Premium economy

Premium economy is a travel class offered on some airlines, positioned in price, comfort, and amenities between economy class and business class. In 1991, EVA Air became the first airline company that have this kind of class in aircrafts. As of 2011, the term is not standardized among airlines, and varies significantly when comparing its use on domestic versus international flights or when comparing low-cost or regional airlines with other airliners.[1] Premium economy is sometimes limited to just a bit more leg room, but at its most comprehensive can feature multiple "creature comforts" that are only a notch below Business class.[1]

Contents

For example, in the United States domestic market, airlines such as United, Delta, and Jet Blue have an upgraded Economy class with 2–5 inches (5.1–13 cm) more leg room as the only difference; they market the class as "economy plus", "economy comfort", or "even more legroom" (respectively).[1] At the other extreme,[1] on Air New Zealand's international routes "premium economy" includes premium check-in, large customized seats (some for couples while others targeting solo travelers), seat pitch up to 41 inches (100 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 toothbrush.[2]

Service codes used by airlines vary—for example, Virgin Atlantic denotes premium economy as W.[3]

Examples of differences

Premium economy can encompass differences from economy class such as:

  • 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 (36–38" seat pitch), along with some form of leg rest,
  • enhanced in-flight entertainment
  • dedicated cabin crew
  • better seats (often with fewer seats per row, to improve shoulder/elbow room)
  • at-seat laptop power
  • in-seat telephone
  • a lounge
  • priority boarding
  • improved entertainment features
  • upgraded meals and drinks
  • increased luggage allowance

Some airlines may designate an entire economy class as premium, such as United p.s. on its transcontinental Boeing 757-200 premium service aircraft.

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:

Some airlines no longer offer Premium economy:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Brett Snyder (February 14, 2011). "The long and short of 'premium economy'". CNN Travel. CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/02/14/premium.economy.class/. Retrieved 2011-02-14. 
  2. ^ premium economy from the Air New Zealand website
  3. ^ Virgin Atlantic – Our cabins
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ https://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/economy_class/economy_comfort.jsp
  6. ^ JAL International Flights – Premium Economy Class (In-flight Service)
  7. ^ http://www.thaiairways.dk/cms.cfm?nPageNo=26276
  8. ^ "Singapore Airlines to Launch First All-Business Class Flights From USA to Asia" (Press release). Singapore Airlines. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-04-2008/0004767056&EDATE=#. 

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