Premium economy

Premium economy "shell" seats on Japan Airlines.

Premium economy is a travel class offered on some airlines. This travel class is positioned between economy class and business class in terms of price, comfort, and amenities. In 1991, EVA Air was the first to introduce Evergreen Class (later renamed to Elite Class) and had since become the first airline to offer this class of service in the world.
In some ways Premium Economy has become a standard reflecting what Economy was like 40 years ago (or more); as an example the seat pitch of United Airlines' Economy Class was 36 inches back in the 1970s, the same seat pitch as most airlines' Premium Economy these days.[1][2]

Characteristics

As of 2011, the term is not standardized among airlines, and varies significantly between domestic and international flights and between low-cost or regional airlines and other airliners.[3] Premium economy is sometimes limited to just a bit more leg room, but at its most comprehensive can feature services associated with business class travel.[3]

Airline premium economy cabin. Rows of seats arranged between aisles.
Elite class, premium economy on EVA Air

Air New Zealand's and Qantas' Premium Economy include amenities such as prioritized check-in, large customized seats (some for couples, others targeting solo travelers), seat pitch up to 41 inches (104 cm) with 50% more recline, premium meals, a self-service bar for drinks and snacks, a personal in-flight entertainment center with remote control, noise-cancelling headphones and choices in games and movies for children and adults, skin care products in the lavatory, and an amenities pouch containing items such as socks, sleep masks, earplugs, and toothbrushes.[4]

At the other extreme, some extra legroom seats in Economy Class, with the same service and seat model, are also marketed as an enhanced Economy class in some airlines. For example, in the United States domestic market, airlines such as American, United, Delta, and JetBlue have an upgraded Economy class with 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) more leg room as the only difference; they market the class as Main Cabin Extra,[5][6] Economy Plus, Comfort+, and Even More Legroom respectively, while other services such as ground services and food and beverage services are on par with their normal Economy Class.[3]

Service codes used by airlines vary, but W is the most common code – for example, Virgin Atlantic uses W as a subclass code for its Premium Economy product.[7]

Examples of differences

Differences between Premium Economy and Economy class may include:[8] [9][10]

  • a free upgrade to premium members of frequent-flyer program and passengers flying full-fare economy,
  • a separate section of the economy/coach cabin with more legroom (36–42" (91–106  cm) seat pitch), along with some form of leg rest,
  • improved in-flight entertainment features (larger screen, more options, included headphones, etc)
  • dedicated cabin crew
  • smaller cabin size
  • better seats (often fewer seats per row, to increase shoulder/elbow room)
  • at-seat laptop power
  • at-seat telephone
  • lounge access (for some airlines)
  • priority boarding/check in
  • increased frequent flyer points
  • exclusive amenity kits
  • hot towel service
  • welcome drinks (juice or champagne)
  • upgraded meals and drinks
  • increased luggage allowance
  • seats in front of the engines

Some airlines may designate an entire economy class as premium, such as United p.s. on its transcontinental Boeing 757-200 premium service aircraft. In other airlines premium economy may be what used to be regular economy before more seats were added, or just the most attractive rows in the economy section. Premium Economy tickets also normally earn more mileage in an airline's frequent flyer program, attracting a bonus between Economy and Business.

Airlines

Airlines offering this service include:

