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. In 1991, EVA Air was the first to introduce Evergreen Class (later renamed Elite Class, and then to Premium Economy Class), becoming the first airline to offer this class of service. It was widely acknowledged that the premium economy class has become a standard reflection of what the economy class was like several decades ago.[1][2] In some countries, this class has emerged as a response from governments and companies requiring economy class for travel done by staff.
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.[3] Premium economy is sometimes limited to expanded leg room, but its most comprehensive versions can feature services associated with business class travel.[3]
Air New Zealand's and Qantas' Premium Economy include amenities such as prioritised check-in, large customised seats (some for couples, others targeting solo travellers), seat pitch up to 41 in (100 cm) with 50% more recline, premium meals, a self-service bar for drinks and snacks, a personal in-flight entertainment (IFE) 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.[4]
Service codes used by airlines vary, but W is the most common code.
better seats (often fewer seats per row, allowing seats to be wider, and to increase shoulder/elbow room, further ahead which gives less engine noise and faster deplaning)
at-seat laptop power
at-seat telephone
lounge access (for some airlines)
priority check in/security check/boarding
increased frequent flyer points
exclusive amenity kits
hot towel service
welcome drinks (juice or champagne)
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 (ULR) 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.[citation needed] 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.
Seven-abreast Configuration (2-3-2 Configuration):Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350 XWB(applicable for Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and China Airlines use only), Airbus A380(Upper Deck), Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Eight-abreast Configuration (2-4-2 Configuration):Boeing 747, Boeing 777, Boeing 777X, Airbus A350 XWB(applicable for most of the other Aviation in the world), Airbus A380(Main Deck).
Aerolíneas Argentinas: Club Economy: Only on Boeing 737s and Embraer E190s. Replacing business class on all domestic flights and international flights under four hours. Offers similar benefits to business class, including lounge access.
Aeroméxico: Aeroméxico Plus, now standard across the entire Boeing fleet. Offers 4 in (10 cm) extra legroom, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) more recline and adjustable leather headrests. Includes priority check-in, baggage handling, boarding and deplaning, as well as extra mileage for frequent flyers.
Air Caraïbes: La Classe Caraïbes (long haul only. Offers 36 in (91 cm) of pitch, more recline, a wider seat, a larger personal television (PTV) and more)
Air China: Premium Economy Class (only on Airbus A330-300s and Boeing 777-200s. Wider seat with at least 36 in (91 cm) of pitch, nearly double recline and a PTV, plus more amenities. The new Boeing 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 drink ware), a separate cabin featuring fixed shell seats with a 38 in (97 cm) pitch and extra wide armrests.[8]
Air New Zealand: Premium Economy (all routes operated by wide-body aircraft, offers 41 in (100 cm) pitch and more recline. Includes premium meals and check-in, two checked bags and two carry bags.)
Alaska Airlines: Premium Class: Offers 4 in (10 cm) more pitch, priority boarding, premium snack, and premium beverage.
All Nippon Airways: Premium Economy class offers wider seats, more legroom and a footrest. Perks includes dedicated check-in counter, priority baggage handling, and lounge access.[9]
Allegiant Air: Legroom Plus: Offers up to 4 in (10 cm) more pitch. Giant Seats: Only on Boeing 757s. Bigger seats with at least 6 in (15 cm) more pitch, similar to Spirit's Big Front Seats.
American Airlines: Main Cabin Extra[10][11] (offers a slightly wider seat only on the Boeing 777-300ER, 2 in (5.1 cm) more recline and 4–6 in (10–15 cm) more legroom but no other benefits). Premium Economy available on the entire long-haul 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 United States carrier to offer a four-cabin aircraft.[12]
British Airways: World Traveller Plus is BA's premium economy class and it offers more spacious seats in a separate cabin, free alcoholic beverages and better food options.[15]
Condor: Premium Economy offers more recline and 5.9 in (15 cm) 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.[20]
Edelweiss Air: Economy Max: Long-haul only. Offers 5.9 in (15 cm) more pitch and 2.0 in (5 cm) more recline (37 in (94 cm) of pitch and 7.9 in (20 cm) of recline in lieu of 31 in (79 cm) of pitch and 5.9 in (15 cm) of recline in Economy), as well as free alcohol and an amenity kit.
