Long Haul Flights - Premium Economy
Discussion
When I traveled overseas a great deal with work, the Company always paid for business class flights that was a great benefit although on shorter flights such Avant Dhabi to Doha or Riyadh, I didn’t really think it was worth it.
When it comes to my own travel, I always go economy and actually prefer the airlines such as Ryan Air that fix the seats, so you don’t end up with someone’s head in your space when they inevitably put the seat back.
Last year I flew from Heathrow to Bangkok with Thai Air (excellent airline) and was lucky enough to have front row seats behind the bulkhead on both legs. I advised the person behind me (much to their relief on a 12 hour flight) that I would not be putting my seat back.
My son is travelling to Japan and has booked premium economy. Is this really much of a benefit as I assume the issue of people putting their backrest down remains. Anyone with any experiences as to whether premium economy is worth the extra would be interesting.
When it comes to my own travel, I always go economy and actually prefer the airlines such as Ryan Air that fix the seats, so you don’t end up with someone’s head in your space when they inevitably put the seat back.
Last year I flew from Heathrow to Bangkok with Thai Air (excellent airline) and was lucky enough to have front row seats behind the bulkhead on both legs. I advised the person behind me (much to their relief on a 12 hour flight) that I would not be putting my seat back.
My son is travelling to Japan and has booked premium economy. Is this really much of a benefit as I assume the issue of people putting their backrest down remains. Anyone with any experiences as to whether premium economy is worth the extra would be interesting.
Yes I do think premium economy is worth it, primarily for the extra space and comfort (which to be honest is all it usually includes).
Random example of a flight i took recently:
Air China Gatwick to Beijing (one way):
Eco: £800
Prem Eco: £1600
Business: £6000
1 person in business
4 people in premium economy
Economy full
Random example of a flight i took recently:
Air China Gatwick to Beijing (one way):
Eco: £800
Prem Eco: £1600
Business: £6000
1 person in business
4 people in premium economy
Economy full
Rob 131 Sport said:
When I traveled overseas a great deal with work, the Company always paid for business class flights that was a great benefit although on shorter flights such Avant Dhabi to Doha or Riyadh, I didn t really think it was worth it.
When it comes to my own travel, I always go economy and actually prefer the airlines such as Ryan Air that fix the seats, so you don t end up with someone s head in your space when they inevitably put the seat back.
Last year I flew from Heathrow to Bangkok with Thai Air (excellent airline) and was lucky enough to have front row seats behind the bulkhead on both legs. I advised the person behind me (much to their relief on a 12 hour flight) that I would not be putting my seat back.
My son is travelling to Japan and has booked premium economy. Is this really much of a benefit as I assume the issue of people putting their backrest down remains. Anyone with any experiences as to whether premium economy is worth the extra would be interesting.
I travelled to Brazil from Scotland earlier this year with work, flying EDI–CDG–GIG and vice versa. On the outbound CDG–GIG flight, I travelled in Economy, and on the return journey I upgraded to Premium Economy, which I paid for out of my own pocket.When it comes to my own travel, I always go economy and actually prefer the airlines such as Ryan Air that fix the seats, so you don t end up with someone s head in your space when they inevitably put the seat back.
Last year I flew from Heathrow to Bangkok with Thai Air (excellent airline) and was lucky enough to have front row seats behind the bulkhead on both legs. I advised the person behind me (much to their relief on a 12 hour flight) that I would not be putting my seat back.
My son is travelling to Japan and has booked premium economy. Is this really much of a benefit as I assume the issue of people putting their backrest down remains. Anyone with any experiences as to whether premium economy is worth the extra would be interesting.
It was the best £200 (or thereabouts) I’ve spent in a long time. More legroom, wider seats, better food, a blanket and pillow, and a much quieter cabin. Sure people still put their seats down but the extra legroom means its not a great hardship. I was able to get in and out of my window seat with no issues when both seats in front were reclined.
I never normally sleep on flights, but I managed about nine hours of sleep on the 11-hour flight. It made such a difference.
We flew to NY a couple of years ago - BA premium on the way out, business back.
I was much more impressed with premium than I expected to be. It was very good, and - if it wasn't an overnight flight - I'd probably choose it over business for a long haul flight (if the price difference was significant).
I was much more impressed with premium than I expected to be. It was very good, and - if it wasn't an overnight flight - I'd probably choose it over business for a long haul flight (if the price difference was significant).
PE, in my mind, is the sweetspot for upgrading. It's not outrageously expensive like BC, but the upgrade is "usually" well worth it. More width, MUCH more leg room, MUCH more recline (enough to sleep slightly awkwardly), better service. (often same food but with metal cutlery).
As for recline, well, I've never been bothered with that, you just recline too, and you have teh same space. If you want to sit bolt upright the entire flight then I get the recline-hate, but as said, recline isn't an issue if you recline too. Never bothered me, and amuses me how much hate there is in America for it (with people 3D printing anti-recline devices).
PE usually 2x Eco
BC usually 3 to 3.5x Eco.
We fly BC anything over 12 hours, PE for 6-10 hours, and Eco for short haul.
As for recline, well, I've never been bothered with that, you just recline too, and you have teh same space. If you want to sit bolt upright the entire flight then I get the recline-hate, but as said, recline isn't an issue if you recline too. Never bothered me, and amuses me how much hate there is in America for it (with people 3D printing anti-recline devices).
PE usually 2x Eco
BC usually 3 to 3.5x Eco.
We fly BC anything over 12 hours, PE for 6-10 hours, and Eco for short haul.
One downside to PE (especially on more tourist focused routes) is that many of the occupants are, shall we say, 'well fed'.