  • Aerolineas Argentinas: Club Economy: Only on 737s and E190s. Replacing business class on all domestic flights and international flights under 4 hours. Offers similar benefits to business class, including lounge access.
  • Aeroflot: Comfort class
  • Aeroméxico: Aeromexico Plus, now standard across the entire 737 fleet. Offers 4" extra leg-room, 1.5" more recline and adjustable leather headrests. Includes priority check-in, baggage handling, boarding and deplaning, as well as extra mileage for frequent flyers.
  • Air Austral: Classe Comfort
  • Air Canada: Premium Economy - on some International routes with new Boeing 777, Airbus A330-300 and on all Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.[9]
  • Air Caraïbes: La Classe Caraïbes (Long haul only. Offers 36" of pitch, more recline, a wider seat, a larger PTV and more)
  • Air China: Premium economy (only on A330-300s and 777-200s. Wider seat with at least 36" of pitch, nearly double recline and a PTV, plus more amenities. The new 747-8s and 787-9s will also offer Premium Economy)
  • Air France: Premium Economy. Offers SkyPriority, paid lounge access, improved meals (including stainless steel cutlery and real glass drinkware), a separate cabin featuring fixed shell seats with a 97 cm pitch and extra wide armrests.
  • Air Transat: Club Class
  • Air New Zealand: Premium Economy on 777-200ER and 787-9 (offers 41" pitch and more recline. Wider seats on 787). Premium Economy Spaceseat on 777-300ER (offers 42" pitch and wider seat which reclines forward within shell). Both include premium meals and check-in, two checked bags and two carry bags.
  • Airasia: Hot seat
  • Airasia X: Hot seat
  • Alitalia: Classica Plus (Premium Economy Class) on the new Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Boeing 777-200ER have been upgraded later.
  • All Nippon Airways: Premium Economy
  • Allegiant Air: Legroom Plus: Offers up to 4" more pitch. Giant Seats: Only on 757s. Bigger seats with at least 6" more pitch, similar to Spirit's Big Front Seats.
  • American Airlines: Main Cabin ExtrAA [6] (offers a slightly wider seat only on the Boeing 777-300ER, 2" more recline and 4-6" more legroom but no other benefits). Premium Economy available on 787-9, will be available on the new A350-900 in 2018 and be retrofitted on the rest of the fleet. Premium Economy customers will also get two free checked bags, priority boarding, and enhanced food and drink service including free alcohol. This product will make American Airlines the first U.S. carrier to offer a four-cabin aircraft.[11]
  • Asiana Airlines: Premium Economy, only on all new Airbus A350-900
  • Austrian Airlines From 1st March 2018, Premium Economy [12]
  • Avianca: Economy Plus (Only International Service Airbus A330-200 between Bogota-Madrid-Bogota, Bogota-Barcelona-Bogota, Cali-Madrid-Cali, Medellin-Madrid-Medellin)
  • British Airways: World Traveller Plus
  • Brussels Airlines: Economy Privilege[13]
  • Cathay Pacific: Premium Economy (only on Long-haul models, but soon to enter short-haul as well)
  • China Airlines: Premium Economy - now available on Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-900.
  • China Southern Airlines: Premium Economy class
  • Condor: Condor Premium Economy offers more recline and 15 cm/6" more legroom on long haul flights in its Boeing 767-300 fleet, free spirits during meals, free amenity kits, free headsets and more. Short haul planes have the middle seat blocked off and no extra legroom or recline.[14]
  • Delta Air Lines: Delta Comfort+ (Offers up to 36 inches of pitch, especially on planes with a pitch of either 32 or 33 inches in economy class) and free HBO programming. 50% more recline and free spirits are also offered on long-haul, transcontinental and international flights. Transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX/SEA/SFO also get 1 free premium snack and a free cold meal from Luvo, as well as a pre departure bottle of water and a sleep kit) [15]
  • Edelweiss Air: Economy Max: Long-haul only. Offers 15 cm/6" more pitch and 5 cm/2" more recline(94 cm/37" of pitch and 20 cm/8" of recline in lieu of 79 cm/31" of pitch and 15 cm/6" of recline in Economy), as well as free alcohol and an amenity kit.
  • El Al: Economy Plus (Economy +) On 747s, 777s, 787s and 767s. Offers 4" more pitch (36" up from the usual 32"), 33% more recline, a footrest, priority ground service, a comfort kit, a bottle holder and more.
  • EVA Air: Elite Class (Only on all Boeing 777-300ER aircraft)
  • Finnair: Economy Comfort (Coming December 2014 to long haul aircraft. Offers 3-5" more seat pitch, comfier headrests, a comfort kit and better headphones)
