Premium Economy
Mar 18, 22, 12:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 141
Premium Economy
My daughter and I each flew AA Premium Economy last November ORD to LHR, different days. Our experiences were similar - no amenity bags, same food and drink (wine or beer with meal) as economy, indifferent flight attendants. Is this the new normal on AA? Seats were nice.
I am booking a flight CDG to ORD in June and choosing between AA Premium Economy and United Economy Plus.
Thanks for any comments.
I am booking a flight CDG to ORD in June and choosing between AA Premium Economy and United Economy Plus.
Thanks for any comments.
Mar 18, 22, 12:35 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,814
UA economy plus is just an economy seat (similar to AA MCE). If you are fine with sitting in economy then it should certainly be cheaper. If you are willing to pay more for the better seat then get premium economy. If you are hoping for a fine dining experience then I would suggest spending your money at a restaurant rather than with an airline.
Mar 18, 22, 12:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 9,940
My daughter and I each flew AA Premium Economy last November ORD to LHR, different days. Our experiences were similar - no amenity bags, same food and drink (wine or beer with meal) as economy, indifferent flight attendants. Is this the new normal on AA? Seats were nice.
I am booking a flight CDG to ORD in June and choosing between AA Premium Economy and United Economy Plus.
Thanks for any comments.
I am booking a flight CDG to ORD in June and choosing between AA Premium Economy and United Economy Plus.
Thanks for any comments.
AA Main Cabin Extra vs UA Economy Plus
AA Premium Economy vs. UA Premium Plus
In terms of service and amenities, as well as the seating, they are both very similar in all regards.
Mar 18, 22, 12:54 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,033
Only buy PE for the seat. It's a very nice seat and better than any domestic F seat period. Don't expect anything else different than if you were sitting in 52H though.
Mar 18, 22, 1:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 310
The FA's especially don't treat it as a separate cabin. Should be evident in the pricing though - QF charges about 3x the price of Y for their W, AA seems to have a 75% to 100% premium at most.
Not sure how BA positions World Traveler Plus (only ever flown BA F on an award) but one would assume the JV is in alignment.
Mar 18, 22, 1:50 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,591
I thought the seats were the same (PE v. domestic first) - plus the foot rest and the IFE controllers.
Mar 18, 22, 2:01 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,814
I don't think so. Domestic F seats are wider (by about an inch according to seatguru). But I think the premium economy seats recline more -- that, plus the foot rest, makes them a lot more comfortable and better for sleeping. The width is enough that you are not bumping your neighbors (unless you are truly huge)
Mar 18, 22, 2:39 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,524
I recently flew with a friend who flies very rarely. We flew a B787 in PE seats PHL-DFW and A321 F DFW-RNO. He said both seats were fine. Yes, I think the PE seats are a little narrower but not much and I don't especially notice any difference. Since I rarely drink and never ever rely on airline food, I'm fine with PE seats when they come up. (That said, I only fly domestically, so of course I prefer "F" on the birds with PE because that means lie-flat.)
Mar 19, 22, 9:14 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
I will point out that the cabin has the word "economy" in the name. It's definitely a nicer seat but it's still fundamentally economy.
If your expectations are for J or F level service definitely buy J or F (though I'd suggest another airline than AA if you want consistent premium service, regardless of cabin).
If your expectations are for J or F level service definitely buy J or F (though I'd suggest another airline than AA if you want consistent premium service, regardless of cabin).
Mar 19, 22, 9:45 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,591
I think PE is a good value for what you get. Given that people clamor like refugees for upgrades on routes like DFW-LAX on 738s and PHX-PHL on A321s, the fact that you have a seat that is almost as nice (seat width), has foot rests, significantly improved recline over steerage, and a pretty quiet cabin, I rarely hesitate to book PE. Yes, the service difference between PE and J is pretty substantial, but so too is the price. Looking at the route I just pulled the trigger on yesterday, business class was $2300 more than PE. That's pretty close to being one house payment - for a 8 hour flight.
Mar 19, 22, 12:05 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 535
I think PE is a good value for what you get. Given that people clamor like refugees for upgrades on routes like DFW-LAX on 738s and PHX-PHL on A321s, the fact that you have a seat that is almost as nice (seat width), has foot rests, significantly improved recline over steerage, and a pretty quiet cabin, I rarely hesitate to book PE. Yes, the service difference between PE and J is pretty substantial, but so too is the price. Looking at the route I just pulled the trigger on yesterday, business class was $2300 more than PE. That's pretty close to being one house payment - for a 8 hour flight.
Mar 19, 22, 12:19 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 821
I think PE is a good value for what you get. Given that people clamor like refugees for upgrades on routes like DFW-LAX on 738s and PHX-PHL on A321s, the fact that you have a seat that is almost as nice (seat width), has foot rests, significantly improved recline over steerage, and a pretty quiet cabin, I rarely hesitate to book PE. Yes, the service difference between PE and J is pretty substantial, but so too is the price. Looking at the route I just pulled the trigger on yesterday, business class was $2300 more than PE. That's pretty close to being one house payment - for a 8 hour flight.
