Is it worth paying to upgrade your next flight from Economy to Premium Economy? A seat that converts into a fully flat bed measuring 6 feet. Baggage heavier than 70 pounds (32 kg) will not be accepted by British Airways. Depending on the aircraft type, the British Airways premium economy cabin is either arranged 2-3-2 or 2-4-2. An adjustable headrest, lumbar support and recline, Soft cushion and blanket, with new herringbone design, Flight socks, eye mask, toothbrush and toothpaste on request, Priority boarding for families with infants and young children in pushchairs, to help get you settled onboard sooner, Children's TV, films, games and a parental lock for other channels, Special children's meals which we'll serve first so you can enjoy your own meal at your own pace. Simply click a column header (i.e. There are also USB sockets and pods for storing waterbottles. There is not a dedicated British Airways Premium Economy check-in, but there does tend to be out of the UK airports so this is an advantage over Economy. Interview: Iberias CCO on new premium economy seat. Priority boarding: British Airways World Traveller Plus passengers board no later than Group 3 boarding. Lufthansa Group carrier Swiss has fitted its fleet of 12 B777-300ERs with the Zim Privacy seats. A fruity welcome drink is offered on board. Excess baggage fees for British Airways depend on the route. Access to lounges and luxury spa treatments. AustriansB777-200 aircraft hold a total of 24 premium economy seats configured 2-4-2, while B767-300ERs contain 30 seats (expanded from 18) configured 2-2-2. Choose your perfect way to fly. Larger tray tables make working on a laptop easier, while 10.6-inch screens (12.1-inch on the A350) come with noise-cancelling headphones. I'd even rank it as high as QANTAS 787-9 premium economy. Earplugs are available on request. A big bonus of traveling on BA in Premium Economy is that you get a decent three-course meal with a bread roll served on proper china crockery with a real napkin. Each travel class offers a different price point and travel experience. Premium Economy: 1992: British Airways: World Traveller Plus: 2000: SAS: Economy Extra / SAS Plus: 2001: Condor: Premium Economy Class: 2008: Air France: Premium Voyageur / Premium Economy: 2009: . Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Three Class Layout 1, Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Three Class Layout 2, Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class Layout 1, Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class Layout 2, Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class Layout 3, Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class Layout 4, Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Four Class Layout 1, Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Four Class Layout 2, Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 1, Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 2, Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 3, Adjustable headrests, legrests, or lumbar support, Compared to booking standard Economy for flights over the. Better than in Economy although hardly a dealbreaker. Premium economy passengers are served a business class selection of drinks including Champagne, though meals are the same as in economy. The seat has 10.5-inch touchscreens and broad central armrests with a flat section for drinks. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. Premium Economy class also allows travellers to check in two bags of 23 kg per person and provides a choice of three in-flight main courses. Fly premium economy with World Traveller Plus and treat yourself to a wider seat, longer legroom and priority boarding - all in a separate cabin with an extra checked bag. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. British Airways Premium Economy is a very average product, but it is still worth paying the extra if you can afford it. Sign up and well send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money. Pre-clearance through U.S. immigration on flights to New York. Smartly upholstered in charcoal grey with touches of burnt caramel, the seat reclines into a Z shape with a hammock to support your feet, while a thick pillow slots on to the fixed-wing headrest to cushion you as you sleep. It makes the cabin area more spacious with a much quieter atmosphere. A seat in premium economy directly between the main and business class. When travelling with the whole family, youll find lots of thoughtful touches to make life easier, and help keep everyone happy and entertained. If an airline hasn't filled their premium seats ahead of time, they may be offering a discounted upgrade at check-in. My seat, 33K, was the window seat on the right side of the plane. Passengers can take advantage of spacious black leather seats, noise-reducing headphones, USB ports and amenity kits. Ein Aufpreis von 10-15% gegenber der Standard Economy Class ist fr das Extra an Komfort durchaus angemessen Fr Privatreisende lohnt es sich . Comparatively, you earn as few as 25% of flight miles when booking economy fares. