Can’t afford first or business class but want something more comfortable than economy? That’s why ‘premium economy’ was invented.
In the 1990s airlines realised they were missing out on an ‘inbetween’ market for those with a little more to spend but not a fortune. In 1991, the Taiwanese airline EVA Air led the way by introducing Evergreen Class. Virgin was quick to follow, calling its offering Mid Class, before the name changed to Premium Economy in 1994. BA introduced its version, World Traveller Plus, in 2000.
Premium economy is always the most popular seller, say aviation experts such as Tamsin Cocks, editor of Business Traveller magazine, and the reason is simple: travellers get a sense of exclusivity, plus significantly more legroom, while airlines earn more ‘revenue per seat’.
But you don’t always have to fork out massively more for premium economy than standard, as our table reveals. Our analysis of fares this summer shows canny travellers can save as much as 63 per cent on premium economy cabins.
Checking fares on comparison sites can deliver great savings. But the most important consideration? Patience. By taking time to dig around, ideally planning trips well in advance, bargains are to be had, especially if you’re flexible on dates. Not only can you expect bigger, more comfortable seats, but also superior food and drink, dedicated check-ins, speedier boarding and baggage reclaim, plus – very occasionally – lounge access.
We’ve talked to leading aviation experts to seek their advice for bagging the best premium economy fares – as well as their favourite airlines. Here’s our guide…
Monitor comparison sites
The luxurious premium economy seats on Emirates planes
Nicky Kelvin of The Points Guy says the airline’s chic seats and delicious food make it the best option for holidaymakers wanting to book premium economy
The top three premium economy offerings for Rhys Jones of Head For Points are Emirates, Norse Atlantic Airways and Virgin
Check prices on Google Flights and Skyscanner to establish the lowest fares. They’re usually available 10 to 12 months in advance. For example, London-Dubai non-stop premium economy returns on BA are from £896 next Easter compared to as much as £2,592 at short notice. Or Manchester-New York is from £799 non-stop return in premium economy next Easter on Virgin Atlantic, while it can be £2,280 at the last minute.
Know the price range
For a transatlantic flight to New York, you might expect to pay between £100 and £200 above the economy fare per flight in premium economy – so add £200 to £400 for a return journey. Meanwhile, for a flight to Australia, the round trip will be around £2,000 more than economy. These ballpark figures give an idea of what to expect on other routes, says John Sheffer, head of airline product at Trailfinders.
Consider a connection
If you don’t mind a connection via Europe, cheaper fares are to be had –without too much extra journey time. When we checked, a direct BA London to Cape Town flight was £1,895 in premium economy – taking 11h 35m – while a KLM flight via a connection in Amsterdam was £1,098, taking 13h 55m. Click the ‘cheapest fare’ tab on Google Flights to find these.
Be flexible
Don’t be rigid on travel dates. Flexibility can deliver substantial savings, says Nicky Kelvin, editor at large at The Points Guy, a frequent flyer website.
Check allowances
You will almost certainly have more checked-in baggage allowance, says Gilbert Ott, aviation expert at God Save The Points, another frequent flyer site. For example, in premium economy on British Airways transatlantic flights to New York you’re allowed two 23kg checked-in bags, compared to a single 23kg bag in economy.
Better seat sizes
Economy cabins have a ‘seat pitch’ (space between seats) of 30 to 32 inches, while in premium economy it’s 37 to 42 inches – depending on the airline. Meanwhile, seat widths are from 17 to 18 inches in economy and 18 to 20 inches in premium economy. Take a look at seatmaps.com.
Getting ‘bumped up’
Sometimes airlines overbook premium economy cabins as they’re trying to encourage economy class passengers to spend more by upgrading. When this happens, those who originally paid for premium economy may have an opportunity of being ‘bumped up’ to business class.
Advice for couples
The earlier you book, the more likely you are to bag two seats together by the window. This is especially worth bearing in mind on airlines such as Air Canada that have quite small premium economy cabins, where couples may not even be able to sit together if booking at the last moment, says John Sheffer of Trailfinders.
Which airline is best?
Nicky Kelvin of The Points Guy says Emirates has the best premium economy cabin (‘chic seats, delicious food’), followed by Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Meanwhile, Tamsin Cocks of Business Traveller magazine has Air France as number one (‘comfortable and good champagne’), then Virgin and Cathay Pacific. Meanwhile, the top three for Rhys Jones of Head For Points are Emirates, Norse Atlantic Airways and Virgin.
