Premium economy on a Singapore Airlines A350-ULR. Photo / Grant Bradley
Twenty years after international airlines such as British-based Virgin Atlantic and Taiwan's EVA Air introduced the premium economy concept, the section between coach and business class still represents fewer than 4 per cent of seats in the sky, according to a recent Travelport/Carlson Wagonlit study.
Meanwhile, US carriers have been far more concerned with basic economy - "economy minus" to some - than its premium counterpart. But for fliers who want roomier seats, better meals, larger entertainment screens, and more personalised service without an extravagant price tag, the options are starting to grow.
In the last year, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines both rolled out premium economy on international flights while United Airlines has started installing new "Premium Plus" seats aboard a handful of its long-haul jets. Like most premium economy tickets, they tend to cost two to three times as much as coach and half the price of business class.
Why the sudden uptick? Longer flight routes, such as Singapore Airlines' new flight from its namesake hub to Newark, New Jersey, are making comfort as important as affordability; for that 19-hour flight, the airline decided to nix coach service entirely, including only premium economy and business class seats.
"Our premium economy passengers are a mix of leisure travellers on special occasions and business travellers who appreciate the value," says Phil Capps, head of customer experience at Australian airline Qantas Airways, another carrier noted for its long hauls. Cathay Pacific Airways' senior vice president of the Americas, Philippe Lacamp, agrees. He says these cabins are about making a "trade up" for small business entrepreneurs, not luring executives away from business class.
Wherever you fall on that spectrum, here is a ranking of cabins that most warrant the upgrade from coach, based on such factors as seat size, amenities, availability, and price. (Fares cited in this story were the lowest available from January - March 2019.)
Consider it your handbook to flight survival, for both the hectic holiday season and beyond.
Though Singapore Airlines' elegant first-class suites and spacious business class seats get much of the attention, the airline's premium economy is an industry benchmark as well.
Why it's better than coach: Aboard the airline's A350s, A380s and some B777-300ERs, seats offer 15 centimetres of additional legroom, an impressive 22cm of recline, and such upscale touches as leather upholstery and extendible footrests. There's also a service called "Book the Cook" that lets passengers pre-order meals designed by a coterie of celebrity chef partners, and noise-cancelling headphones let you tune out while watching movies on a 33.7cm HD touchscreen.
Price difference: On flagship routes, expect markups of 60 per cent to 150 per cent. That's roughly $810 more between Singapore and San Francisco ($1315 in coach and $2133 in premium), or an additional $2062 between Singapore and London.
Along with new business-class suites with closing doors, Delta introduced a similarly souped-up Premium Select section last year. You can find it on A350s and select B777-200s and B757-200s.
Why it's better than coach: Aboard the A350, having one fewer seat per row than economy allows for 20cm more legroom and 17cm of recline. You'll also get an additional inch of entertainment screen space; adjustable footrests, legrests, and headrests; and several personal stowage spaces. Partnerships with LSTN (for headphones), TUMI (for amenity kits), and Alessi (for serve ware) also add a luxurious touch.
Price difference: Fares fluctuate dramatically, depending on the route. Tickets from Detroit to Shanghai started at $1542 in economy and $3098 in premium economy, while those from Atlanta to Seoul cost $2428 in economy and $3121 in premium economy.
The Australian carrier's latest and most comfortable premium economy seats, by industrial designer David Caon, debuted last year on the fleet's B787 Dreamliners.
Why it's better than coach: These cabins offer five to seven additional centimetres of legroom, seven of recline, and 17 to 20 of pitch when compared to the back of the plane. They have innovative calf rests engineered to offer better ergonomic support than Qantas's previous premium economy seats; the new ones offer complimentary adjustable headrests fitted with specially designed pillows. Pull-out shelves for your phone or tablet are a nice extra, as are the dedicated check-in counters at the airport and the self-serve bar for mid-flight snacks, should you feel hungry after a multicourse meal.
Price difference: Every minute counts on flights that can last over 17 hours, so passengers might not mind paying nearly three times as much for a ticket from Los Angeles to Melbourne or Perth to London. (These routes have been running $3733 and $4545, respectively.)
One of the best-designed premium economy cabins has rolled out on Cathay Pacific's A350s, while its B777-300ERs are currently being updated with ergonomic leg rests and additional leg room.
Why it's better than coach: Six-way adjustable headrests and padded, extendible leg rests mean you'll always find a comfortable sleep position. These seats are also extra roomy, with dimensions of 50.8cm wide and 101.6cm of pitch. A small but delightful touch: Aisle-side armrests lower completely so passengers can swivel, rather than get up, to let their neighbours stroll out of the row. Welcome drinks, priority check-in, and generous baggage allowances are icing on the cake.
Price difference: Those additional touches can double the price of a round-trip ticket from San Francisco to Hong Kong ($1875, vs. $979 in economy) and add even more to the cost of a flight from Hong Kong to Sydney ($2083, vs. $825 in coach).
One year after introducing international premium economy, American's seats can be found on the airline's A330-200s, B777-300ERs, B787-9s, and some B777-200s.
Why it's better than coach: Everything from check-in to security and boarding is expedited when you're in premium-including retrieving checked luggage. In addition to three inches of additional width and seven inches more of pitch, you'll get Casper pillows and blankets, small amenity kits, and meals designed by celebrity chefs such as James Beard Award-winner Maneet Chauhan.
Price difference: The upgrade won't double your fare on major international routes, but it comes close: A round-trip from Dallas to Paris, for example, starts at $817 in economy and $1458 in premium economy.
This antipodean airline has some of the roomiest premium economy seats in the sky, and more passengers will benefit as it expands its long-haul route network.
Why it's better than coach: Air New Zealand Ltd. takes the top prize when it comes to seat size. All are 49cm wide and have 104 to 106 centimetres of pitch and 22cm of recline-plus a 12cm armrest, so you won't have to wrestle your seatmate for space. That should compensate for the small entertainment screens - a mere 27cm wide - as should the Kiwi-sourced wines served with dinner.
Price difference: Premium economy fares on the airline's new flights from Auckland to Chicago start at $5405, while economy fares cost $1991. Those from Los Angeles to Auckland start at $3858 in premium economy and $1324 in coach.
This trendsetting airline was one of the first to introduce a premium economy cabin-way back in 1992, when it was called Mid Class. These days, it feels just as fresh.
Why it's better than coach: Virgin's leather-covered premium seats are among the widest in their class, at 53cm. (As with Air New Zealand, though, the entertainment screens are among the smallest, at 27cm wide.) In service upgrades, expect multi-dish meals served on china, a self-serve snack bar, and priority check-in and baggage-handling services so your luggage comes out earlier at the carousel.
Price difference: A cheap economy flight from New York to London, round-trip, costs as little as $626; upgrade and it's upward of $1885. The upcharge isn't quite as steep on other routes, such as London to Johannesburg, where you'll pay closer to double for premium economy.
Air Canada stands out for its extensive network of long-haul and international flights with premium economy seats; find them on all A330s, B777s, and B787s.
Why it's better than coach: The perks are standard: up to 8cm of additional width (depending on aircraft), 17cm of added legroom, and one bonus inch of recline. Two free checked bags can compensate for some of your ticket cost, as can complimentary wine and spirits. But the real selling point is the almost-ubiquitous availability on routes that cover much of the globe.
Price difference: You'll pay two to three times as much as coach fares - a premium, indeed. That's $2601, instead of $746, heading from Toronto to London, or $3198, instead of $1629, from Vancouver to Tokyo. (Both are round-trip fares.)
Skip the cold and enjoy the sunshine across the ditch.