Premium Economy, the intermediate step between Economy and Business class
Premium Economy is an intermediate cabin between Economy and Business class , more similar to the economy than to the business, aimed mainly at passengers traveling by business , but also and increasingly to leisure customers who are willing to pay more , sometimes much more and sometimes less, for having greater comfort than in tourist.
A not-so-new class that attracts passengers and increases the profitability of airlines' long-haul flights. At first glance, it is the perfect product.
A wider seat, a higher recline angle, footrests and a more sophisticated menu These are the main advantages offered by the Premium Economy class when compared to the tourist class. In addition, also allows check-in at business class counters, but not entry to VIP lounges.
These are, broadly speaking, the main differences that separate an economy class from an upgraded version of an economy class, since There is still ground to cover for this class to have more to do with the executive than with the economic one.
Premium Economy: yes or no?
But nevertheless, Premium works. From the communication department of Air France they confirm that "Premium Economy class represents the second most profitable product in the airline's long-distance activity" and among its short-term plans, the idea is to continue growing, "both in passengers and in supply," they qualify.
This is not only happening at Air France, since the miracle that this class represents for the industry has also occurred at most airlines in the world, especially in Europe, where practically all the airlines that operate long-haul flights already offer this product. The Americans have been among the last to take advantage of the pull, although today most of them also offer this product on their planes.
And if the theory turns out round, the reality is that in practice the Economy Premium does not disappoint. I had the opportunity to check it out on board one of the newcomers Airbus A350 of the airline Air France which operates the Paris to Toronto route. A new class in one of my favorite planes. Long live France!
Business or pleasure, the Premium Economy class has all kinds of customers
THE SEAT
Premium Economy on this aircraft model (and on practically 100% of the aircraft) is located just behind business class, and before economy starts, which on the A350 is between rows 10 and 12.
The seating configuration is 2-4-2, which for me is already one of the main advantages if you are one of the passengers who prefer a window or aisle. It could be that it was because the plane was very new or because of the lighting of the A350 itself (they have a type of light that varies depending on the phase of the flight), but the cabin seemed to me, at first glance, spacious and pleasant. Also helping are the colors of the new upholstery and the fact that the seats are larger, which throws an air of comfort into this little corner of the plane.
The new seat measures 48cm wide and although it is far from resembling that of an executive that converts into a bed, passengers in this class enjoy a seat pitch of 96cm (in Economy it is 79), enough to stretch your legs considerably thanks also to the footrest.
They are small differences that once settled in the seat are noticeable, especially because that feeling of claustrophobia that from time to time can be felt in some other tourist class disappears. Here you pay for space.
In addition, the airline distributes a small toiletry bag with basic amenities such as a mask or earplugs, as well as wet wipes after reaching cruising altitude. For break time, I liked it the offer of pillow and down, They have a greater thickness and quality than that of the economy class.
The entertainment offer is completed with a 13.3-inch HD touchscreen and in-flight entertainment system, Common to all classes, very varied, with even proposals for meditation and yoga. My feeling, broadly speaking and after spending a few hours on the plane, was that everything here has a little more care. And you can see it.
Increased tilt and space
THE FOOD (AND THE DRINK)
Ambassador of French gastronomy in heaven, On Air France flights, bread and pastries are served hot, like fresh from the oven. and it is that in fact they are, even if it is from the galley of the plane instead of a boulangerie in Paris.
The gastronomic standards of the French airline are very high, so my expectations were also high. I liked the detail of offering the printed menu where the gastronomic offer of the flight is specified, in this case divided into two services, lunch and breakfast, as well as the extensive menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are served free of charge.
It should be remembered that passengers of all classes have a particularly refined wine and champagne list thanks to the selection made by Paolo Basso , chosen best sommelier in the world 2013. As a house brand, Air France also includes free champagne even in economy class.
But back to the menu, the starter, which is served cold, is common for the entire Premium Economy class, in my case it was a delicious foie micuit served with jam and toast, and then You can choose between two hot mains, one of them vegetarian. I opted for the latter, a generous plate of vegetables au gratin with Camembert cheese that were, surprisingly, at their cooking point and if it weren't for the fact that the containers were made of plastic, black, yes, which looks a little more, it would have passed for a great restaurant dish without any problem.
On Air France flights, bread and pastries are served hot, like fresh from the oven
But the surprise, as usually happens, came at the end, when I even commented with my neighbor that the creaminess and flavor of the Chocolate brownie dessert were from another planet. So much so that I even wanted to repeat, but they were exhausted. I was not surprised. As a detail they brought me a plate with three pieces of cheese accompanied by some toast
Service Coffee and tea It starts after dessert and, although I think Air France's commitment to sustainability and the containers where hot drinks are served are made of recycled paper seem like a very good idea, I would have preferred a cup where I could enjoy the good coffee that they also serve on board.
And while the food was really good, the second service, breakfast, was a bit poor for a class like this , it was no longer a meal in itself, but a bag (very cute, yes, but a bag after all) with packaged cold items such as a drinkable yogurt, bread with jam and butter, and a juice. A pack that would not have surprised me in tourist class, but it did when traveling in Premium Economy.
Breakfast in Premium Economy
AND ALL THIS, AT WHAT PRICE?
To offer 40% more space than in economy class, As in the case of Air France, within the limited cabin that is an airplane, you pay, of course, but is it worth the extra cost of traveling in this class for the advantages it offers?
Greater checked baggage allowance, use of business counters, larger seats with greater reclining, gastronomic menu and better amenities on board are just some of the advantages that a ticket in this class entails, although sometimes the price to pay exceeds between 50% and 150% of a tourist ticket.
From the airline they always advise search for a ticket in Economy and Premium Economy, since many times the first option is so crowded that the tickets are expensive and the difference may be very little, or “sometimes you can even find a ticket in Premium Economy cheaper”, although this does not happen much.
Be that as it may, the figures are irrefutable, since the profitability of this class, either because it is always full or because they sell expensive, is very high. Thus, **there is a type of traveler who, for business or leisure, pays without question to fly better. It is the Premium Traveler. **
Pay more for Premium Economy class? It's up to you!