ROCAT

JAL's Premium Economy:


JAL's Economy:


Do any US carriers offer that kind of difference in its economy sub sections? Point of reference the JAL Sky Wider II seat (economy) has a greater pitch and width then United's Economy Plus seats. The fact is that foreign airlines PE is a completely different product then its economy product, in the US the enhanced economy seats are not.

Tchiowa

It's still a matter of degree. JAL's E+ seats compared with JAL's E- seats have a larger difference than UA E+ to UA E-. That doesn't mean that premium economy on UA isn't premium economy.

LondonElite

You're arguing semantics. A premium economy class is a completely different product, as has been pointed out above. AA's Main Cabin Extra and UA's Economy Plus merely have the seats shifted on the rails by a few inches to give slightly more legroom. Instead of calling them 'premium economy', you should call them 'extra legroom' seats.

As was recently pointed out somewhere else, many hoped that AA would introduce a real premium economy cabin. When it was pointed out to them that upgrades from economy would then be to premium economy, rather than business, they shut up about hoping for premium economy.

Cloudship

There really needs to be a sticky on this somewhere.

E+, each airline calls it something different like Economy Plus, Economy Comfort, Even More Space, etc., is a regular economy seat just like the rest of the economy seats on the plane, only it has more legroom (greater pitch) and sometimes comes with a few more benefits like free drinks and early boarding.

Premium Economy is a different product altogether - a different seat, not only more legroom but also a wider seat, wider armrests, and usually (not always) better meals and baggage allowances. This varies dramatically from one airline to the next, which also is reflected in the price difference between it and economy/business.

I would dearly love to see some version of this come to the domestic market. But domestically, airlines already have and make some money off of first class. Many international PE products already approach domestic first, so it gets hard to figure out how to fit it in. I personally think airlines are too chicken to try something new, I think an airline would do well to try the Midwest model and instead of offering a few seats with super enhanced services as first, instead offer a lot more wider seats but with service closer to economy (or old style economy back in the day) that people could actually afford and justify.

Zeeb

You're being pedantic. "Premium Economy" in the worldwide airline industry is clearly a different product from the various economy plus offerings that the US domestic carriers have. The most obvious difference being that domestic carriers are still using the same seats, just with some extra pitch, while a true premium economy cabin uses different seats.

go_around

"The Skycouch is a row of three Economy seats that together create a flexible space for whatever you want it to be - an area to relax and stretch out in, or for the kids to use as a play area."

Just what everyone needs.

onobond

Yes, just waiting for the oares

Letitride3c

Precisely so, CI's measured in at 54"L x 25"W - those that can fit themseves into such couching positions for 12+ hours with a child (or, two) - my salute !

Yulp, what to do with takeoffs & landings and that "upright" positions with the seatbacks & trays stored ...
Nevermind those overhead bins for carry-ons since it will likely be stowed below the main deck (under floor storage ??) with a personal bag only

Those sleepers (buses) in Asia were (are) fire traps when it comes to egress in case of emergencies.

ElPresidente

I can see an advantage for those that mutter BREEDERS under their breath when they see families.

On the NZ 777 these are 10 rows on each side of the first coach section. On the CI 777 Family Couch are only on the right side of the first coach section.

Solution: pick the rear coach cabin of NZ, or at least the left side on CI and you reduce the risk of children disturbing you.

BRITINJAPAN3

+ ANA + Virgin

Tchiowa

That's not pedantic. You're saying that since airline A has a better premium economy service than airline B, airline B doesn't really have premium economy. Doesn't wash. Sorry.

Ber2dca

I think there clearly is a difference between economy seats with extra seat pitch and premium economy and i believe this is something generally accepted within the industry as well.

If you go to United.com it will offer you a choice between Economy, Business and First. Economy Plus is merely an option when you choose your seats. Same with KLM/Delta's Economy Comfort. They are not booking classes, they are extras for Y. But if you go to say the website of Air Canada or BA or Virgin Atlantic, you will be able to book their Premium Economy as a separate booking class.

I don't think United itself, just as an example, understands their Economy Plus offering as a Premium Economy offering.

GUWonder

That prison-ship-like arrangement would first have to deal with being considered safe for securing passengers during take-off/landing/in-flight turbulence and being able to allow for a timely evacuation in case of emergencies. Even if it passed those tests of sort, the airlines would find more customers downgrading from first/business class to captive class because the airline-provided in-flight meal service and other entertainment/product aren't worth a premium on redeye flights.