It isn't just the seats and overall space that's more, well, premium than an economy ticket. Our opinions are our own. Sign up for our free newsletter and get the latest news, insights, and money-saving tips. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. The flight, BA178, was a morning flight departing New York at 7:55 am and was scheduled to arrive at London Heathrow Airport at 7:45 pm. Tall passengers rejoice: British Airways premium economy gives you around 7 inches of additional legroom measuring 38 inches of pitch vs. just 31 inches of pitch in economy. The Zim Privacy seat (officially known as the Zim PC-02) is afixed shell seat with an integrated privacy shield, as well as adjustable armrests, a cocktail table, single piece meal table, personal reading light and extra-large IFE screen. This was at least updated to the latest touch screen High Definition TV. Have a look at the related articles at the bottom of this one for more on the history of premium economy, and the reasons there are so many different varieties. However, Avios upgrade prices are set based on the Avios award price difference between the two cabins. British Airways' World Traveller Plus is the airline's premium economy cabin . For this flight, while business class was full, Premium Economy only had nine people. Learn more: How to choose which airline miles to earn from your flights, How (and why) to upgrade your British Airways flight using Avios, How to choose which airline miles to earn from your flights. The Boeing 747-400 flight had a 4 class configuration. Discover more about my reasoning below. When flying through London-Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5, first class travelers can enjoy the Arrivals lounge upon landing. Flight review: Air Canada B787-8 premium economy, Flight review: Air Canada B777-300ER premium economy. Premium Economy usually has just four or five rows. Much like the world of premium economy, many airlines offer an economy plus-type ticket, but call it something else. There are also USB sockets and pods for storing waterbottles. Premium economy is currently available on selected Emirates flights to and from Heathrow, Paris CDG and Sydney, and will be progressively rolled out to destinations including New York JFK, Auckland, Melbourne, San Francisco, Singapore and Christchurch by March 2023. Wider, comfier leather seats and a separate cabin are all plus points. Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. British Airways do not offer a company travel loyalty programme in the US but our partner American Airlines does. Keep in mind that youre still responsible for any changes in fare price, but you will not incur change fees. Heres a look at what you will experience when flying first class on British Airways: Access to a private, spacious suite with a fully flat bed. Flight review: Air France B777-200ER Premium Voyageur (premium economy). British Airways Premium Economy Vs Economy Image 8 of 15, Worth The Upgrade? At Heathrow and Gatwick you get priority boarding via the group system (Group 3), but the group system is not used at all airports. Comparatively, some British Airways economy fares are "hand baggage only" and charge up to $175 each way for two checked bags. Legroom can vary significantly in economy class from one airline to another, and from one aircraft to another. The soft skills are definitely lagging compared to Middle Eastern and Asian carriers. A significant perk is having lounge access at Tokyo Haneda and Narita, and London Heathrow. Premium economy, particularly on an international level, is an entirely separate airline cabin with physically different seats in front of the economy cabin and generally has a curtain behind it, just like the gap between business and first class. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. (Paying double the price of an economy ticket for premium economy, especially when flying abroad, is fairly standard.). Economy vs. Non-Silver and Gold customers cannot select seats in advance if they book Premium Economy. Each British Airways premium economy seat has a large and bright 12-inch touchscreen with seemingly endless entertainment options. You can book British Airways premium class seats by paying full price at the time of booking. Premium Economy: Lounges For many passengers, the main reason to book premium economy instead of economy is the larger seats. Seating classifications that come before first and business class run the gamut, from basic economy to premium economy. The Dutch flag carrier unveiled its long-awaited premium economy seating (branded Premium Comfort) in May 2022, and the first flight featuring the new cabin was between Amsterdam Schiphol and New York JFK in September 2022. Have questions? Earplugs are available on request. Work or relax in style with lounge access, dedicated check-in and fully flat beds on long-haul. British Airways. Lie-flat seats in your own "suite" could be part of your flying experience in first or business class. Food and drink in British Airways premium economy, Amenities and other perks of British Airways premium economy, British Airways premium economy, recapped, British Airways premium economy amenity kit, pillow and blanket, Other perks of British Airways premium economy. Assigning Editor | Travel, SEO, Travel Loyalty Programs. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. All of this is a substantial upgrade from what British Airways offered prior to a recent cabin refresh. Each travel class offers a different price point and travel experience. There is no priority boarding or check-in but select lounges can be used for a fee. We soon landed at Heathrow on time, and I was off to my hotel. Conclusion. Passengers in Economy have limited space while those in Premium have approximately 5 inches (12.5 centimetres) more leg room. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. For flights to the USA, Virgin Atlantic's Premium Economy is worth the investment. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The recline is crucial to get a nap and is much better in Premium Economy than in the Economy. There is not a dedicated British Airways Premium Economy check-in, so you have to check-in with all the Economy passengers. 5. Although let's look at this in a different way. If youre considering flying with British Airways, why not fly in comfort? Premium Economy: includes carry-on and personal item, one checked bag and advanced seat selection with early boarding, priority check-in and security, wide seats with . British Airways offers standard service in the UK and worldwide, while American Airlines offers standard service in the US and worldwide and a far greater number of flights. Noise-cancelling headphones and an amenity kit with socks, an eye mask, ear plugs and toothbrush/paste are provided. Outside of. There were no perks of hand lotions, designer hand wash or any other amenities provided. A seat in premium economy directly between the main and business class. British Airways Premium Economy is a very average product, but it is still worth paying the extra if you can afford it. How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? Premium Economy: Food & Drink. He published over 2,000 articles on The Points Guy before becoming a freelance writer. They recline by nine inches and have an expanded seat pitch of 40 inches. The left armrest also contained a small cup holder, but my right armrest was where the food tray was hidden. We have already briefly compared British Airways Economy vs. Benefits on the A330s (the only aircraft which has premium economy) include a separate cabin section with between 17 seats which recline to 120 degrees (9 inches) and offer up to 40 per cent more legroom (compared to economy); baggage allowance of up to two items weighing 23 kg, dedicated check-in desks and priority boarding; a night kit with blanket and pillow, and a 10.6 inch TV screen on the carriers A330s. British Airways' first class is the highest level of ticket available on their flights. British Airways' book with confidence commitment for free changes or the ability to take a voucher will continue to apply to all Basic, Standard/Plus, Fully Flexible, Select and Select Pro bookings. Premium Economy to find out whether it is worth paying for the upgrade. Standard economy seats come with a seat pitch of 31 inches. So, if premium economy is the love child of business class and economy, where does that put economy plus? Long story short, I finally stumbled across a great deal on their brand new A350 (BA017), and I jumped on it as fast as I could. British Airways World Traveller Plus passengers also get better amenities and additional perks like priority boarding. On my right side of the seat was a USB power plug and the TV remote control. While you're still sitting in the coach cabin with an economy plus ticket, you do have a better seat there's more legroom, and on some airlines, the seats are actually more plush, wider, or newer than the rest of coach. Some routes and tickets come with an even greater allowance, and extra bags can be added for a fee. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. Complimentary drinks and spirits are also offered in-flight. If your employer's travel policy doesn't allow Business Class travel, Premium Economy can be a great choice. In my experience, flight attendants proactively provide doubles of alcoholic beverages. If you book in advance, Premium Economy is generally 85% more expensive than your standard Economy fare. World Traveller Plus Business Work or relax in style with lounge access, dedicated check-in and fully flat beds on long-haul. It's the amenities, too premium economy provides different meal offerings than the main class cabin, amenity kits, and priority boarding. Passengers also get a 13.3 inch screen, larger table with AC and USB ports, and an upgraded culinary experience including a snack of ice cream. Basic is our lowest fare offered on selected routes. The carriers premium economy seat is also set to be installed on some of the carriers B777X aircraft, although the aircraft will now not join Emirates fleet until 2025 at the earliest. Premium economy will be like business class in the 90s - better seats with more pitch, width and recline; at least for most airlines (some sell standard economy with extra legroom as "premium". We've not only included what the price differential looks like, but also which airlines offer these seating classifications and when it's worth the price. We offer free upgrades, free breakfasts, and free perks at hotels, including Four Seasons, Aman, Belmond, Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, InterContinental, and more. But, the question remains: Are British Airways premium economy, business or first classes worth it? Euro Traveller (Short-Haul Economy Class) When flying Euro Traveller, you will have the choice of 3 fare types. British Airways Premium Economy Vs Economy Image 6 of 15, Worth The Upgrade? The Premium Economy seats for this flight were the old school ones I mean, like the type of seat that was probably the first batch of Premium Economy seats introduced by British Airways back in the 2000s. Relaxing Environment. Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. However, that was not the most shocking thing. Designer Ray Chen has incorporated Chinese aesthetic touches throughout the aircraft, with the premium economy cabin featuring walls lined with a wood texturing effect. Larger tray tables make working on a laptop easier, while 10.6-inch screens (12.1-inch on the A350) come with noise-cancelling headphones. Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. But, even with the grotty cabin, the food, drinks service, and crucially the seat recline and space were better in Premium Economy vs. Economy. A big bonus traveling on British Airways in Premium Economy is getting Club World standard meals (with fewer choices) served on proper crockery with a real napkin. That puts British . You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. Premium Economy Fly premium economy with World Traveller Plus and treat yourself to a wider seat, longer legroom and priority boarding - all in a separate cabin with an extra checked bag. There is quite a big difference between economy and premium economy, primarily in terms of space. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. It is in the process of upgrading the seat withGerman manufacturer Zim confirmed as the new supplier for its B747-8 jumbo aircraft. On this count, Virgin Atlantic offers a more compelling product than British Airways. The cash upgrade price generally depends on the route and availability. Premium economy passengers also benefit from priority check-in and boarding, a larger luggage allowance, an upgraded meal service, an amenity kit and noise-cancelling headphones. Clicking the header a second time will reverse the sort. Skyscanner also reports that premium economy offers, on average, five to seven inches more legroom than economy, typically with "wider seats and more space to recline.". British Airways currently has four travel class options: economy, premium economy, business and first class. EVA Air premium economy is extremely good! If you. The seats are by no means cutting edge or anything special, though they do feature 50% larger entertainment screens, and six-way adjustable leg, foot, and headrests. On United, it's called economy plus, and you can even get a subscription. Luckily, the TV screen was not an old 2000 7 inch standard definition TV. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Three Class Layout 1, Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Three Class Layout 2, Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class Layout 1, Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class Layout 2, Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class Layout 3, Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class Layout 4, Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Four Class Layout 1, Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Four Class Layout 2, Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 1, Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 2, Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 3, Adjustable headrests, legrests, or lumbar support, Compared to booking standard Economy for flights over the. What is the difference between Premium Economy and Premium Economy Flex? As a digital nomad for nearly five years, JT proves through experience that credit card rewards can drastically reduce the cost of travel. The same flight to New York from London Heathrow in World Traveller Plus with British Airways will earn you 6,916 BA Avios Points Very, very close. That said, you do still get the extras allocated to Premium Economy whichever BA plane you fly. Club Suites are available on select services in New York-JFK, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bangalore and Toronto flights. There is a single leaf meal tray for work and dining, individual reading lights, PC power and USB-A ports. An amenity kit including ear plugs, socks and other necessities is also provided. I flew BA Premium Economy World Traveller Plus from Cape Town to London return recently and was lucky enough to get the new generation seats on both legs. Compared with economy, British Airways premium economy gives you more space in all directions more seat width, more legroom and more recline. Due to COVID-19, British Airways, has made temporary changes to their normal terms to offer more flexibility, You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. Upholstered in navy padded fabric, the newer seat has a footrest, a headrest with wings and a 10.5-inch touchscreen that can be controlled by a personal handset. Lufthansa Group carrier Swiss has fitted its fleet of 12 B777-300ERs with the Zim Privacy seats. