Premium economy class


Premium economy class, also known by brand names which vary by company, is a travel class offered on many airlines. It is usually positioned between standard economy class and business class in terms of price, comfort, and available amenities. On December 12, 1992, EVA Air introduced the Economy Deluxe Class on the inaugural flight of its first trans-Pacific route, becoming the first airline to offer this class of service. In some countries, this class has emerged as a response from governments and companies requiring economy class for travel done by staff, while still getting some benefits like airport priority. Premium Economy generally offers a level of comfort similar to the standard Economy Class of several decades ago. In the 1970s, for example, many airlines offered Economy Class seat pitches of approximately 34–36 inches—United Airlines reportedly provided around 36 inches—comparable to the seat pitch offered by many carriers’ Premium Economy cabins today.

Characteristics

As of 2018, the term has not been standardised among airlines, and varies significantly between domestic and international flights, as well as between low-cost or regional airlines and other airlines. Premium economy is sometimes limited to expanded leg room, but its most comprehensive versions can feature services associated with business class travel.
Air New Zealand's and Qantas's Premium Economy include amenities such as prioritised check-in, large customised seats, seat pitch up to with 50% more recline, premium meals, a self-service bar for drinks and snacks, a personal in-flight entertainment centre with remote control, noise-cancelling headphones, 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.
Service codes used by airlines vary, but W is the most common code.

Examples of differences

Differences between premium economy class and standard economy class may include :
  • 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, along with some form of leg rest,
  • improved in-flight entertainment features
  • dedicated cabin crew
  • smaller cabin size
  • better seats, improved legroom and increased seat pitch
  • at-seat laptop power
  • at-seat telephone
  • lounge access
  • priority check in/security check/boarding
  • increased frequent flyer points
  • exclusive amenity kits
  • hot towel service
  • welcome drinks
  • upgraded meals and drinks
  • increased luggage allowance
  • better re-booking possibility
Some airlines may designate an entire economy class as premium, such as United Airlines on its transcontinental Boeing 757-200 premium service aircraft, or Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range 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. These upgrades tend to be more common on wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777, and less common on narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737.

Configuration

Regular Configurations in Premium Economy

Airbus A350 XWB Variants Configurations

  • The Airbus A350 XWB features a 221-inch cabin, allowing for versatile seating configurations tailored by airlines for comfort and capacity, the aircraft utilizes various arrangements, including the 2-4-2, 2-3-2, and 1-4-1 mentioned, primarily in premium economy or specialized long-range layouts.
  • *Six-abreast Configuration
  • **Applicable for Singapore Airlines A350-900ULR Ultra-Long Range use only, this configuration is only applicable of rows 40 to 42
  • *Seven-abreast Configuration
  • **Applicaple for the following Airline
  • ***China Airlines
  • ***Emirates
  • ***Lufthansa
  • ***Swiss International Air Lines
  • ***Air Caraïbes
  • ***French Bee
  • *Eight-abreast Configuration
  • **Applicaple for the following Airline
  • ***Cathay Pacific Airways
  • ***China Airlines
  • ***Japan Airlines
  • ***Singapore Airlines
  • ***STARLUX Airlines
  • ***The most of the other aviations in the world

Airlines

Airlines offering this service include:
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 them, Aegean Airlines.
  • South African Airways: SAA never had a designated Premium Economy cabin, but the upper decks of their Boeing 747-400 aircraft featured Economy Class seats with of legroom, compared to 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. One version of their Airbus A350 offers an Economy Plus section with of extra seat pitch.