Premium economy class, also known by brand names which vary by company, is a travel class offered on many airlines. It is usually positioned between standard economy class and business class in terms of price, comfort, and available amenities. In 1991, EVA Air was the first to introduce Evergreen Class (later renamed Elite Class, and then to Premium Economy Class), becoming the first airline to offer this class of service. It was widely acknowledged that the premium economy class has become a standard reflection of what the economy class was like several decades ago. In some countries, this class has emerged as a response from governments and companies requiring economy class for travel done by staff.
Characteristics
As of 2018, the term has not been standardised among airlines, and varies significantly between domestic and international flights, as well as between low-cost or regional airlines and other airlines. Premium economy is sometimes limited to expanded leg room, but its most comprehensive versions can feature services associated with business class travel.
Air New Zealand's and Qantas' Premium Economy include amenities such as prioritised check-in, large customised seats (some for couples, others targeting solo travellers), seat pitch up to with 50% more recline, premium meals, a self-service bar for drinks and snacks, a personal in-flight entertainment (IFE) centre with remote control, noise-cancelling headphones, 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 toothbrushes.
Service codes used by airlines vary, but W is the most common code.
Examples of differences
Differences between premium economy class and standard economy class may include (varies by airline and country):
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 ( seat pitch), along with some form of leg rest, improved in-flight entertainment features (larger screen, more options, included headphones, etc.) dedicated cabin crew smaller cabin size better seats (often fewer seats per row, allowing seats to be wider, and to increase shoulder/elbow room, further ahead which gives less engine noise and faster deplaning) at-seat laptop power at-seat telephone lounge access (for some airlines) priority check in/security check/boarding increased frequent flyer points exclusive amenity kits hot towel service welcome drinks (juice or champagne) upgraded meals and drinks increased luggage allowance better re-booking possibility
Some airlines may designate an entire economy class as premium, such as United Airlines on its transcontinental Boeing 757-200 premium service aircraft, or Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range (ULR) aircraft. In other airlines premium economy may be what used to be regular economy before more seats were added, or just the most attractive rows in the economy section. Premium economy tickets also normally earn more mileage in an airline's frequent flyer program, attracting a bonus between economy and business. These upgrades tend to be more common on wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777, and less common on narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737.
Configuration
Six-abreast Configuration (2-2-2 Configuration):Boeing 767
Seven-abreast Configuration (2-3-2 Configuration):Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350 XWB(applicable for Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and China Airlines use only), Airbus A380(Upper Deck), Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Eight-abreast Configuration (2-4-2 Configuration):Boeing 747, Boeing 777, Boeing 777X, Airbus A350 XWB(applicable for most of the other Aviation in the world), Airbus A380(Main Deck).
Airlines
Airlines offering this service include: