It’s no secret that air travel isn’t the most comfortable mode of transit, especially when you fly Economy. While most Business- and First-class cabins still offer a spacious taste of luxury, a seat can cost three to five times more than one in Economy — squarely out of the budget for most folks.
Enter Premium Economy, the near-perfect happy medium.
What Is Premium Economy?
Premium Economy — also sometimes called Premium Select or simply Premium — is a mid-point offering available on most international airlines, including Delta, United, and American.
While it does not include the lay-flat beds or coursed-out meal service of Business or First, a Premium Economy ticket offers a notable step up from Economy: Expect reclining seats with footrests along with elevated food and beverage service, pre-boarding privileges, and space at the front of the cabin.
When is Premium Economy worth the splurge?
When the Price Is Right
The next time you book a flight, compare the price difference among Economy, Premium Economy, and Business class. In a recent search for roundtrip flights between Paris (CDG) and New York (JFK), Delta quoted $832 for Economy; $1,492 for Premium Economy; and $2,360 for Business.
While the jump from $831 to $1,492 is significant, if you’re considering an upgrade, a Premium Economy ticket offers some added comfort for 79% more. Compare that to the nearly 300% price increase for Business Class.
A solid hack can be found using miles, which consistently offers more bang for your buck. For the same route between Paris and New York, you can upgrade to Premium Economy for as low as 37,500 miles (depending on when you fly).
When factoring in the average airline mile’s value at approximately one cent, the cost of the upgrade can be as low as $375 — cutting the original $660 bump from Economy in half.
If you have status, keep an eye out for upgrade deals offered by the airline.
On Budget-Friendly Airlines
Although budget-friendly airlines often get a bad rap, don’t rule them out for international flights to Europe and the Caribbean.
Take French bee: The budget airline offers direct flights between Paris Orly and a handful of major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, for as low as $448.80 per person one way in Premium Economy.
When Premium Economy is booked as a roundtrip, the price is essentially the same as a roundtrip Economy fare on most major airlines, and it offers the equivalent upgrades: priority boarding, checked baggage included, elevated meal service with Champagne, and reclinable seats with footrests.
Taking a Red-eye or Traveling 6+ Hours
Most passengers are able to withstand the discomfort of Economy seating for a few hours. However, if you’re traveling more than six hours — especially on an overnight flight where sleep is desirable — then upgrading to a Premium Economy seat can make a major difference.
Although the splurge may seem unnecessary at booking, consider how you’ll feel upon arriving after a red-eye. If you’re someone who has trouble adjusting to new time zones or who doesn’t handle sleep deprivation well, a sleepless flight can cost you a day or two of your trip. If springing for Premium Economy will improve your chances of sleeping on an overnight flight, you’re more likely to hit the ground running.
If You Want a Better Meal
In-flight meals tend to leave a lot to be desired, but Premium Economy’s offerings generally fall somewhere between Economy and Business. Most airlines include a fresh appetizer, protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates, along with a small serving of cheese and dessert. Best of all, it also comes with unlimited beverages, including wine, Champagne, and basic spirits with mixers.
In some cases, Premium Economy meals offer a local touch, according to Daphné Tournadre McGinnis, French bee’s In-Flight Customer Experience Director: “Our meals spotlight our destinations, such as French, American, Reunionese, or Tahitian.
If You’re a Sensitive Traveler
Beyond the comfort of reclinable seats and footrests, most Premium Economy seats are built individually (contrary to the attached seat style of Economy) — meaning you won’t feel your neighbor’s every move for the duration of the flight. Additionally, most Premium Economy cabins come with remote controls for the in-flight entertainment systems, so your behind-the-seat neighbor won’t be pushing the back of your seat to control the volume on their movie selections.
Bonus points? Book the bulkhead Premium Economy seat if possible, especially if you’re a window-seat lover. These allow enough legroom to get up and move about the cabin without having to bother your neighbor.