A long-haul flight with comfortable legroom, spacious seats, fancier meals and customised amenities gives the feel of a leisure destination in itself. The primary highlight is that you don’t even have to get a business class ticket to avail these plush experiences. That’s right! Because the premium economy seats of some of the most prestigious airlines make no less than an impressive effort to serve the best to its passengers.
Also known as ‘world traveller plus’ (British Airways), ‘premium select’ (Delta Airlines), ‘premium plus’ (United Airlines), ‘premium’ (Virgin Atlantic) or even ‘elite economy plus’, the introduction of the premium economy dates back to the 1990s when it was first brought in by a Taiwanese airline, EVA Air.
Although there is no set standard of services and amenities across the board when it comes to premium economy seats, you can always expect extra legroom, wider seats and priority boarding for passengers of this category. However, the below-listed airlines are a notch above the rest in providing the overall experience to their passengers in that cabin.
What are the types of seats on a plane?
Most airlines have four types of seats or cabin classes, namely economy, premium economy, business, and first class. However, some airlines also offer ‘economy plus’ seats which are a little more spacious than the standard economy seats but not as luxurious as the premium economy seats. On United Airlines, it is known as ‘economy plus’; on Delta Airlines – Comfort+; on American Airlines – ‘Main Cabin Extra’; and on JetBlue it is known as ‘Even More Space.’
How is premium economy different from economy?
- The amenities in the premium economy class are superior to the ones in the economy class. However, they aren’t ‘exactly’ the ones offered in business or first class.
- According to Skyscanner, a seat in the premium economy class costs way higher than an economy ticket but costs 65 per cent less than a business class ticket.
- The seats are more spacious compared to the economy section. A regular premium economy ticket includes extra legroom – around five to seven inches more, as per Skyscanner.
The airlines with the most luxurious premium economy seats
Jump To / Table of Contents
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Dedicated check-in counter and priority boarding lane
Privileges on the flight:
- Personalised service
- Spacious private cabins
- The Dreamliner B787 and A380 premium economy seat is designed particularly for ultra–long haul flying with custom–built features to provide the utmost comfort
- The exclusive recline motion along with the wide seat functional space serves a pleasantly relaxing time
- What adds more to the comfort is a uniquely designed pillow that can be fitted into the ergonomically designed headrest along with a restructured footrest
- A glass of complimentary Australian sparkling wine followed by a modern menu along with a premium selection of drinks
- Access to the self-serve snack bar on selected flights
- Personal touchscreen TV sets on the side console and noise–cancelling headphones
- USB ports and power access on selected aircraft
- Amenity kit on selected overnight flights which includes an eye mask, a dental kit and socks along with large cotton pillows and woollen blankets
Image Credit: qantas.com
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Accelerated check-in, security, baggage service, and priority boarding
Privileges on the flight:
- Wider and adjustable seats along with deeper recline, more legroom, adjustable leg rest, and footrest
- Elevated dining experience coupled with contemporary beer, complimentary beer, wine, and spirits
- Personal entertainment screens and in-seat power ports
- Premium amenity kit including eyeshades, socks, lip balm, and other additional travel essentials
- Memory-foam pillow and comfortable blankets
Image Credit: Delta/Twitter
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Priority boarding lane, check-in, and baggage
Privileges on the flight:
- Customised service
- More legroom along with wider and adjustable leather seats with expandable footrests and headrests
- Chef-inspired meal with complimentary beer, wine and spirits
- Onboard Wi-Fi, free, personal on-demand entertainment with bigger screens and noise-reducing headphones along with USB ports and power outlets
- Amenity kit which includes an eye mask, dental kit, socks, and other travel essentials as well as pillows and blankets
Image Credit: Runway Girl Network/Twitter
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Priority check-in with personalised services, priority boarding, two free checked bags, and priority baggage handling
Privileges on the flight:
- Wider seats with more recline and 7 inches more legroom
- Onboard Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment on personal large-screen monitors
- Power outlets at every seat
- Upgraded menu
- Pre-packaged pillows and blankets on every seat
- Bar services for flights over two hours will include bottled water, black tea, Lavazza coffee, a limited variety of soft drinks, and individual-sized bottles of white and red wine.
