Airlines with Amazing Premium Economy Products
Ariana Arghandewal March 17, 2018
Image: Qantas.com
Economy class sucks and sometimes there’s either poor business class award availability and/or paid fares are outrageous. So it might make sense to fly premium economy class sometimes. Most premium economy class products are awful and not worth the upgrade – especially on domestic carriers. However, plenty of airlines offer premium economy products that are on-par with some business class products on domestic carriers. Here’s my list of airlines with amazing premium economy class products:
Image: Qantas.com
Qantas Premium Economy
Qantas Premium Economy seats on international flights resemble business class on some regional domestic routes. The premium economy cabin includes 32 – 40 seats with 38” – 42” pitch. The seats are also fairly spacious at 19.5” – 22.8” wide and a 9” recline. Amenity kits are included as well as a welcome drink and dedicated menu.
Image Source: China-airlines.com
China Airlines
China Airlines’ premium economy class seat on the A350 is nicer than many business class products on domestic flights. The seats are outfitted in neutral tones, with sleek finishes. It’s not all style over substance. China Airlines’ premium economy seat has 39” pitch and the best features a hardshell design, meaning you can recline without incurring the wrath of the person behind you.
Image: Air France
Air France Premium Economy
You may be tempted to do a double take because, on first sight, Air France’s premium economy seat looks very similar to their older business class product. Premium economy may not be an angled flatbed product, but it does allow up to 130° of recline. Air France’s premium economy also provides 40% more space than their regular economy seat, along with power outlets and a USB port. As an added bonus, passengers also receive noise-canceling headphones and an amenity kit. After a brutal stint flying Air France economy class a few years ago, I vowed never to do that again – however, I could be persuaded to give their premium economy product a try.
www.jal.co.jp
JAL Premium Economy Class
Japan Airlines offers a pretty impressive premium economy class product. Not only does it feature 42” pitch, but the seat is about 19 inches wide and has both leggiest and footrest. This turns the seat pretty close to an angled flatbed business class seat. There’s also a power outlet and USB port to keep you charged up throughout the flight, as well as an expandable table to fit your laptop on.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Class
The Virgin brand, in general, denotes an experience above the norm and Virgin Atlantic’s premium economy class seats are no exception. The seats are 21” wide and 38” pitch, footrest, headrest, and just general comfort overall. As expected, premium economy passengers also get access to upgraded dining options as well as a welcome drink and amenity kit.
Have you flown any of these premium economy seats before? Please share your feedback in the comment section.
We recently flew Virgin Atlantic's Premium Economy from LAX to LHR round trip. It was leagues above any U.S. based carrier and worth every penny. The seat, service, amenities & food were all outstanding and it saved us a bunch vs opting for the very spendy Upper Class. The best part? We arrived at exactly the same time as the Upper Class folks. Hah!
I'm used to VS's Premium product on the 744s between LGW and LAS. It's well worth the extra £100-200, particularly on night flights. I tend to fly Economy daytime, PE night. This year, I'm trying out BA's Premium product. I'll report back!
That Qantas guy looks pretty premium!
I think it was on United, or maybe Alaska, within the past year, when I paid an extra $30 on a cross country flight so I could choose a seat when making my reservation rather than accepting (the threat of, if not actually) a center seat assignment at check-in. I think this was an up-charge from basic economy to just plain economy, with no mention of premium economy (for which I probably wouldn't pay extra on a 5-hour flight). I was pleasantly surprised, when I got my boarding pass, that I was in the first "regular flyers" boarding group instead of being assigned, as I usually am, to the last boarding group. No worries about having my carry-on snatched from me at the door.
We flew Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy on a 787 from SEA to LHR. Wide seats, plenty of leg room, good food, lots of snacks, nice service. We flew EVA PE to via a 777 Bangkok last year. Very good seats, food and service for a very long flight.