Francisco to Singapore and London-Heathrow, and they will also begin flying from San Francisco to Zurich in September.

They feature new Polaris suites based on the Elevate Ascent, as well as updated Premium Plus and economy seats with larger screens and updated designs. The new Premium Plus seat is still based on the Collins Aerospace MiQ, as it was before, but it now features privacy wings and a sliding partition, a rare feature today.

The headrest wings include an integrated reading light, and the updated seats also feature a massive 16-inch (40.6 cm) 4K OLED display with Bluetooth capability. In addition to the standard power ports located between each seat, United's updated Premium Plus seats feature USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. Each seat also includes a dedicated water bottle holder.

These seats feature the standard 38 inches (96.5 cm) of pitch and are configured seven-abreast on the Boeing 787. While it's not the most spacious premium economy seat in the world, it has a level of functionality that few other seats in this segment match, making it extremely livable. While only six planes feature the new seats at the time of writing, United is rapidly taking delivery of new 787s and will install the same seats in the Airbus A321XLR as well as the A321neo 'Coastliner.'

Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy

One Of The Best In The World

Virgin Atlantic's premium economy is routinely ranked as one of the best premium economy products in the world. What really sets this product apart is the onboard service and catering, as the carrier offers its premium economy passengers elaborate meals with large portions and upscale presentation.

In addition, the drink selection is extremely thorough, while the carrier is renowned for the excellent service provided by the flight attendants. Ultimately, while the service is one of, if not the best in the world for premium economy, the seats themselves are fairly ordinary.

Virgin Atlantic installs the Collins MiQ on the Airbus A330-900 and A350-1000, which is a fairly standard seat model used across the industry. These lack headrest wings, and the screen size and legroom are average. What's more, this is the carrier's newest premium economy seat, with the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A330-300 offering older seat models.

The Virgin Atlantic premium economy experience is generally excellent, but the seat doesn't push the limits of what defines premium economy as a product. Instead, it's mainly the food and beverage options that will delight passengers, while Virgin Atlantic's cabin crew contributes heavily to an elevated onboard experience. The carrier will install new, modernized interiors on its Boeing 787s and retire the A330-300 fleet, which will help with fleetwide consistency.

Emirates' New Premium Economy

An Incredible Product From One Of The World's Most Famous Airlines

Emirates is already known for being one of the world's best airlines, and in 2022, it began operating flights with premium economy. These seats are available on retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, along with all Airbus A350s. On the surface, the seat doesn't look all that impressive apart from the colors/finishes, as Emirates uses the common Recaro PL3530 with minimal changes.

In addition, the seats have a 13.3-inch (33.7 cm) screen, which is the same size as the economy seats'. What sets the Emirates seat apart, however, is a pitch of 40 inches (101.6 cm)rather than the standard 38 inches. In addition, Emirates offers a generous recline compared to other premium economy seats, and perhaps most notably, the carrier has opted to configure premium economy seven-abreast on its Airbus A350s.

Only a few other airlines in the world use this configuration, with most instead opting to install eight seats per row on the A350, resulting in wider seats. Emirates' premium economy has also been lauded for the quality of the onboard catering.

Indeed, the airline offers a rotating menu with regional themes in premium economy, providing generous, high-quality portions with upscale plating. In addition, premium economy passengers can choose from an extensive list of complimentary wines, including some options from business class, and the airline is also known for providing excellent onboard service.

EVA Air's Latest Premium Economy Seats

More Space & More Privacy

EVA Air was the first airline to introduce premium economy to the world, and today, its latest seat model is one of the best in the world. Specifically, the carrier has eight Boeing 787-9s, which feature 28 premium economy seats based on the Recaro R5, configured in the standard seven-abreast layout for the Dreamliner.

What sets this seat apart is that EVA Air configures it with a pitch of 42 inches (106.68 cm), or about four inches (ten cm) more than what you'll find on most airlines. In addition to the legroom, EVA Air's latest seats come with privacy wings between the seats, as well as a 15.6-inch (39.62 cm) HD screen.

What's more, EVA Air offers its passengers significantly upgraded meals compared to economy, along with complimentary champagne. In addition, passengers receive comprehensive amenity kits, and the airline is renowned for offering excellent onboard service. Only eight aircraft in EVA Air's fleet feature the new product, while the vast majority of the carrier's fleet instead features a much older seat.

However, EVA Air has another nine 787-9s on order, along with 24 Airbus A350-1000s. The A350-1000s, in particular, will replace part of EVA Air's Boeing 777-300ER fleet, while the remaining 777s will be refurbished with updated cabins. As such, the new seats will become much more widespread throughout the airline's fleet.

Japan Airlines' A350 Premium Economy Seats

A Truly Unparalleled Experience

The Airbus A350-1000 is Japan Airlines' flagship aircraft, replacing its Boeing 777-300ERs. There are currently 11 in service, and JAL has introduced new seats across all cabins on this aircraft. In premium economy, JAL went with new Safran fixed-shell seats. Some debate the merits of fixed-shell seats versus recliners, as each has its own benefits and drawbacks.

However, even for those who generally dislike fixed-shell seats, JAL's latest premium economy seat is quite exceptional. JAL configures these seats with a pitch of 42 inches (106.68 cm), tied with EVA Air for the most legroom among premium economy seats. The seats feature a headrest wing as well as full-height dividers between seats, a rare amenity.

​​​​​​​In addition, the JAL premium economy seats on the A350 have motorized controls and a 16-inch (40.64-cm) 4K screen. The seats come with a tablet holder, as well as USB-C ports, and seven inches of recline. Based on the qualities of the seat, JAL's premium economy is already a world-leading product, and then there's the service. JAL's cabin crew is known for providing impeccable service worthy of a five-star ranking.

Meanwhile, it also serves high-quality meals in ceramic dishes with metal cutlery. As a whole, JAL's A350-1000 provides an amazing seat that truly innovates the passenger experience, while the onboard service is as close to perfection as possible. The only downside, however, is the small size of the A350-1000 fleet, meaning that many passengers won't fly in this seat.