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The extra cost can be as low as just 10% more, so remember to ask about Premium Economy if you have a last minute Economy booking. If you need to cancel or reschedule your British Airways flight, you have options, regardless of ticket type. British Airways Premium Economy Vs Economy Image 4 of 15, Worth The Upgrade? Seat width, pitch, legroom, and comfort are comparable on both airlines. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. I chose the fare on a recent trip to Europe and only paid $284 for the roundtrip ticket . Check-in and boarding: Premium check-in and boarding line.. Food: The best of the three, with glassware and proper plates: a small salad to start, a decent-sized main course that sits squarely between the Economy and Business Class level of presentation . I flew BA Premium Economy World Traveller Plus from Cape Town to London return recently and was lucky enough to get the new generation seats on both legs. The new seat offers up to 17cm more legroom than standard economy and up to 20cm recline, as well as movable leg and footrests, in-seat power and a 13-inch IFE screen. Assigning Editor | Travel, SEO, Travel Loyalty Programs. Youll be presented with options to use some of your Avios points to reduce the cash price of your premium class flight. For meal choices, menus aren't provided to passengers. There is in-seat charging, a wide fold out dining table, and a side cocktail table. The carrier plans to fit the seat to its B787-10, B787-9, B777-200 and B777-300ER aircraft, with between 21 and 28 seats in the cabin depending on the aircraft type. EVA Air premium economy is extremely good! While the upgrade can cost a lot more on some routes, it's definitely worth checking what's available next time you book a flight I know I will be. British Airways British Airways flyers earn Avios based on the fare class booked and the distance of the flight, with the earning rate ranging between 25% and 300% of flight miles. The cash upgrade price generally depends on the route and availability. That's a score for fans of cheap flights. These are necessary as they fly some of the longest routes in the world. Premium Economy: Entertainment. British Airways continues to roll out Club Suite offerings on additional routes. On its new A330 neo aircraft, there will be 46 premium economy seats in burgundy with a 38 pitch and a 13.3 touchscreen with Bluetooth audio. If the price is your biggest factor when deciding on which class to fly in, you should probably choose to fly Economy. Champagne is included, and meals are light and healthy with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? Priority boarding via the exclusive First lounge. Yes, British Airways premium economy earns more British Airways Avios or miles if you credit flights to another mileage program. Have your baggage collected from your doorstep, securely transported to the airport, and checked-in for your flight, allowing you to travel to the airport luggage-free and head straight to security when you get there. As previously reported, Lufthansa had originally planned to launch the new seat on its delayed B777-9 aircraft. Premium Select travellers qualify for Sky Priority security, boarding and bag delivery. The seat is available on all its long haul, widebody aircraft A330. British Airways passengers can upgrade to premium economy using cash or Avios either in advance or at the airport. World Traveller offers a personal flat screen and headphones for everyone. At the standard Economy level, both airlines offer a very similar service. The seat was a large stuffy semi-recliner, measuring 18.5 inches across, with a seat pitch of 38 inches. British Airways: 3 - Virgin Atlantic: 2. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now. Premium Economy: Baggage You get two hold suitcases when traveling in Premium Economy, which is a big bonus. By using ba.com you agree to the use of cookies. In-flight, British Airways advertises that World Traveller Plus passengers get "two delicious meals, complimentary bar service including signature cocktails (or mocktail)." BAs World Traveller Plus cabin comes in two forms, with a more modern product found on the B787, A380 and some B777s and an older one on the rest of the long-haul fleet. British Airways charges 60 for a second bag if you reserve online when travelling on basic economy tickets. Premium Economy: Baggage. The airline is also offering its Premium customers an in-seat wireless charging pad (though these are shared with one in each set of seats in the 2-3-2 configuration). I was on Cathay's website and under Travel Classes it only shows Premium Economy but when I went to bookings to check flight availability it gave two prices, one for Premium and one for Premium Flex. However, you'll still find two universal power outlets between each pairing of World Traveller Plus seats in addition to a USB outlet. Despite the change, passengers still get premium check-in, priority baggage and boarding, and onboard amenity kits, meals and drinks, including wine from New Zealand. If you book in advance, Premium Economy is generally 85% more expensive than your standard Economy fare. Bid & win a luxury hotel stay or travel item for your next vacation. Flight review: Cathay Pacific A350-900 premium economy, Flight review: Cathay Pacific B777-300ER premium economy, Flight review: Cathay Pacific A330-300 Premium Economy. Thanks to a recent cabin refresh, the British Airways cabin now appears fresh and sharp. Wider, comfier leather seats and a separate cabin are all plus points. