When you’re traveling for business and someone else is picking up the tab, it’s easy to get used to First Class travel and flying Business Class – but when you’ve used up all your frequent flyer miles and you still don’t want to face the realities of “cattle class,” do you skip the trip entirely?
The answer is that there is another option, if you’re flying the right airline.
More airlines these days have a fourth class option on their flights that’s known as “Premium Economy Class.” As you’d guess by the name, it’s a step above regular old coach, but it’s not quite as nice as Business Class. What Premium Economy usually gets you is more legroom and perhaps a few free amenities. On some airlines, Premium Economy will be an entirely different kind of seat, one that reclines a little further than the ones in coach and come with a leg rest, and things like fast-track boarding and better entertainment options.
Not all airlines offer Premium Economy, so if this sounds like an option you want to look into more you’ll want to find out which airlines have it first of all. The list below covers airlines that have Premium Economy in some form or another – it may just be a little more legroom, and it may be a completely different kind of seat. You’ll need to check with the airlines to find out exactly what’s included.
Also keep in mind that because airlines are charging for every little thing these days that Premium Economy isn’t a free upgrade. In fact, those exit and bulkhead rows that always had more legroom are often classified as “Premium Economy” class now so the airline can charge more for them.
And if we missed an airline that has Premium Economy and should be on this list, please let us know in the comments.
Airlines in North America that Offer Premium Economy Class
- Air Canada
- Air Transat
- Frontier Airlines
- Mexicana Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin America
Airlines in Europe that Offer Premium Economy Class
- Air France
- BMI British Midland
- British Airways
- Icelandair
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- OpenSkies
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
Airlines in Asia & the South Pacific that Offer Premium Economy Class
- Air New Zealand
- All Nippon Airways
- EVA Air
- Garuda Indonesia
- Japan Airlines
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
- Thai Airways
- V Australia
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Blue
{ 2 comments }
I’ve flown Aerolineas Argentinas and y seat was considered Premium Economy. However, as you mentioned in the article, “those exit and bulkhead rows that always had more legroom are often classified as “Premium Economy” class now so the airline can charge more for them”. I am not sure if AR can be in this list.
I just called SQ to see what booking class this is in and they advised that they do not have premium on their aircraft.
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