Economy seating seems to be getting less and less comfortable as airlines look for ways to add more seats to planes, pigeonholing travelers into spending more for comfort. Today, many economy cabins feel cramped and uncomfortable for flights more than an hour or so, and the argument over whether an upgrade is worth it comes into play.
On most flights, there is a huge jump in price point from economy to business class, sometimes a few hundred dollars in economy to a few thousand in business. However, as a middle-tier, premium economy seating offers unique benefits that may serve as a happy medium.
The Perks of Going Premium
Premium economy is becoming more common on planes, especially those flying longer than a few hours. The middle product rests just between economy and business – both figuratively and literally – and often lands in the middle price-wise.
Seating in premium economy is not as spacious as business class. There are usually no lie-flat seats or pod-like areas, and there’s no pre-flight cocktail.
However, it’s typically often more comfortable than the economy cabin with its wider seats and standard increased legroom. There’s usually greater recline and seat pitch – the space between the rows – as well, so passengers tend to feel less cramped. Other features include a softer, more comfortable seat, outlets for charging devices, and larger TV screens.
On most airlines, including United, American Airlines, and Delta, the premium economy cabin has a different menu with more options than in economy.
For example, on a 10-hour long-haul flight, economy passengers might have a choice of a chicken or veggie entree while premium economy passengers have chicken, veggie, or beef to choose from.
The presentation is often different, too. While economy passengers receive dinner served in plastic with plastic utensils, those in premium economy might dine on actual plates with a cloth napkin and silverware.
The Cost of Going Premium
The cost, however, can be a deterrent to some travelers. Depending on the airline, route, and time of year, premium economy seats can exceed $3,000 per person compared to less than $1,000 in the economy cabin.
Although the space, food, and drink options are more plentiful, and overall comfort might be attractive, the cost difference isn’t worth it for some people.
The flight time is also important. On a four-hour flight, the average traveler might not be willing to spend $3,000 for premium economy. The same passenger, however, could be more tempted to opt for the upgrade to avoid the jet lag of a long-haul flight.
Another factor to consider is the cost of premium economy compared to business class. If an economy seat is $800, a premium economy is $3,000, and a lie-flat seat with a door in business class is $5,000, some people might find more value in the benefits of choosing the business class seat.
Deciding whether the premium economy is worth it is completely subjective, but the biggest factors to consider before booking are the price, personal budget, personal needs, and the length of the flight itself.