- A complimentary CleanCare plus kit which includes a mask, antiseptic wipes, and hand sanitiser along with an amenity kit on international flights
Image Credit: aircanada.com
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Dedicated check-in counter
Privileges on the flight:
- Personalised services and a welcome drink on long-haul flights
- Wider seats with plentiful recline, a supported headrest and extendable legroom
- Full-length calf rests and leather padded footrests
- A larger foldable table for both working and dining along with additional storage space
- Wide range of dining options including starters, main course, dessert and beverages along with a selection of wines and Betsy Beer
- Inflight entertainment system
- A sustainable amenity kit including eyeshades, earplugs, socks, a toothbrush, and toothpaste on long-haul flights
Image Credit: cathaypacific.com
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling
Privileges on the flight:
- Available on Airbus A350, A380, and Boeing 777, the seats are spacious with a calf rest, footrest, extra legroom, and ample recline
- Two USB ports, adjustable personal reading light, and power supply within the seats
- Dedicated stowage areas
- Onboard Wi-Fi is available on all aircraft except for the Boeing 737 – 80oNG
- Reservation of delightful main course dishes from the premium economy Book the Cook for up to 24 hours
- In-flight entertainment on a video touchscreen headset, a 13.3 inch HD enabled touchscreen monitor along with noise-cancelling headphones
Image Credit: singaporeair.com
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, and access to the ‘ANA’ lounges at Honolulu Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, and Narita Airport
Privileges on the flight:
- Wider seat pitch and seat along with extra legroom as well as adjustable leg rest and headrest
- Separate individual stowage space, personal monitor, larger tables, personal adjustable monitor, power ports
- Passengers can order drinks from the business class section which includes champagne, red or white wine, sake, umeshu plum wine, and shochu along with snacks which include petit four and soup
- Pillows and blankets, slippers, shoe horn, and additional amenity goods such as an eye mask, ear plugs, toothbrush set, and pocket tissues
Image Credit: ana.co.jp
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Double baggage allowance, doorstep baggage pick-up and check-in provisions for flights departing from Zurich, Heathrow, Geneva, and Gatwick.
- Access to priority boarding as well
Privileges on the flight:
- Separate smaller cabins with wider seats, greater recline, lumbar support, a foot and headrest and more legroom
- A glass of sparkling wine after take off along with a starter followed by a main course and dessert
- Snacks, beverages, and alcoholic drinks will be served from time to time
- Personal flat screen monitors along with noise cancelling headphones
- Amenity kit containing earplugs, lip balm, an eye mask, toothbrush, toothpaste, and socks
Image Credit: British Airways/Twitter
Premium economy features–
Privileges on the ground:
- Dedicated check-in and priority baggage delivery
Privileges on the flight:
- Seat pitch up to 38 inches
- Spacious large leather seats along with extra legroom
- Elevated dining experience from starters to desserts and beverages
- Onboard Wi-Fi charges start from Euro 2.99 (INR 269.82)
- Premium amenity kit containing an eye mask, lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste, on night flights
Image Credit: Virgin Atlantic/Twitter
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Priority check-in and boarding
Privileges on the flight:
- Wider cream leather seats with more room to stretch out
- Extra space for cushioned leg rests along with a six-way adjustable headrest, a deeper recline, and overhead mood lighting
- Passengers may choose from a wide variety of dishes from the contemporary menu along with drinks and snacks that include Chandon sparkling wine, extra vintages from the Business class list, liqueurs and chocolates
- Upgraded inflight entertainment system with a 13.3-inch HD TV. The current A380 aircraft highlights a higher-speed onboard Wi-Fi
- Sustainable amenity kits featuring eyeshades, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other travel essentials along with large pillows and soft blankets
Image Credit: Emirates/Twitter
Premium economy features –
Privileges on the ground:
- Priority check-in and boarding, baggage drop-off, and extra baggage allowed
Privileges on the flight:
- Wider seats (width 46 cm) along with extra legroom, seat pitch of up to 99 cm, headrests with four adjustable settings and double armrest
- Personal reading lamps, separate USB ports
- Personal entertainment system of 15.6 inches
- Alcohol-free welcome drinks followed by three steaming hot main courses and snacks
- Eco-friendly toiletries bag which includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, and a sleeping mask
Image Credit: swiss.com
(All conversions done at the time of writing)
Hero Image Credit: Swiss/Twitter; Feature Image Credit: emirates.com
Related Article: Why Emirates’ Legendary First-Class Suites Are Worth The Splurge: From Unlimited Caviar To Onboard Showers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: The amenities in the premium economy class are better compared to the economy class. The seats are more spacious; however, the fare is higher than the standard economy seats.
Answer: While passengers cannot lie flat in premium economy seats, the adjustable headrest, as well as extra legroom and reclined seats, make for a comfortable journey. Additionally, many airlines offer comfortable blankets and pillows for a relaxing time.
Answer: Premium economy seats do not have the feature of lying flat but have additional features like extra legroom, spacious reclining seats, and headrests for a comfortable journey.
Answer: If you upgrade to premium economy, you'll have a good number of beneficial provisions — wider seats, more legroom, extra inches of seat recline, a power outlet, a larger personal entertainment system, a better selection of meals, and even access to a priority boarding, check-in, and extra baggage allowance.
Shrestha Purkayastha
Digital Writer
With a well-built background in English Honours and Mass Communication, Shrestha is a writer who holds a fair experience in understanding and creating content in terms of writing. Previously, her professional exposure counted working with Curly Tales as a content writer. Besides the routine designation, she's a photographer and an artist by passion, a trained singer by heart and of course an independent writer by an incomparable zeal. The interesting disclaimer is, she’s always on the run for her comical laugh and hilarious escaping excuses.