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free. Since Loyalty Points are based on mileage earnings, you'll also earn quadruple the elite status credits. Amenity kits are also handed out. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Flight review: Norse Atlantic Airways B787-9 Premium. At boarding, World Traveller Plus seats are typically stocked with a small pillow, blanket and a plastic-wrapped package including noise-canceling headphones and an amenity kit. If your bag exceeds the standard baggage allowance weighing 51 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kg) then you will be subject to a fee of $100. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Premium Economy: Baggage You get two hold suitcases when traveling in Premium Economy, which is a big bonus. More than just offering extra legroom, these seats also tend to be wider than in economy. Premium economy travelers get to enjoy more comfortable seats as well as a variety of other perks, like: Complimentary bar service along with signature drinks. The extra recline also enables me to sleep for a short period, a crucial reason to choose to fly Premium Economy if you are flying overnight. Qantas has a new premium economy seat on its B787s. A three-course meal will be served on new chinaware designed for Finnair by Finnish designer Harri Koskinen and Iittala, with a light meal service just before landing. You can read many of our previous articles on this website. A typical premium economy fare includes around 5-7 inches of extra legroom, wider seats, and more space to recline. Get Surfshark VPN at http://surfshark.deals/winginit - Enter promo code WINGINIT for 83% off and THREE MONTHS for free!Welcome to Heathrow - and watch me as . The British Airways premium economy meal service is actually quite good after it was upgraded some time ago. The new premium economy seating is by Haeco, and Finnair is the launch customer of its Vector Premium seat, customised by Finnair and again, designed in partnership with Tangerine. The pitch is seven inches greater than in economy, while thewidth is an inch more. It is an upgrade on the Zim Magic seat,with which Lufthansa launched its premium economy offering back in 2014. Access to a plane with a total of only 32 seats. Access to a private lounge and deluxe spa treatments. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. A seat in premium economy directly between the main and business class cabins is measurably more expensive than an economy ticket often double the price. The seat also features a larger IFE screen compared to economy, as well AC power and a USB port. on select Club World flights. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. For overnight flights, being stuffed in a sardine-tin, with little space to move and next-to-no recline, means that sleep is difficult. Maya Kachroo-Levine is the luxury and experiences editor at, Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, spirits, wine, food, and culture. One of the originators of premium economy, Virgins product is now called Premium. Singapore Airlines. Flex was about $763 higher. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. 4. A flight to New York from London Heathrow in Premium Economy with Virgin Atlantic in September 2021 will earn you 6,914 Virgin Flying Club Points. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Change fees are waived for flights booked from March 3, 2020, onward that are to be completed by Aug. 31, 2021. Business class has gotten more luxurious, leading some airlines to get rid of long-haul first class. How British Airways premium economy compares to regular economy Flight review: China Airlines B777-300ER premium economy, Delta has Premium Select on its A350, A330 and B767 aircraft. If youve decided you'd like to fly in a premium class on your next British Airways flight, you have a few options for completing your booking cash, Avios (points) or a combination of the two. British Airways World Traveller Plus (BA Premium Economy) is worth looking at on most long haul routes from the UK; it is a significant step up on their standard World Traveller (Economy) Class. On a recent trip from London to Toronto, I flew in both economy and premium economy on British Airways to see whether the upgrade was worth it. I didnt think much of this flight before boarding. Plus, passengers get better food and drink options along with extra perks like priority boarding and extra baggage allowance. Natasha Gabrielle is a freelance writer and traveler. Do not sell or share my personal information. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced. Extra baggage allowance: British Airways premium economy typically allows two free checked bags at no additional cost. I had some water as my pre-departure welcome drink. World Traveller Plus is British Airways' premium economy cabin, positioned between economy (World Traveller) and business (Club World). Flight review: British Airways A380 World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Flight review: British Airways B787 World Traveller Plus, Flight review: British Airways B777-200ER World Traveller Plus, Flight review: British Airways B777-300ER World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy). Take your pick from the hundreds of latest films, television programmes, albums, audio books and games. Offerings include aisle access from every seat, a door for added privacy, a 79-inch fully flat bed, personal outlets for charging your electronics, high-resolution screens and extra storage space. The IFE is through a 13-inch touchscreen. It has taken many years, but finally premium economy is offered by the majority of long haul international airlines. Premium economy seats have higher price points. JALs Sky Premium fixed-shell seat has 42 inches of pitch, a legrest, a headrest with wings, and a privacy divider at head height. Its product offers USB ports, plug sockets, mood lighting and 11-inch LCD touchscreens. Our opinions are our own. Despite the change, passengers still get premium check-in, priority baggage and boarding, and onboard amenity kits, meals and drinks, including wine from New Zealand. The British Airways premium economy amenity kit includes socks, an eye mask, lip balm, a pen, a toothbrush and toothpaste. BAs World Traveller Plus cabin comes in two forms, with a more modern product found on the B787, A380 and some B777s and an older one on the rest of the long-haul fleet. Configured 2-4-2, SIAs new premium economy seat has slots at the base of the central armrest for water bottles, cup holders above, calf and footrests that fold out, two USB sockets per person, and 13.3-inch HD monitors. Shorter flights under three hours might only cost an extra $30 over the standard economy fare each way. Seat Type: Standard Recliner. British Airways currently has four travel class options: economy, premium economy, business and first class. Premium Economy Seat Dimensions Uniteds Premium Plus offers passengers noise-reducing headphones, a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and pillow, and an amenity kit. An adjustable headrest, lumbar support and recline, Soft cushion and blanket, with new herringbone design, Flight socks, eye mask, toothbrush and toothpaste on request, Priority boarding for families with infants and young children in pushchairs, to help get you settled onboard sooner, Children's TV, films, games and a parental lock for other channels, Special children's meals which we'll serve first so you can enjoy your own meal at your own pace. British Airways Premium Economy allows passengers to check baggage for up to two pieces, whereas Economy Standard passengers can check only one bag per flight. If you. British Airways Premium Economy Vs Economy Image 5 of 15, Worth The Upgrade? British Airways passengers can upgrade to premium economy using cash or Avios either in advance or at the airport. Have your baggage collected from your doorstep, securely transported to the airport, and checked-in for your flight, allowing you to travel to the airport luggage-free and head straight to security when you get there. Of all the premium economy experiences I've had, it's the least distinguishable from regular economy: a slightly better seat, a nicer pillow, a glass for your wine rather than plastic, and a tiny amenity kit. Flying economy can certainly get you to your destination, but not without its inconveniences. Premium Economy passengers can take advantage of priority check-in and amenities like pillows, blankets and toiletries on the plane. Soon, we took off and thus began my 6 hour 50-minute flight in the oldest Premium Economy seats I have ever taken. There is not a dedicated British Airways Premium Economy check-in, but there does tend to be out of the UK airports so this is an advantage over Economy. This means there are two seats by the windows and either three or four seats in the middle column of seats. Economy vs. As I had to arrive in London for a meeting the next morning, this flight matched my schedule the best. Throughout the cabin, you'll find a large, fixed armrest between each seat. Premium Economy: 1992: British Airways: World Traveller Plus: 2000: SAS: Economy Extra / SAS Plus: 2001: Condor: Premium Economy Class: 2008: Air France: Premium Voyageur / Premium Economy: 2009: . Three toilets have been dedicated to the new cabin. Comparatively, you earn as few as 25% of flight miles when booking economy fares. 5. The extra cost can be as low as just 10% more, so remember to ask about Premium Economy if you have a last minute Economy booking. Simply click a column header (i.e. On the left side of my seat were the seat controls to adjust each component of the seat and a button to pop out the TV screen. Use this form to log in to your account or to create an account for the British Airways executive club. You get two hold suitcases when traveling in Premium Economy, which is a big bonus. Below the in-flight entertainment screen, British Airways installed a storage tray. The cabin is shabby. Premium . The new seat offers up to 17cm more legroom than standard economy and up to 20cm recline, as well as movable leg and footrests, in-seat power and a 13-inch IFE screen. Flying on a British Airways Boeing 777-200 from London to New York. From food and drink to amenities and service . ), a great blanket, and a small amenity pouch. Instead, flight attendants note the meal options as they pass through the cabin. The extra elbow room in the Premium Economy seats enables me to work more comfortably on my laptop.