Summary Comfortable seats with more cushion, legroom, and recline make premium economy feel like domestic first class at a higher cost. Amenities like WiFi, dining, and blankets are similar to main cabin offerings, making it feel less exclusive than expected. Inconsistent branding and offerings on different routes can create confusion for passengers.
Premium economy has been a booming seat market among airlines. This particular cabin offers an upgraded experience from the standard main cabin, but is not as luxurious as first or business class. While several travelers look for the most comfortable journey on lengthy flights, premium economy has been somewhat of a hybrid offering and is seen by many as the cheaper alternative to sitting in the front of the plane.
In fact, it has become so popular that most airlines with long-haul international flights have updated the interiors of their widebody fleet to feature their version of premium economy. Legacy carriers with Premium Economy All three US legacy airlines – American Airlines , Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines – offer the class on select flights. Premium economy is its own class and is not to be confused with a subclass within the main cabin that offers more legroom.
On American, premium economy is featured on its Boeing 777-200ERs, 777-300ERs, 787-8 Dreamliner, and 787-9, while Main Cabin Extra is the subclass within the main cabin. Delta Air Lines Premium Select (DPS) is equipped on most of its widebody fleet, comprising Airbus A330-200s, A330-300s, A330-900neos, A350-900s, 767-300ERs, 767-400ERs. The cabin is also branded on select 757-200 flights.
Delta Comfort+ is its main cabin subclass. United Premium Plus is featured on its Boeing 767-300ERs, 767-400ERs, 777-200ERs, 777-300ERs, 787-8s, 787-9s, and 787-10s. Its main cabin subclass is known as Economy Plus.
While premium economy does have some advantages, some elements illustrate how it can sometimes not be worth upgrading to or purchasing the class. 1 Familiar seat Domestic first class experience? First and foremost, the seats in premium economy are more comfortable than the standard economy seats : They have more cushion and are thicker There is increased legroom and even footrests on some airlines More inches of recline In addition to comfort, there is more space as the seats are often arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration as opposed to a 3-3-3 main cabin configuration. Although these seats are spaced out, the experience is very similar to domestic first class.
In fact, many of the seats are the same product as what an airline would offer in first class on their narrowbody aircraft . They do recline further than the standard seat. Still, airlines often charge a significant amount more for premium economy seats compared to domestic first class even though it is a similar or the exact same product.
Bells have tolled for the end of first class for a while, but are they right? Oman Air announced a new business class suite to replace its first class cabin. The airline’s CEO cited softening demand for first class as a reason for the change. Several airlines have switched from offering three classes to two: business and economy.
Some have kept three classes, replacing first class with business and introducing a premium economy cabin. Others, like SWISS, still offer a first class suite with a narrow cabin footprint. I always have trouble when people say first class is dead.
It’s not, really. But it has been rebranded. When I started working on aircraft cabins in the early 90s, the first class seat consisted of a reclining chair, similar to what you find in domestic first class in the US today and in many premium economy cabins worldwide.
Even when Air France and British Airways revolutionized first class flying by introducing lay-flat seats in 2000, they 2 Slightly elevated onboard experience Not exclusive to the class It can be easy to become uncomfortable on any long-haul flight. That is why airlines have introduced the premium economy experience . However, some amenities provided mirror what is offered in the main cabin , depending on the airline and the aircraft.
Many airlines tout their premium economy with the following: WiFi and power outlets Chef-inspired dining with complimentary alcoholic beverages Pillows and blankets WiFi service is offered in all cabins, meaning it is not a true perk exclusive to premium economy. Plus, it is typically available for purchase throughout all cabins. On long-haul flights, meals are served in every class.
Complimentary alcoholic beverages are an elevated offering compared to the main cabin, but on American Airlines , they are only provided “on flights with full drink service,” and “the number of drinks served may be limited.” Additionally, while pillows may not be provided in the main cabin, airlines typically offer light blankets. A push from major carriers such as Delta and Emirates is placing the focus on premium economy cabins as travel rebounds.
3 Minimal airport perks Nothing special for frequent flyers With a premium economy ticket, airlines provide a handful of privileges on the ground, such as: Priority check-in Priority boarding Exclusive security lanes These perks are minimal, considering that, again, they are not exclusive to premium economy . Travelers can also obtain many of these perks depending on their frequent flyer status . Priority check-in typically consists of a designated lane at the check-in counter or kiosk.
The queue, however, is sometimes not recognized by infrequent flyers, leading to confusion or potentially an even longer line. Exclusive security lanes are not offered at every airport and often depend on the day and number of travelers going through security checkpoints. Flying in premium cabins comes with a great deal of benefits, and not just onboard the aircraft.
Indeed, passengers traveling on business and first class tickets can often avail themselves of perks such as priority check-in, fast-track security, and, of course, lounge access. However, one part of the airline industry where this doesn't apply is for holders of domestic first class tickets in the US, as, generally speaking, such fares do not automatically come with lounge access. Instead, this is determined by frequent flyer status.
While many first class passengers will have sufficient status anyway, such a system does seem unfair for those who don't but may be treating themselves to a premium flight as a one-off, and would therefore appreciate the lounge access more than the million-milers that get it every time. I therefore think that all US domestic first class tickets should come with some form of lounge access, but what about you? Let us know in the comments! 4 Inconsistent offerings Depends on the aircraft & route Although premium economy is considered its own class, it is only branded on long-haul flights. For example, Delta will use its A350-900s occasionally on domestic flights, meaning that first class passengers will have a lie-flat seat for their journey, and travelers who choose to purchase a Comfort+ seat will be in DPS.
This can be confusing for some passengers. In addition, since the class is branded differently, the amenities may not be the same as what would be offered on a long-haul flight. The branding could also be reversed, such as Delta specifically offering DPS on select 757-200 routes: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Keflavík Airport (KEF) Minneapolis–St.
Paul International Airport (MSP) to Keflavík Airport (KEF) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Although the experience is offered, the aircraft is not equipped with the same seats that are on Delta's widebody fleet, meaning the product is inconsistent. Because of this, Delta advises that the 13.3-inch seatback screens offered in DPS on widebody cabins are not available on the 757-200.
The carrier also does not provide noise-cancelling headphones on the aircraft type. Were the actions of the airline's former CEO instrumental in Delta's current success? 5 More money A big charge for a little upgrade Premium economy has some advantages, but will likely make any passenger consider what they will be in for should they upgrade . It has been somewhat of a strategy for some airlines, as it is clear that any kind of premium experience on a flight is preferred.
Now, carriers have a plethora of fare classes to choose from that range in price and product: First class Business class Premium Economy Economy Plus (more legroom) Economy Basic Economy With all the choices, passengers are provided with different options that fit their needs. However, some fare classes, such as premium class, could be an easy money grab. Basic economy tickets can be extremely limited in their offerings.
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