Premium Economy (is it worth it?)
Premium Economy — what is it and is it worth it?
Premium Economy
Is it worth upgrading from Economy to Premium Economy?
Find out information on Premium Economy and whether purchasing a Premium ticket over and Economy ticket is worth it. Use our comparison table below to see how the two classes compare for all the major airlines!
What is Premium Economy?
Because comfort is such as big priority for many travellers, some airlines offer Premium Economy as a separate seating class to Economy, usually with a greater service and space. Not all airlines offer Premium Economy - it is usually found on international flights. Airlines are increasingly offering Premium Economy, but the question is, is the increased fare worth the upgrade?
What is the difference between Economy and Premium Economy?
The difference between Premium Economy and Economy will vary between airlines, and is likely to also depend on the type of aircraft you are flying on. In many cases, Premium Economy will be separated from Economy with a curtain to increase privacy. You can also expect wider seats and a few extra inches of recline, as well as extra amenities and facilities including complimentary snacks/meals/drinks, power, and a larger personal entertainment screen.
Top Tip: Is extra space a priority to you? Check out our guide to learn more about seat width and pitch and the best airlines for personal space in Economy: Airlines with the Biggest Seats in Economy and Premium Economy.
Is it worth paying for Premium Economy?
Premium Economy definitely offers a better flying experience. The upgrade can be quite a bit more expensive, so is it worth paying for the increased cost? There’s no denying that premium economy is a better flying experience compared to the economy, so the question is, how much are you willing to pay for that privilege? As stated above, there can be some good value, but it can also be quite expensive. It depends on your priorities; many people value the extra room, especially on transatlantic or long-haul flights. Premium class seats will typically have 5-7 extra inches of legroom and width. If the difference is just 15-20%, it might be worth upgrading.
Additional facilities often include adjustable headrests and leg-rests, larger personal TV screens and power ports for laptop or digital devices. Passengers can also usually look forward to a premium food service and complimentary alcoholic drinks.
Airline Comparison
Take a look at below to see how Economy compares with Premium Economy on some of the most popular airlines:
Aegean Airlines
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 17-18 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Adria Airways
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: -
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 16+ inches
Premium Economy: not available
Aer Lingus
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 31-32 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 17 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Aeroflot
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: -
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 17+ inches
Premium Economy: not available
Air Astana
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30-32 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 18 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Air Canada
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 29-34 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 17-20 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Air China
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: -
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 32 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Air France
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 29-32 inches
Premium Economy: 38 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: 17-18 inches
Premium Economy: 19 inches
Air New Zealand
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30-34 inches
Premium Economy: 41-42 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: 17 inches
Premium Economy: 18.5-19 inches
All Nippon Airways
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 34 inches
Premium Economy: 38 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: -
Premium Economy: 19.3 inches
Austrian
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30 inches
Premium Economy: 33-35 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: 17-18 inches
Premium Economy: 19 inches
American Airlines
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 31-40 inches
Premium Economy: 16-18 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: 16.5-18.5 inches
Premium Economy: 17.1 - 19 inches
Avianca
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: text
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: text
Premium Economy: not available
British Airways
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30-38 inches
Premium Economy: 38 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: 16-19 inches
Premium Economy: 18.5 inches
Delta Airlines
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30-35 inches
Premium Economy: 38 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: 16.5-18.5 inches
Premium Economy: 18.5-19 inches
Emirates
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 32-34 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 18 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Etihad
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 32 inches
Premium Economy: Economy upgrades but no Premium Class - Seat Width:
Economy: 17-19 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Gulf Air
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 32 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 17.5
Premium Economy: not available
Oman Air
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 31-34 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 18 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Philippine Airlines
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30-33 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 16 inches
Premium Economy: not available
Singapore Airlines
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 32-34 inches
Premium Economy: 38 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: 17.5-19 inches
Premium Economy: 19-19.5 inches
Turkish Airlines
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30-31 inches
Premium Economy: not available - Seat Width:
Economy: 16-17.8 inches
Premium Economy: not available
United Airlines
- Seat Pitch:
Economy: 30-38 inches
Premium Economy: 38 inches - Seat Width:
Economy: 16-19 inches
Premium Economy: 19 inches
Which Airlines Offer Premium Economy?
Aerolineas Argentinas
- Country: Argentina
- Name for Premium Economy: Club Economy
Aeroflot
- Country: Russia
- Name for Premium Economy: Comfort Class
Aeroméxico
- Country: Mexico
- Name for Premium Economy: Aeromexico Plus
Air Austral
- Country: France
- Name for Premium Economy: Classe Comfort
Air Canada
- Country: Canada
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Air Caraïbes
- Country: France/Caribbean
- Name for Premium Economy: La Classe Caraïbes
Air China
- Country: China
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Air France
- Country: France
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Air Transat
- Country: Canada
- Name for Premium Economy: Club Class
Air New Zealand
- Country: New Zealand
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Air Senegal
- Country: Senegal
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
AirAsia
- Country: Malaysia
- Name for Premium Economy: Hot Seat
AirAsia X
- Country: Malaysia
- Name for Premium Economy: Hot Seat
Alitalia
- Country: Italy
- Name for Premium Economy: Classica Plus
All Nippon Airways
- Country: Japan
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Allegiant Air
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Legroom Plus
American Airlines
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Main Cabin Extra
Asiana Airlines
- Country: China
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Smartium
Austrian Airlines
- Country: Austria
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Avianca
- Country: Colombia
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Plus
British Airways
- Country: UK
- Name for Premium Economy: World Traveller Plus
Brussels Airlines
- Country: Belgium
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Privilege
Cathay Pacific
- Country: Hong Kong
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
China Airlines
- Country: China
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
China Southern Airlines
- Country: China
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Condor
- Country: Germany
- Name for Premium Economy: Condor Premium Economy
Delta Air Lines
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Delta Comfort+
Edelweiss Air
- Country: Switzerland
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Plus
El Al
- Country: Israel
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Plus
EVA Air
- Country: Taiwan
- Name for Premium Economy: Elite Class
Finnair
- Country: Finland
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Comfort
Frontier Airlines
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Stretch
Hawaiian Airlines
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Extra Comfort
Iberia
- Country: Spain
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Icelandair
- Country: Iceland
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Comfort
Japan Airlines
- Country: Japan
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
JetBlue Airways
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Even More Space
KLM
- Country: Netherlands
- Name for Premium Economy: Europe Select
LAN Airlines
- Country: Chile
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
LOT Polish Airlines
- Country: Poland
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Club
Lufthansa
- Country: Germany
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Mahan Air
- Country: Iran
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Malaysia Airlines
- Country: Malaysia
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Plus
Norwegian
- Country: Norway
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Oman Air
- Country: Oman
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Class
Pakistan International Airlines
- Country: Pakistan
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Plus+
Philippine Airlines
- Country: The Philippines
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Fiesta Class
Qantas
- Country: Australia
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- Country: Denmark/Norway/Sweden
- Name for Premium Economy: SAS Plus
Scoot
- Country: Singapore
- Name for Premium Economy: Super/Stretch Seats
Singapore Airlines
- Country: Singapore
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Spicejet
- Country: India
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Sunwing Airlines
- Country: Canada
- Name for Premium Economy: Elite Plus
TAM Airlines
- Country: Brazil
- Name for Premium Economy: Space Plus
Thai Airways
- Country: Thailand
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Ukraine International Airlines
- Country: Ukraine
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
United Airlines
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Plus
Vietnam Airlines
- Country: Vietnam
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Deluxe
Virgin America
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Main Cabin Select
Virgin Atlantic
- Country: USA
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Virgin Australia
- Country: Australia
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
Vistara
- Country: India
- Name for Premium Economy: Premium Economy
WestJet
- Country: Canada
- Name for Premium Economy: Economy Plus
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