I once was in the PE section of a British Airways jet, where the food is the left overs from the business class cabin, and managed to get the last portion of curry, this large lady across the aisle was giving me evil stares for the rest of the flight.
I once was in the PE section of a British Airways jet, where the food is the left overs from the business class cabin, and managed to get the last portion of curry, this large lady across the aisle was giving me evil stares for the rest of the flight.
Truckosaurus said:
One downside to PE (especially on more tourist focused routes) is that many of the occupants are, shall we say, 'well fed'.
I once was in the PE section of a British Airways jet, where the food is the left overs from the business class cabin, and managed to get the last portion of curry, this large lady across the aisle was giving me evil stares for the rest of the flight.
Haha :-) - I'll be honest, I've not seen lots of fatties in PE - assume they've spent their dough, on .... dough.I once was in the PE section of a British Airways jet, where the food is the left overs from the business class cabin, and managed to get the last portion of curry, this large lady across the aisle was giving me evil stares for the rest of the flight.
Only "poor" experience wes Vietnam air - the service was attricious - what service there was. BA PE has been consistently excellent (GB to Delhi, and GB to Mauritius). Eva Air PE to BKK was superb too (though overpriced).
You will get a few over excited passengers as it'll be their 1st ever big spend on flights , but, happiness is nice to watch.
HJG said:
Yes I do think premium economy is worth it, primarily for the extra space and comfort (which to be honest is all it usually includes).
Random example of a flight i took recently:
Air China Gatwick to Beijing (one way):
Eco: £800
Prem Eco: £1600
Business: £6000
1 person in business
4 people in premium economy
Economy full
Or Turkmenistan Airlines Gatwick - Beijing £1500 Return in Business Class. Random example of a flight i took recently:
Air China Gatwick to Beijing (one way):
Eco: £800
Prem Eco: £1600
Business: £6000
1 person in business
4 people in premium economy
Economy full
HJG said:
Yes I do think premium economy is worth it, primarily for the extra space and comfort (which to be honest is all it usually includes).
Random example of a flight i took recently:
Air China Gatwick to Beijing (one way):
Eco: £800
Prem Eco: £1600
Business: £6000
1 person in business
4 people in premium economy
Economy full
Done that flight,then onto Manila a few times,always been ok in economy, usually bit cheaper than quoted pice here Random example of a flight i took recently:
Air China Gatwick to Beijing (one way):
Eco: £800
Prem Eco: £1600
Business: £6000
1 person in business
4 people in premium economy
Economy full
For me it depends on 3 things:
1. The airline - the premium economy offering varies a lot
2. The length of the flight and the times that it's going - flying back from New York to London overnight when you want to sleep every little helps. During the day economy is fine.
3. The price - sometimes it's less than twice the price of economy, sometimes it's 3 or 4 times.
I worked for an employer that paid for business but gave you the option to go PE and split the difference on the cost saving.
1. The airline - the premium economy offering varies a lot
2. The length of the flight and the times that it's going - flying back from New York to London overnight when you want to sleep every little helps. During the day economy is fine.
3. The price - sometimes it's less than twice the price of economy, sometimes it's 3 or 4 times.
I worked for an employer that paid for business but gave you the option to go PE and split the difference on the cost saving.
SunsetZed said:
3. The price - sometimes it's less than twice the price of economy, sometimes it's 3 or 4 times.
This seems to veer wildly. If it's more than double I definitely wouldn't bother, and I probably wouldn't bother if it was double. And I'd only probably consider it on flights that were heading towards 12 hours. I walked through the premium economy cabin on Emirates flights to NZ. The fresh ones out of Dubai are very nice indeed.
The Gatwick to Dubai cabin was knackered and I'd have been rather narked if I'd paid x thousand more for that.
Have flown to Japan (KIX, via CDG) on Air France Premium Economy, and it was pretty good - the seat was in a sort of 'pod' where each seat reclines within the space of its own pod, so no-one invades your own space. It was reasonably comfortable, service good, food excellent and well worth it imo.
Have flown BA long haul PE a few times and it was... let's just say not good.
So I guess it varies quite a bit by airline?
Have flown BA long haul PE a few times and it was... let's just say not good.
So I guess it varies quite a bit by airline?
It depends. We often fly BA premium economy but we're on the A380 again in November. Upstairs the config is 2-4-2 and the rear economy cabin is pretty good especially if you can grab the front two exit row seats on either side.
We also use Qatar quite a bit but annoyingly they don't have PE. They do however lease Cathay Pacific planes which have a PE section but utilise it as economy (comfort plus) so you get the extra legroom, larger seat etc
We do business when the avios points total / rewards vouchers work out. Additionally the daughter works for BA so get the odd upgrade that way.
We also use Qatar quite a bit but annoyingly they don't have PE. They do however lease Cathay Pacific planes which have a PE section but utilise it as economy (comfort plus) so you get the extra legroom, larger seat etc
We do business when the avios points total / rewards vouchers work out. Additionally the daughter works for BA so get the odd upgrade that way.
Very interesting responses and thank you. When Mrs 131 Sport and I go on holiday, we tend to stay in fairly top end hotels and not having much excess money (thank you Labour) we need to travel in economy.
We would like to go to Vietnam next year, but it’s the reclining seat being reclined back in economy that really puts me off. I don’t suppose there are any long haul airlines with fixed seats. In the alternative is there anyway of guaranteeing that you get the front row seats.
We would like to go to Vietnam next year, but it’s the reclining seat being reclined back in economy that really puts me off. I don’t suppose there are any long haul airlines with fixed seats. In the alternative is there anyway of guaranteeing that you get the front row seats.
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