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. An amenity kit including ear plugs, socks and other necessities is also provided. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Keep in mind that youre still responsible for any changes in fare price, but you will not incur change fees. Non-Silver and Gold customers cannot select seats in advance if they book Premium Economy. They do not even dare to show them on the website or mention these relics. This means there are two seats by the windows and either three or four seats in the middle column of seats. Thomas Pallini/Insider Each premium economy class seat is a large recliner seat offering additional seat pitch and width. The seat is upholstered in cream-coloured anti-stain leather with stitching details and a wood panel finishing similar to business class, and also features six-way adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests. You now get a decent meal offering in BA premium economy served on real china, and BA has also introduced new amenity kits, blankets, and pillows which are all surprisingly good. 4. There is not a dedicated British Airways Premium Economy check-in, so you have to check-in with all the Economy passengers. Seat Type: Standard Recliner. Waiting for me on the seat was a pillow, headphones (not noise canceling! Seating classifications that come before first and business class run the gamut, from basic economy to premium economy. Premium Economy, Complimentary breakfast for two per bedroom, $100 USD equivalent Hotel experiential credit per room per stay, Early check-in / late check-out (subject to availability). Tall passengers rejoice: British Airways premium economy gives you around 7 inches of additional legroom measuring 38 inches of pitch vs. just 31 inches of pitch in economy. These new products, which offer extra flexibility options for customers, are available from day one for travel sellers using our Flights API and the Duffel Dashboard. As I had to arrive in London for a meeting the next morning, this flight matched my schedule the best. In addition to a substantial recline, British Airways premium economy seats offer both a fold-out legrest and a fold-down footrest. So, if premium economy is the love child of business class and economy, where does that put economy plus? Our partners compensate us. United's is called Premium Plus, Virgin Atlantic has Premium, and on British Airways, it's World Traveller Plus. British Airways do not offer a company travel loyalty programme in the US but our partner American Airlines does. The seat has a 38-inch legroom, stowage area for laptops and small personal items, memory foam cushions, an eight-inch recline, leg rest and six-way headrest. That being said, if you have any sort of airline status (for example, you earn the lowest status tier on Delta, Silver Medallion, with 45,000 qualified miles and $6,000 of qualified flight spending), you might unlock upgrades that could get you into an economy plus or premium economy seat at no charge. Three premium tier levels make up British Airways classes, each offering a unique set of perks and amenities that are reflected in the price tags. You can take more with you, choose where you sit and board earlier. Have a look at the related articles at the bottom of this one for more on the history of premium economy, and the reasons there are so many different varieties. Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. A foam and microfibre mattress topper and 400-thread-count bedding. Where the gap from economy to premium is small, the bags alone can make an upgrade . Economy vs. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. Learn more: How to choose which airline miles to earn from your flights, How (and why) to upgrade your British Airways flight using Avios, How to choose which airline miles to earn from your flights. Food and drink in British Airways premium economy, Amenities and other perks of British Airways premium economy, British Airways premium economy, recapped, British Airways premium economy amenity kit, pillow and blanket, Other perks of British Airways premium economy. Our new Club Suite is also available on selected flights. Comparatively, some British Airways economy fares are "hand baggage only" and charge up to $175 each way for two checked bags. they are on Standard/Plus fares. on select Club World flights. However, you cannot purchase an upgrade once onboard. But, even with the grotty cabin, the food, drinks service, and crucially the seat recline and space were better in Premium Economy vs. Economy. Premium Economy customers will