  • Frontier Airlines: Stretch (first 4 rows and exit rows of Airbus offering a minimum of 36in pitch.)
  • Hawaiian Airlines: Extra Comfort (Only on Airbus A330-200 aircraft, comes with priority boarding, full 36 inches (91 cm) of legroom, complimentary on-demand in-seat entertainment, upgraded meal on international main meal only, comfort kit on international routes only, complimentary pillow and blanket on all domestic routes, souvenir pillow and blanket set on international routes only).[16]
  • Iberia: Premium Economy - on A340 and A330: Leager seat width/pitch, larger IFE screen, amenity kit, and priority check in/boarding[10]
  • Icelandair: Economy comfort
  • Japan Airlines: Premium Economy[17]
  • JetBlue Airways: Even More Space (offers a minimum seat pitch of 38", as well as both priority boarding and screening)
  • KLM: Europe Select (Only on inter-Europe itineraries, on B737-700/800/900 models) Economy Comfort (Long-haul only). Similar to Delta's Economy Comfort, offering similar seat pitch, and amenities, but with a larger recline advantage.
  • LAN Airlines: Premium Economy: Only on A320 series planes. Provides more legroom, width, and recline, plus the middle seat is blocked out to allow more space.
  • LOT Polish Airlines: Premium Club (Long-haul only)
  • Lufthansa: (from March, 2014, starting out on 747-8 and is expected to be installed on all long haul planes by mid 2015.)
  • Mahan Air: Bigger Seats and More Legroom on A340s Long Haul flights
  • Malaysia Airlines: Economy Plus, only on all wide-body aircraft.
  • Monarch Airlines: Extra Legroom: Offers wider seats with 5-6" more seat pitch and on A330s, PTVs.
  • Norwegian Air Shuttle: Premium Economy (Long-haul only)
  • Oman Air: All Economy Cabins are Premium Class with 36 inch seat pitch
  • Pakistan International Airlines: "Economy Plus+"
  • Philippine Airlines: Premium Fiesta Class (only on A321s and newer A330s. On PAL Express flights using 2 class A320's, the business class seats are sold as Premium Economy)
  • Qantas: Premium Economy (Available on Boeing 747s, Boeing 787s and Airbus A380s)
  • SAS Scandinavian Airlines: SAS Plus (previously named Economy Extra, the features remain the same)
  • Scoot: Super/Stretch seats (Located in the 1st few rows and all bulkhead and exit rows in the economy cabin. Seats offer more width, 3-5" more pitch and on 787s adjustable headrests. These seats are distinguished be being a different color that the standard economy seats in light blue and Super/Stretch seats in dark blue.)
  • Singapore Airlines: Premium Economy class aboard all Airbus A350-900, Airbus A380-800 and refitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, serving to Europe and United States
  • Spicejet: Premium Economy (Located in the 1st 5 rows and exit rows of all 737s, featuring a 36" seat pitch, priority boarding and baggage handling and a larger baggage allowance, much like the SpiceMAX bundle)
  • Sunwing Airlines: Elite Plus: Offers at least 6" extra pitch, larger baggage allowance, and priority boarding, check-in and baggage handling.
  • TAM Airlines: Space Plus: Only on select 777s. Offers at least 36 inches of seat pitch and more recline.[18]
  • Thai Airways International: Premium Economy (only on Boeing 777-300ER routes to Copenhagen and Stockholm)[19]
  • Thomas Cook Airlines: Premium Class: Long haul only. Bigger seats with 35-36" of pitch, plus other services.
  • Ukraine International Airlines: Premium Economy (only on 767s. Offers 36-37" of pitch and a wider seat, plus priority ground service, better food options including a free glass of wine, and increased baggage allowance)
  • United Airlines: Economy Plus (Offers 5" of extra legroom, usually 36" total, and up to 2" of extra recline but no other benefits)
  • Vietnam Airlines: Economy Deluxe available on A350s and 787s on European, East Asia & Australia hauls
  • Virgin America: Main Cabin Select (not its own cabin - includes 12 bulkhead and emergency row seats on each plane)
  • Virgin Atlantic: Premium Economy. Virgin Atlantic also offers Extra Legroom seats in Economy that have 3-4" more legroom.
  • Virgin Australia: Premium Economy. An Economy Plus section will be added to 777s starting late 2015.
  • Vistara: Premium Economy (in Airbus A320-200 aircraft, seats have 3–6" longer pitch and recline further than in Economy class,Cold/Hot towel service,Two vegetarian and One Non-vegetarian meal option,Dedicated check in counters,Priority Boarding,Extra baggage Allowance and Priority baggage handling)
  • WestJet: Economy Plus: Located in the 1st 3 rows and exit rows, offering at least 36" of pitch, free food and drinks and priority boarding.[8]

