Prem Economy - observations
May 7, 2012, 12:21 am
#1
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Prem Economy - observations
Had it recently on a short-haul. There is nothing premium about it. It's basically a humane version of econ class, i.e. what econ should be. All seats taken in Y+ cabin, but it wasn't uncomfortable. In contrast, I would have been miserable in Y with all seats taken, even for a short flight.
I do not see myself downgrading from J to Y+ on longhaul (presumably protecting J was of primary concern in how they designed the Y+ product..) , but would happily buy Y+ and not J for <4 hour flights (and so I guess Y+will never make an appearance on short-haul as a scheduled product, to protect regional J revenue).
Actually, it's a more comfortable seat than the wretched NRBC seats. Not a high bar though....
I do not see myself downgrading from J to Y+ on longhaul (presumably protecting J was of primary concern in how they designed the Y+ product..) , but would happily buy Y+ and not J for <4 hour flights (and so I guess Y+will never make an appearance on short-haul as a scheduled product, to protect regional J revenue).
Actually, it's a more comfortable seat than the wretched NRBC seats. Not a high bar though....
May 7, 2012, 7:39 pm
#3
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Aren't we all getting fussy now....Premium Economy is not far off Business Class of the 80s.
May 7, 2012, 11:48 pm
#5
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F 100%
J 90%
Y+ 20%
Y 5%
May 8, 2012, 2:41 am
#6
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You will have to understand - there is no industrial definition of what is "Premium Economy".
In a lot of cases, Premium Economy is simply a Economy with more legrooms.
Should you expect a lot?
In a lot of cases, Premium Economy is simply a Economy with more legrooms.
Should you expect a lot?
May 8, 2012, 4:18 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Every time I see "premium economy" it's just been economy with more legroom. But I'm 1.7 meters, I don't need legroom for anything. I always wish I had more shoulder/elbow room instead. So I usually pay for J even though I really don't care that much about the lie-flat bed (but yeah, it's nice).
When CX has premium economy HKG-LAX I will definitely give it a try. As long as it's reasonably priced compared to full J.
When CX has premium economy HKG-LAX I will definitely give it a try. As long as it's reasonably priced compared to full J.
May 9, 2012, 7:21 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Not if that's all it is, which is the case with UA's Economy Plus. But if it's like BA or QF, (which is the size that CX went for) then you should expect effective pain reduction but not luxury. For me, effective pain reduction = more legroom, more shoulder room, peace and quiet and less queueing for the loo. And that's more than intra-Europe "Business" delivers as you don't get the legroom.
Last edited by KACommuter; May 9, 2012 at 7:32 am Reason: Typo
May 9, 2012, 7:35 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I have no trouble with this product on BA and QF on the SIN/LHR route when I fly on my own pocket (which is also 13 hours or so). So I expect it'll be fine.
May 9, 2012, 7:57 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Frankly speaking Premium Economy is not that much step up from Economy in my opinion. The only Premium Economy product that I have seen that is quite good is the bmi 2-2-2 configuration product on their A330-200. They essentially put the old business seats as Premium Economy, thus giving everyone 49 inches of leg room and 21 inches seat width. They were pretty comfortable when I last tried it on their ORD to MAN route back in the day when it was still running.
May 9, 2012, 2:55 pm
#12
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(I still don't understand why blocking the middle seats with meals is Business Class.)
Not if that's all it is, which is the case with UA's Economy Plus. But if it's like BA or QF, (which is the size that CX went for) then you should expect effective pain reduction but not luxury. For me, effective pain reduction = more legroom, more shoulder room, peace and quiet and less queueing for the loo. And that's more than intra-Europe "Business" delivers as you don't get the legroom.
(What I am trying to say is for Y+, it really depends on how CX positions it - towards the premium experience or American way - simply a way to get more money.)
May 9, 2012, 8:00 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2008
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So I have heard, but I'm not going to do a stop on the way to Europe just to experience a better Y+.
It's CX, and they're run by hard headed business people so it's a way to get more money by reducing the pain of long haul travel 
.
.
May 9, 2012, 8:02 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Hong Kong
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Frankly speaking Premium Economy is not that much step up from Economy in my opinion. The only Premium Economy product that I have seen that is quite good is the bmi 2-2-2 configuration product on their A330-200. They essentially put the old business seats as Premium Economy, thus giving everyone 49 inches of leg room and 21 inches seat width. They were pretty comfortable when I last tried it on their ORD to MAN route back in the day when it was still running.
May 10, 2012, 1:58 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salt Lake City, Los Angeles
Posts: 478
Glad to hear everyone's feedback regarding Premium Econ. I haven't yet flown the product but have been wondering what it's all about since the news was announced last year.
From what it sounds like it's really not worth the price unless you're tall and want the extra legroom.
From what it sounds like it's really not worth the price unless you're tall and want the extra legroom.