get two meal services as well as a selection of drinks throughout the flight. It isn't just the seats and overall space that's more, well, premium than an economy ticket. There is not a dedicated British Airways Premium Economy check-in, but there does tend to be out of the UK airports so this is an advantage over Economy. Indulge in the most exceptional comforts from luxurious fine dining to your own private suite. Let's take a look at what you need to know about British Airways premium economy which the airline calls World Traveller Plus including what you'll find onboard and how the experience differs from what you'll find in economy. A three-course meal will be served on new chinaware designed for Finnair by Finnish designer Harri Koskinen and Iittala, with a light meal service just before landing. Whilst 3 inches doesn't sound like a lot, on a long, transatlantic flight tall people will definitely benefit from that additional space. Even in the worst Premium Economy in BAs fleet with the tatty cabin, the recline, space, food, and drink are superior in Premium Economy. Passengers in Economy have limited space while those in Premium have approximately 5 inches (12.5 centimetres) more leg room. It says the remaining long-haul fleet consisting of Airbus A330-300s and A340-300s will be equipped with Premium Economy Class at a later date. It depends on the length of your flight and personal preference. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. Take your pick from the hundreds of latest films, television programmes, albums, audio books and games. The starters were eggs and asparagus. On the B777-300ER and B777-200ER aircraft it is in a 2-4-2 configuration, with a 2-3-2 configuration on the B787-10 and a 2-2-2 on the B767-300ER. Thank you. Flying in economy just isn't what it used to be. While an economy ticket doesn't get you an upgrade from coach, understanding what the class offers should still factor into your seating decision. However, this does not influence our evaluations. So, is premium economy or economy plus worth the price bump? British Airways. While British Airways' premium economy is not quite the same experience as flying in business or first class, it does offer some additional perks that arent available when choosing to fly on an economy ticket. The British Airways premium economy amenity kit includes socks, an eye mask, lip balm, a pen, a toothbrush and toothpaste. They recline by nine inches and have an expanded seat pitch of 40 inches. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced. There were two standard lavatories located to the rear of the cabin for both premium economy and economy class passengers. Although perfectly adequate, I haven't found this meal to be particularly "delicious" falling short of what British Airways advertises. These seats usually start around $1300 and can cost up to $3000. Designer Ray Chen has incorporated Chinese aesthetic touches throughout the aircraft, with the premium economy cabin featuring walls lined with a wood texturing effect. Worth The Upgrade? Comparatively, the A350s and 777s offer a truly new product, which one would hope made their way to the 777-200ER as well. 3. There is a single leaf meal tray for work and dining, individual reading lights, PC power and USB-A ports. British Airways premium economy typically allows two free checked bags at no additional cost. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. As you'll see in the pictures below, that was an incredibly good deal. Flight review: Air Canada B787-8 premium economy, Flight review: Air Canada B777-300ER premium economy. Diverging from the cabin separation premium economy offers, economy plus is part of the main class cabin. Benefits on the A330s (the only aircraft which has premium economy) include a separate cabin section with between 17 seats which recline to 120 degrees (9 inches) and offer up to 40 per cent more legroom (compared to economy); baggage allowance of up to two items weighing 23 kg, dedicated check-in desks and priority boarding; a night kit with blanket and pillow, and a 10.6 inch TV screen on the carriers A330s. The food was good, and I continued watching movies throughout the meal and then decided to recline my chair and take a short nap. British Airways charges 40 online or 45 at the airport, giving a 5 discount if you book online before check in. Which aircraft have British Airways premium economy? Flight review: Japan Airlines B777-300ER premium economy. If you are a small or medium-sized business and would like to earn your company points when your employees travel. Our opinions are our own. As the flight was an early morning one, I didnt spend much time at all in the British Airways lounge at JFK before the flight, either. Overall, I must say that I was quite shell-shocked to see that these seats even exist anymore. British Airways premium economy consists of four to nine rows of seating depending on the aircraft and is found between the business class and economy cabins. Premium economy, particularly on an international level, is an entirely separate airline cabin