Premium Economy Class
Is it worth the extra price?
Cover photo
When we book air tickets, we often open any popular travel portal or visit a travel agent and quickly book the cheapest tickets available. Most of the time, we pay little attention to the “class of booking,” and by default, our tickets are booked in “Economy Class,” which has the lowest fare.
“Class of Booking” in airlines is similar to railways, where Sleeper/Second class is the cheapest, but there are higher classes like AC chair car, 3 tier AC, and 2 tier AC. In airlines, Economy Class is the lowest-priced, but higher classes like Business Class and First Class also exist.
Since I used the example of railways, economy class in airlines, like sleeper class in trains, isn’t the most comfortable way to travel long distances. Most people, especially on long-haul flights (like India to Europe or the USA), complain of stiff backs, leg pain, and body aches after sitting for hours.
To avoid discomfort, the obvious solution seems to be flying Business Class, where you get better, reclining seats that nearly convert into beds, along with the luxuries of a pampered passenger! Many would prefer flying Business Class, but the exorbitant prices hold them back.
So, what do we do? Continue flying Economy Class and endure the discomfort?
Wait – there’s a solution! PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS.
What is Premium Economy Class?
More space, more free baggage, more service—Premium Economy Class on long-haul flights offers a host of amenities, helping you enjoy a more relaxed journey to your destination.
This special class is now available on many airlines worldwide, including those flying from India, such as Air India, Vistara (even on some domestic routes), Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Air France, Qantas, Air New Zealand, and many more.
What are the features of this class?
Comfortable Seating
First of all, there is more leg space and a roomier cabin. This is because the seat pitch—the distance between two rows of seats—is larger, giving you more legroom. On average, legroom is almost 18-22% more than regular Economy Class seats.
The seats also recline more, allowing a more comfortable position, especially on long-haul or red-eye flights. You won’t need to worry about disturbing the person behind you when reclining since the space between seats is much larger.
In some airlines, a calf rest and footrest are also built into your seat, letting you recline and stretch out for the ultimate snooze position.
Airport Privileges
Many airlines offer fast track at airports, including priority boarding and baggage handling. So, let the other Economy Class passengers envy you as you board earlier and receive your baggage before theirs!
Some airlines also offer lounge access to Premium Economy Class passengers.
On-Board Enhanced Experiences
- A welcome drink with a warm greeting upon entering the cabin
- A special amenities kit with essentials like an eye mask and lip balm
- Specially curated dining menu served on fine bone china or high-end cutlery
- A varied selection of in-flight entertainment, displayed on bigger and better screens
- In-seat AC power outlets and USB ports
- Access to leading newspapers and magazines, along with the in-flight magazine
- A wide variety of beverages, including flavored teas/coffees, a selection of wines, champagne, and delectable snacks (offered on some airlines)
Why is Premium Economy not more popular?
The obvious question: is flying Premium Economy costly? Is it worth the extra price?
To clarify, below is a comparative study of Premium Economy vs. Business Class fares for specific sectors. Please note that the fares below are indicative and have been taken from the respective airline websites.
| Flights | Premium Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Air India (Non-Stop) Mumbai-San Francisco 26 Aug San Francisco-Mumbai 04 Sep |
₹2,36,000 | ₹4,40,124 |
| Vistara – Mumbai-Singapore 19 Aug Singapore-Mumbai 22 Aug |
₹36,047 | ₹93,100 |
| Singapore Air – Mumbai-Singapore 17 Jul Singapore-Mumbai 24 Jul |
₹35,555 | ₹91,521 |
| Lufthansa – Mumbai-Frankfurt 10 Jul Frankfurt-Mumbai 19 Jul |
₹1,04,700 | ₹1,90,314 |
| Virgin Atlantic – Mumbai-London 16 Jul London-Mumbai 23 Jul |
₹1,48,163 | ₹3,57,000 |
| Vistara – Mumbai-Delhi 23 Jul Delhi-Mumbai 25 Jul |
₹14,086 | ₹54,109 |
The table above highlights the stark differences in rates for various sectors between Premium Economy and Business Class.
The benefits of Premium Economy have been discussed above – it’s almost like a mini Business Class! You get many privileges usually reserved for Business Class passengers, a much more comfortable journey, and you reach your destination feeling fresh, avoiding the discomfort of Economy Class.
So, who should choose Premium Economy?
- If you are booking for senior citizen parents on a flight to the USA and need more comfort for them
- If you have a meeting the same morning you land and need a few hours of good sleep on the flight
- If you already have knee or back pain and can’t endure a cramped Economy Class seat for a long flight
- If you’re traveling with an infant and need more space to manage
The obvious choice is Premium Economy!
