On an airplane, between economy and business class, there is an alternative, and it is becoming more and more popular. Still far from the post-pandemic reactivation of the business trip, and therefore of the type of public that occupies the most seats in Business on an airplane, Premium Economy is the class that is taking center stage.
There are two main reasons today: the fact that the leisure traveler prefers to pay more to fly more comfortably and have more space, and on the other, the fact that the value proposition of the Economy Premium is key for companies that want to send their workers on a trip and continue betting on a differential class to the traditional tourist for employees.
EXPANDING THE COMFORT ZONE
Extra legroom is just the beginning of a long list of services that airlines offer now in the middle cabin, sometimes great value for money, sometimes not so much. It is, at first glance, the perfect product, although it seems that this differentiation has not yet caught on among the passenger. The problem? A matter of expectations. It is a mistake to compare Premium Economy with Business class, since it is much more similar to a tourist class to which some of the services, with little or a lot of added value, of an executive class are added. These are some of the best.
On-board connectivity.
IBERIA
“This is a class designed for customers who usually fly in Economy class, but who are willing to pay a little more to travel with more comfort and additional services on board and on land”, they say from Iberia. That is why this class is present on all the airline's long-haul flights, that is, in its 38 planes. Depending on the aircraft model, there is a different number of seats of this class. In the A350, of which Iberia has 12 units, there are 24 Premium tourist seats (31 Business and 293 tourist). And in the A330-300, 21 seats (29 Business and 242 tourist).
But what differential value does this class offer versus the tourist class? To begin with, the most desired thing inside an airplane, space. Iberia has configured its economy Premium with 20% more separation between rows of seats giving the passenger 94 centimeters of comfort on board. The seat is also wider, reaching 48 cm, and it reclines more, 40% more to be exact. The screens on board this class are 12 inches and the airline provides noise-cancelling headphones.
The service on board is exclusive for this class, and to start the experience in another way, passengers are welcomed on board with a courtesy drink. The menu is different from the rest of the classes and, among other amenities, also include linen on board (blanket and cushion) and the personalized grooming kit. On the mainland, services go through a higher baggage allowance, priority boarding/disembarking of the flight and, at the Madrid airport, separate check-in counters.
Iberia Premium Economy.
EMIRATES
Located on its new A380, the new Emirates Premium Economy was introduced in January and is quite possibly the most desired since then. This is confirmed by Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates: “The Emirates A380 is already one of the most sought after travel experiences in the skies, And now we've made it even better. While others reduced Emirates is working hard to restore the products and services that we have had to suspend or adjust due to pandemic precautions, and introduce new offerings and enhancements.” And this one certainly is.
The new Premium Economy cabin offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. All of them lean 101cm and have a width of almost 50. The wow factor of this class is also very visual, since all seats are upholstered in beautiful cream stain-resistant leather with stitching details and a wood panel finish similar to Business Class. For added comfort, Each seat features six-position adjustable headrests, legrests and footrests. To this is added, in addition, that each seat has a 13.3-inch screen, one of the largest in its class, in which to enjoy one of the best entertainment on board that can be found in the skies, ICE, whose offer is common in all classes of the plane.
Emirates Premium Economy.
AIR FRANCE
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.
The Premium Economy on the French flag carrier (and on practically 100% of the planes of other airlines) is located just behind business class, and before the tourist begins. Seating configuration is 2-4-2 inside a cabin that is already visually spacious and pleasant.
The Air France Premium economy seat on the A350-900 is 48 cm wide and, despite is far from resembling that of an executive that converts into a bed, passengers in this class enjoy a seat inclination of 96 cm (in Economy it is 79), enough to stretch your legs considerably thanks also to the footrest. Also, the airline distributes a small toiletry bag with basic amenities such as an eye mask or earplugs for the ears.
On Air France there is no welcome drink before takeoff, but there is offer wet wipes after reaching cruising altitude. For rest time, its pillow and down have a greater thickness and quality than those of the economy class.
The entertainment offer is completed with a 13.3-inch HD touch screen and a entertainment system on board, common to all classes, very varied, with even proposals for meditation and yoga.
Air France Premium Economy.
LEVEL
The low-cost aviation revolution in long-haul flights has gone through the total disappearance of business class on airline planes who operate them. If at the time it was Norwegian, today it is Level that takes over to offer only two classes on board its planes, operated by an Airbus A330-200.
Aboard Level's Premium Economy there are just 21 spacious seats, 93cm to be exact, with increased recline angle and a multi-position adjustable headrest and footrest. The sensation is of total privacy, since they only occupy rows 1, 2 and 3 of the plane in a 2-4-2 setup. The screen is 12 inches and each seat has, as in the rest of the airlines, with AC charging and USB.
Level's Premium Economy offers passengers their own lingerie kit with blanket and pillow as well as a toiletry bag with amenities of all kinds inside. The price of the ticket in this class includes the gastronomic service, a three-course menu and also a lighter option before arrival at the destination. Surprisingly, since it is a low cost airline, the airline also offers passengers in this class its ‘welcome drink’ service, with a courtesy drink –does not include alcohol– before takeoff.
And while flying cheap means settling for less or being willing to pay for all the extras, the value proposition of airlines like Level also includes the hassle-free option: flying in its Premium Economy the passenger has everything included, no surprises.
And all this, at what price? Increased checked baggage allowance, use of business counters, larger seats with greater recline, gastronomic menu and best amenities on board are just some of the benefits of a ticket in this class, although sometimes the price to pay exceeds between 50% and 150% of a tourist ticket. Like everything, there are exceptions. Here it is advisable to always look for tourist at the same time as Premium Economy, since many times the first option is so full that the tickets are expensive and the difference may be very little.