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There has certainly been a rise in popularity in the premium economy class in recent years, with many airlines adopting the model to meet passenger demand. In the airline industry, every little extra comes at a cost, and then you could also ask, is premium economy class really worth it? In this guide, we will find out more about why it works and if it's worth paying extra for. Extra personal space is always an advantage and somewhat of a rarity when airlines still try and fit as many seats as they can into their aircraft. This is the key draw for most passengers when paying for premium economy seats, although some offer additional extras. It costs a bit more, but airlines are finding that passengers are willing to pay for premium economy. What Exactly Is Premium Economy? Premium economy offers extra legroom, wider seats, deeper recline, and more personal space as standard. Some airlines have a separate dedicated cabin for this class, or it may be the first few rows of an economy cabin, typically located on an exit row, for the extra legroom. It bridges the gap between economy class and business class. Moveable tray tables, leg rests, and larger inflight entertainment screens may also feature in a premium economy seat. As business class is unaffordable for most airline passengers, premium economy offers that extra space and sometimes extra perks like free checked baggage, free drinks and meals, and priority boarding. The premium economy class experience varies by airline. Some airlines may have an upgraded food and beverage service, an amenity kit, and priority service at the airport, but these are not standard. Access to a lounge is very rare with this class. However, premium economy is not fitted on all aircraft. It is mostly featured on twin-aisle aircraft on long-haul routes. It generally offers a better inflight experience and is easier to get some rest. What premium economy means across different airlines is worth checking, as for some passengers, it may not be worth paying extra for. It's very much down to the individual and what they want from their experience. A Little Background Premium economy may seem a relatively new concept, but in fact, it was introduced over 30 years ago. In the 1970s, most airlines had first class and economy only. In the late 1970s, Qantas had an all Boeing 747 fleet and saw that a third class could be viable for long-haul flyers who wanted more comfort but could not afford first class. This was termed 'Business Class' and British Airways, TWA, and Pan Am all followed this idea to keep up with the market. Premium Economy came about the same way with airlines seeing the need for a product somewhere between business class and economy class. EVA Air was the first to do so with its Evergreen class on its Boeing 747 fleet. It was a separate cabin with wider seats and more space but the same service. Virgin Atlantic followed suit and called it 'Mid-Class', later changing the name to Premium Economy. It had larger seats, a separate cabin, a welcome drink, and a separate check-in. British Airways introduced 'World Traveller Plus' in 2000. TWA was the first US airline to adopt the model, adding extra legroom to all economy class seats and calling it 'Comfort Class'. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines followed in the early 1990s. In the US, it had limited success as passengers didn't want to pay extra for it. It wasn't until 2016 that the idea really took off, when American Airlines introduced it on long-haul routes. Emirates only introduced Premium Economy on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 in 2022, and it has been extremely successful according to the airline. What The Airlines Offer Some airlines that offer premium economy on flights to the United States include Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Finnair, Japan Airlines, and Qantas, just to name a few. Although most airlines use the term 'premium economy', it is important to note that some do not, which can be confusing when trying to book. These include British Airways World Traveller Plus, Delta Premium Select, KLM Premium Comfort, and Virgin Atlantic Premium. In a YouTube review of three US airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines, a passenger compared the 'premium economy' products on each. They found that in terms of seats available, United Airlines had the most premium economy seats. Delta Air Lines offered priority boarding for its Premium Select passengers. American Airlines had the most space of all three with its Premium Economy product. A free drink and a snack were offered on board Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Of all three, American Airlines was the cheapest. American Airlines won their vote, overall. Some airlines also offer separate seats with extra legroom only at a higher price. These are usually on exit rows or bulkhead rows and should not be confused with premium economy. However, these may be an option if more space is required without additional extras, at a lower cost than premium economy class. Passengers should also check the aircraft type as seating can differ. Different routes may also offer a different service experience. Why Premium Economy Is So Popular Although most passengers would love the opportunity to fly business class in comfort, the price is not possible for most. Premium economy offers some of the comforts of business without the price tag and is relatively achievable. Qantas Premium Economy, for example, offers wider seats with a deeper recline, footrests, and an adjustable ergonomic headrest. A complimentary glass of champagne is included along with an amenity kit and the use of noise-canceling headphones. Commercial aircraft have become more advanced and sometimes larger. Therefore, more product offerings can be introduced in alignment with passenger demand. First class and business class fares have always been high, and economy fares have remained low, so premium economy falls somewhere in between. Airlines aim to sell the maximum number of seats on each flight and generate as much revenue as possible while keeping costs down. Premium economy is strategically priced and has gained popularity, fitting the airline's strategy. Customer demand and expectations have changed for a more premium product at a lower cost. Advances in cabin design and technology have made newer business class cabins possible, which are more similar to first class. Premium economy has become more like traditional business class. It will continue to move forward in that direction with free WiFi, improved seat design, chef-curated menus, improved amenities, lounge spaces, and self-service snack bars. The End of First Class? Business class has now become more akin to first class, with airlines offering seats with lie-flat beds and privacy screens. First class has gradually fallen out of favor with the airlines, because it does not make revenue. In September 2022, American Airlines was the only US airline to still have first class and they were no longer offering the product as of late 2024, due to a decline in sales. In 2000, British Airways introduced the lie-flat business class seat, which was a game-changer in the industry. Airlines started to change business class, offering lie-flat seats, extensive menus, larger inflight entertainment screens, priority services at the airport, and even chauffeur-driven transfers. Added to that, over the years, we have seen a trend for suites such as the Qatar Airways Q-Suite, ANA 'The Room', and the Delta One Suites. According to SMH, a first class return flight from Melbourne to London with Singapore Airlines in 2023 costs $19,600, whereas a business class seat costs $14,000. Post-pandemic prices have changed dramatically, with airlines no longer seeing value in first class. First class travel used to be double the price of business class. Now that airlines are back to full capacity and more people are traveling than ever before, business class prices have gone up. First class seats often remain unsold, and passengers are often upgraded from business due to loyalty rather than full purchase. In the Middle East, first class is still popular, with offerings like Etihad's 'The Residence'. First class is still offered by some airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Qantas, and Air France. The Bottom Line The airline industry has seen a sea change in improved business class cabins and the demise of the first class cabin. This, in turn, has allowed the premium economy cabin to regain favor with passengers seeking an improved economy product. The extra personal space is the main draw, but little extras like upgraded menus and priority services at the airport can make all the difference. Premium economy obviously costs more than economy class but is seen as a more viable option for many passengers. Most passengers would not pay for a business class seat but are willing to pay more for premium economy than a standard economy ticket. For regular flyers, using loyalty points to upgrade from economy to premium economy may be a valuable option. It still offers an upgraded experience, but uses many fewer points than it would to upgrade to business class. Another advantage of this is that there may be more premium economy seats available for upgrade than in business class. Passengers should check what airlines are offering for their premium economy product, as it can differ considerably between carriers. If it's just a bigger seat, it may not be worth it, but with additional perks, it may be worth paying extra. It depends on the passenger's expectations and needs. The premium economy product has proved to be a success and will continue to flourish with better cabin design, more connectivity, and improved services like priority check-in and enhanced onboard service and amenities.
