Booking an airline ticket used be pretty simple. Today you have likely noticed the many options to choose from. Different prices, different colored seats, some cost $50 to upgrade, others cost $150. It can be confusing and overwhelming. We’ve referenced the blog from Stefanie Waldek, “What’s the Difference Between Premium Economy and Economy Plus” as a helpful resource for your next flight. And as always, Time to Travel Tours is here and ready to help in the travel planning.
Economy Plus
Also known as: United’s Economy Plus, Delta’s Comfort +, American’s Main Cabin Extra, and JetBlue’s Even More Space. Whatever it’s called, the economy plus seat is actually part of the economy cabin. But what sets these seats apart from the rest is a few extra inches of legroom, priority boarding, a better location at the front of the cabin, free alcoholic beverages, and free meal service, depending on your specific airline.
WHEN IT’S WORTH IT. If you have status with an airline, you might be eligible for a complimentary space-available upgrade from regular economy to economy plus. If the upgrade is free—and you don’t get a middle seat—it’s almost always worth it. If you do travel with frequent flyer status, consider the exit row seat over economy plus - it still tends to have more leg room.
If you travel without status, it will cost you. For taller travelers, you will likely really appreciate the extra legroom. However, if you don’t feel too cramped in regular economy, it might not be worth the price tag for flights under four hours. For long-haul flights, however, the upgrade is likely worth it if you have the means—the extra legroom goes a long way when you’re sitting for six hours or more, and it’s not that much more money in the grand scheme of airfare.
Premium Economy
My husband and I recently flew premium economy on Air New Zealand. It set a new travel bar for the long-haul flights. We were really impressed by the seat size, seat recline and menu options (different from economy) Premium economy is actually a standalone cabin that sits right between business and economy, both physically and in terms of amenities and services. Here are some other names for premium economy:
Aeroflot: Comfort
Alitalia: Classica Plus
British Airways: World Traveller Plus
Delta: Premium Select
JAL: Sky Premium
United: Premium Plus
Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia: Premium
Some of the top-rated premium economy options can be found on Singapore, Delta, Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific.
A potential downside to premium economy is the cost—fares are oftentimes double that of economy. (Though, keep in mind that business can be six to ten times more expensive than economy, and sometimes even more.) Depending on the time of year and ticket demand, premium economy tickets can be surprisingly inexpensive. Check in with Time to Travel Tours before booking your next ticket!
The Bottom Line
Economy plus and premium economy are entirely different classes with vastly different price points and significantly different amenities. Economy plus is a slightly upgraded economy experience, while premium economy is its own cabin with elevated service on international flights. As airlines love to throw different names on their seats, be sure to check which class you’re actually getting before booking.