Some airlines no longer offer Premium economy:

  • Olympic Air: If passengers were travelling aboard a Bombardier Dash 8, the seat next to them could remain empty upon their request. This service was branded as "Premium Economy Class" and cost more than normal Economy Class. Moreover, they could use premium check-in facilities, if available, and were offered a welcome drink on board. Aircraft other than the Dash 8 didn't offer Premium Economy, but Business Class, which was discontinued immediately after the airline's buyout. Premium Economy was discontinued after the airline buyout too, because of its similarities to the business class of the company who bought Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines.
  • South African Airways: SAA never had a designated Premium Economy cabin, but the upper decks of their 747-400 aircraft featured Economy Class seats with 35 inches of legroom, compared to 31 inches in the main cabin. However, these seats were very exclusive, because they were mainly reserved for Voyager Platinum and Star Alliance Gold passengers. The Boeing 747-400s were retired from SAA's fleet in 2010, and the Premium Economy product was retired as well.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://frequentlyflying.boardingarea.com/vintage-airline-seat-map-united-airlines-boeing-747-with-first-class-lounge-1979/
  2. ↑ http://frequentlyflying.boardingarea.com/vintage-airline-seat-map-united-airlines-dc-8-52/
  3. 1 2 3 Brett Snyder (February 14, 2011). "The long and short of 'premium economy'". CNN Travel. CNN. Retrieved 2011-02-14.
  4. ↑ premium economy from the Air New Zealand website
  5. ↑ "Main Cabin Extra − Seats − American Airlines".
  6. 1 2 The Main Cabin Extra stylization no longer appears on the above airline's website.
  7. ↑ "Book flights & Check in online - Virgin Atlantic".
  8. 1 2 "Premium Economy - Plus Fare". WestJet. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Air Canada Premium Economy Class". Air Canada. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Premium Economy". Iberia. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  11. ↑ "American Airlines Premium Economy - The Only North American Carrier to Offer a 4 Cabin Aircraft". upgrd.com.
  12. ↑ https://www.austrian.com/en/Info/Flightinformation/premiumeco?sc_lang=en&cc=AT
  13. ↑ https://www.brusselsairlines.com/en-se/practical-information/travel-info/on-board/travel-classes/longhaul/economy-privilege/default.aspx
  14. ↑ "Condor Premium Economy Class; Condor Air Lines". www.condor.com. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  15. ↑ "Delta Comfort+™ | Delta Air Lines". Delta.com. Retrieved 2013-06-28.
  16. ↑ "Hawaiian Airlines Introduces New Extra Comfort Economy Seating". Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  17. ↑ "JAL International Flights - Seats(JAL Premium Economy)".
  18. ↑ "LATAM Airlines USA".
  19. ↑ "Thai Airways - Service ombord". Thaiairways.dk. Retrieved 2013-06-28.
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