with physically different seats in front of the economy cabin and generally has a curtain behind it, just like the gap between business and first class. We offer free upgrades, free breakfasts, and free perks at hotels, including Four Seasons, Aman, Belmond, Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, InterContinental, and more. Lufthansas seat is not in a separate cabin but, depending on aircraft, is up to an inch wider than in economy, with about four inches more room at the side thanks to a wide armrest and a centre console. And while a few cabin design elements may vary by aircraft, you can still expect the same top quality food, drink and warm service by our attentive crew wherever and whenever you fly World Traveller. JT Genter is a freelance points, miles and credit card writer formerly of The Points Guy. Even if the price is your biggest factor when choosing between Economy and Premium Economy, Premium Economy can mean that you avoid wasting a day of your holiday, which may ultimately be worth more than the price difference. In terms of space and amenities, these two classes are VERY different with Business Class offering up to 50% more legroom, significantly greater recline, more substantial legrests and headrests, and superior food and wine offerings. But the innovation doesn't stop therea fully adjustable headrest . Book a flight in World Traveller Your World Traveller experience A range of fares with no hidden charges Personal flat screen with headphones Family-friendly features Stylish interior cabin Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. A350, B777 and B787. British Airways Premium Economy Vs Economy Image 6 of 15, Worth The Upgrade? When boarding, a glass of prosecco and a newspaper are offered and, later, a choice of post-prandial liqueurs. So how do we make money? The 28 seats are configured in a 2-4-2 cabin layout. And mileage collectors and elite status members will appreciate earning extra miles and elite-status credits. Over the decades, many airlines have reduced legroom, squeezed more seats into each row and cut back on services. The fixed shell seat features an integrated privacy shield, as well as adjustable armrests, a cocktail table, single piece meal table, personal reading light and extra-large IFE screen. Let's cut to the chase: Economy plus is not as luxurious as premium economy, though it is more affordable. SAS is quite shy about its premium economy seat, which ii calls SAS Plus. Once in the air, you get a hot towel before your food. Most of British Airways' long-haul aircraft have a premium economy cabin, also known as World Traveller Plus. So - for the second time . Conclusion. If you need to cancel or reschedule your British Airways flight, you have options, regardless of ticket type. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. You will get standard seating with about 30 to 31 inches of legroom, though it varies by airline and aircraft. Learn more: How (and why) to upgrade your British Airways flight using Avios. I would still book Premium Economy on one of these unrefurbished planes rather than fly Economy. Delta's premium economy class, for example, is called Premium Select (available only on select international flights). I would say that British Airways Premium Economy is the bare minimum standards of a Premium Economy product. Club Suites are available on select services in New York-JFK, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bangalore and Toronto flights. Flight review: Lufthansa B747-8 premium economy. Business class has gotten more luxurious, leading some airlines to get rid of long-haul first class. Premium economy fits between coach and business class, both price-wise and in terms of placement on the aircraft. Features include up to 40 inches of seat pitch, 19.5 inches of seat width, eight inches of recline, and a 13.3-inch IFE screen. Let's start from the top, shall we? Throughout the cabin, you'll find a large, fixed armrest between each seat. Following on from my comments about the price, you may wonder whether it is worth upgrading from Economy to Premium Economy at all! The Virgin Delight offering provides a few extra benefits only usually found on Premium Economy flights. However, that was not the most shocking thing. Fast track arrivals at London-Heathrow (available for non-EU passport holders). The new premium economy seating is by Haeco, and Finnair is the launch customer of its Vector Premium seat, customised by Finnair and again, designed in partnership with Tangerine. Premium Economy: Lounges When flying in Premium Economy, you do not get access to any British Airways lounges. Those flying in premium economy often won't have to pay fees on their checked baggage, and they accrue airline miles at a different rate than on a coach ticket. For flights to the USA, Virgin Atlantic's Premium Economy is worth the investment. You get 2 hold suitcases when traveling in Premium Economy, which is a big bonus. Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. Whether or not you get meal service depends entirely on the airline and your exact flight.