It has been three decades since Taiwan’s Eva Air introduced the first premium economy services
in 1992. While it can bear no comparison to business and first class, the cost can almost
double a standard economy fare, but for what benefits? Let’s take a look in today’s video…
The additional space is usually the biggest attraction for travelers
considering the upgrade to premium economy.
Most economy class seats have around 30-32 inches of pitch while premium can offer up to 40 inches.
For example, Emirates’ premium economy seats feature eight inches of recline,
38 inches of pitch – to which Emirates says on
its website it can go up to 40 inches. Meanwhile, seat width is 19.5 inches.
British Airways premium economy customers, dubbed ‘World Traveller Plus,’ are offered
38 inches of pitch and 18.5 inch seat width on the airline’s A350 and A380 aircraft.
Most premium economy seats also include leg and footrests.
While not guaranteed on all premium economy flights,
many airlines offer far better dining experiences. This often
includes real cutlery and crockery compared to plastic, paper, or tinfoil in economy.
Aside from sometimes receiving better meals and a wider variety of foods,
some airlines also offer a beverage on arrival – resembling a hotel experience.
For example, Australia’s flag carrier Qantas offers complimentary sparkling wine, juice,
or even a cocktail on its 787 or A380 premium economy services. Lufthansa offers
a non-alcoholic welcome drink and a bottle of water already placed on the customer’s seat.
Most economy passengers can find a blanket, pillow, and earphones on their seats for
long-haul flights. Some airlines, like Korean Air, may even offer slippers. But premium economy
customers can usually expect a little bit more to make passengers feel refreshed after a long
flight. This often takes the form of special amenity kits not offered in economy class.
For example, Cathay Pacific provides an amenities kit featuring socks,
an eyeshade, earplugs, a toothbrush, and toothpaste on all long-haul routes.
Since 2016, Qantas has partnered with fashion brand Country Road for its
aesthetically pleasing amenity kit. This includes an eye mask, socks, toothbrush,
and toothpaste. While not exactly a take-home item, Qantas passengers in this class get
to use the same type of noise-canceling headphones business passengers receive.
Lounge access can also be part of the deal. Usually, special lounges are only accessible
to business and first-class customers or if they are part of the airline’s loyalty program.
But two airlines in Japan offer the luxury to their premium economy customers too.
All Nippon Airways allows premium economy passengers on ANA-operated international flights
access to lounges in Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, Kansai Airports, and Honolulu Airport.
Competing with its main rival,
Japan Airlines also offers similar services at Haneda, Narita, and Kansai.
A more generous baggage allowance is another perk that can be available
to premium economy travelers. Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa, as examples,
let passengers check in two items of baggage, each weighing up to 23 kilograms (51lbs).
Meanwhile, British Airways’ World Traveller Plus customers can carry
three bags that weigh up to 23 kilograms each.
While this might be an advantage with some airlines, others offer just as
much baggage for a standard economy fare, so it’s always worth checking.
Some have noted that Premium economy offers the best value for money when compared to
the hefty price of business class and the comfort (or lack thereof) found
in economy class. Would you agree? Let us know by leaving a comment.