If you, like me, prefer to maximise your travel budget for on-ground experiences rather than flight fares, but are on the taller side and do like a bit of extra leg room (plus an excuse to splurge just a little bit), premium economy can be a happy medium between a standard economy fare and business or first class.
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And the perks of premium economy travel doesn’t start and end in the sky. Think more generous baggage allowances (at least compared to economy), speedier check-in and not having to wait as long to board.
Now it seems airlines are betting that more passengers are willing to pay slightly more for this middle ground, with a new wave of offerings set to make the premium economy cabin more private, spacious and, perhaps, more luxurious.
From privacy screens and sculpted headrests to sleep pods and cozy slippers, here’s what’s on the horizon for premium economy class passengers.
Emirates’ privacy screens
This month, Emirates unveiled what it says is the “world’s first electric premium economy seat with full-height privacy screen”.
The Dubai-based airline's latest offering will be rolled out on its Airbus A350 aircraft, with a 2-3-2 configuration across 28 seats.
Passengers will be able to raise and lower the divider using the seat controls. They can also adjust their seating position with the control unit.
And for those who like to keep their phone charged in the sky, Emirates is also introducing wireless charging facilities to its premium economy cabins.
American adds more premium economy seats
Also in September, American Airlines launched its first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER into commercial service, featuring 44 premium economy seats and being deployed on some of the carrier’s long-haul routes.
The redesigned seats come with sculpted headrests, adjusted calf and foot rests, wireless charging and both USB-C and AC power.
American, which has recently announced a number of new European flights for next summer, also rolled out 30 extra leg room seats as part of its Main Cabin Extra offering. Here, passengers can watch hundreds of titles as part of its inflight entertainment and enjoy free high-speed wifi if they are an AAdvantage member.
Lufthansa’s culinary upgrades and cozy slippers
As part of its “Future Onboard Experiences” initiative, stylised as FOX, Lufthansa introduced revamped in-flight offerings in May, coinciding with the 100th anniversary since it was founded.
Lufthansa’s upgrade to the premium economy cabin included revamped dining options, such as a business class-level appetizer offering and three hot main meals to choose from, with a side of toasty bread. The meal is rounded off with pastries or a slice of cake.
For extra comfort, the premium economy cabin also provides passengers with “cozy” slippers.
TAP Air Portugal introduces premium economy cabin
In June, TAP Air Portugal launched its premium economy offering on select fleets.
Branded “Economy Prime”, the cabin class is only available on the carrier’s long-haul flights. There are 12 seats in total, with four seats per row, however, passengers will always have the seat next to them left empty.
When it comes to in-flight dining, there’s a choice of two hot dishes, followed by a snack served before reaching the destination.
Economy Prime travellers are also given an amenities kit and can enjoy a selection of films and series on the carrier’s 13-inch HD screens.
On ground, passengers benefit from premium check-in, fast track, premium boarding and priority baggage, as well as an allowance of one 10kg cabin bag and two 23kg checked bags.
Divided into two fare options, Prime and Top Prime, the latter adds flexibility, giving passengers the option to change or refund their ticket, at no added cost.
Wizz Air's unique spin on premium economy
Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air launched “Wizz Class” earlier this year. The premium add-on gives passengers a seat in the first row, with a choice of window or aisle, while the middle seat is kept empty for extra space.
Other perks include extra leg room seats, priority boarding, two items of cabin baggage, plus a snack and soft drink onboard.
The service is available for purchase on selected flights to and from Budapest, Bucharest Otopeni, London Luton, London Gatwick, Rome Fiumicino, and Warsaw.
Air New Zealand’s world-first sleep pods
Air New Zealand is set to give passengers a chance to lie down mid-air with its Skynest sleep pods, which it says would be a world first.
Skynest will make its debut on the carrier’s ultra long-haul flights between New York and Auckland starting in late December, where up to six premium (and standard) economy travellers at a time can swap their seat for a bed.
Passengers can book a four-hour session to “recharge in comfort” in their own private pod, which comes with a privacy curtain, ambient lighting, USB charging outlets and personal stowage.
The sessions are priced from NZ$495 (€250.45), which includes an appropriately named “Nestcessities” kit containing earplugs and an eye mask, because if you’re willing to pay extra to sleep at 35,000 feet above sea level, you may as well make yourself as comfortable as possible.