El Al: Premium Class / Premium Economy on Boeing 747s, 777s, 787s and 767s. Offers 4 in (10 cm) more pitch (36 in (91 cm) up from the usual 32 in (81 cm)), 33 per cent more recline, a footrest, priority ground service, a comfort kit, a bottle holder and more.
Finnair: Premium Economy class is available on select flights to Asia and North America on Airbus A350 and A330 aircraft. Offers 38 in (97 cm) pitch, comfier headrests, an amenity kit, better headphones and upgraded dining.[24]
Frontier Airlines: Stretch (first four rows and exit rows of Airbus offering a minimum of 36 in (91 cm) pitch.)
Hawaiian Airlines: Extra Comfort (Airbus A330-200 and A321neo aircraft, comes with priority boarding, full 36 in (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).[25]
Iberia: Premium Economy on Airbus A340 and A330: Larger seat width / pitch, larger IFE screen, amenity kit, and priority check in/boarding.[7]
Japan Airlines: Premium Economy class offers a more spacious seat with footrest, upgraded dining and beverage options, and an amenity kit.[26]
JetBlue: Even More Space (offers a minimum seat pitch of 38 in (97 cm), as well as both priority boarding and screening)
KLM: Premium Comfort is offered on all Boeing 787 Dreamliners and select Boeing 777s, featuring wider seats with a movable leg- and footrest, 7.8 inches recline (20 cm) and a 38 in (97 cm) seat pitch.
LATAM Brasil: Space Plus: Only on select Boeing 777s. Offers at least 36 in (91 cm) of seat pitch and more recline.[27]
LATAM Chile: Premium Economy: Only on Airbus A320 series planes. Provides more legroom, width, and recline, plus the middle seat is blocked out to allow more space.
Philippine Airlines: Premium Economy (only on Airbus A321s, newer Airbus A330s and A350s. On PAL Express flights using two class Airbus A320s, the business class seats are sold as Premium Economy)
Qantas: Premium Economy is available on Boeing 787s and Airbus A380s aircraft on selected routes.[29]
Scandinavian Airlines: SAS Plus (previously named Economy Extra, the features remain the same). Wider seats in 2-3-2 configurations and upgraded dining are available on their Asia and North America routes.[30]
Scoot: Super / Stretch seats (located in the first few rows and all bulkhead and exit rows in the economy cabin. Seats offer more width, 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) more pitch and on Boeing 787s, adjustable headrests. These seats are distinguished be being a different colour that the standard economy seats in light blue and Super / Stretch seats in dark blue.)
SpiceJet: Premium economy (located in the first five rows and exit rows of all Boeing 737s, featuring a 36 in (91 cm) 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 in (15 cm) extra pitch, larger baggage allowance, and priority boarding, check-in and baggage handling.
Ukraine International Airlines: Premium Economy (only on Boeing 767s. Offers 36–37 in (91–94 cm) of pitch and a wider seat, plus priority ground service, better food options including a free glass of wine, and increased baggage allowance)
Virgin Atlantic: Premium Economy class offers roomier seats, dedicated check-in counter, priority boarding, upgraded dining, among other perks. Available on international flights on A330, A350, and B-787-9 aircraft.[36]
Virgin Australia: Economy X. Economy X offers a more premium experience at the airport and onboard, within the affordability of economy class. Economy X includes extra legroom, Preferred overhead locker space (Virgin Australia operated flights only), Priority boarding and priority screening (where available).
Vistara: Premium Economy (in Airbus A320-200) seats have 3–6 in (7.6–15.2 cm) longer pitch and recline further than in economy class, cold / hot towel service, welcome drinks, specially curated menu with two vegetarian and one non-vegetarian meal option, dedicated check in counters, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance and priority baggage handling, extra Club Vistara points. Vistara will also have Premium Economy class on its upcoming Airbus A321neos and Boeing 787-9s which are expected to join the Vistara fleet by 2020.
WestJet: Premium Class: On WestJet's 787, Premium Class is in a separate, dedicated cabin. Larger seats with greater recline are offered in a 2-3-2 configuration. Complimentary hot meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included. A self-serve social area is also available. On international flights, an amenity kit is provided. On WestJet's 737, Premium Class is separated from economy with sky dividers and curtain. Larger seats with greater recline are offered in a 2-2 configuration. Complimentary plated hot meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included.[37]
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 35 in (89 cm) of legroom, compared to 31 in (79 cm) 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 5 in (13 cm) of extra seat pitch.
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