If you are a frequent business traveler whose employer refuses to spring for Business Class seating, you can give yourself a boost from the standard economy cabin of an airplane with premium economy, a relatively new class of service on many airlines that offers slightly upgraded amenities and services for the cost-conscious, savvy air traveler with a focus on quality.
Premium economy seating is usually maintained in a separate cabin on international flights. While not on par with business class offerings, you will get slightly more comfortable surroundings, like more legroom, wider seats, further recline and larger seat-back monitors. Upgraded services, like access to power outlets, better food and drink options and occasionally wireless access, round out the improvements over standard economy.
Seat Guru, a service provided by TripAdvisor.com, provides an overview of the cost for premium economy seats in a variety of situations. When flying over the Atlantic, Seat Guru recommends booking close to the date of departure, when you may get a premium economy ticket for only 35% more than a standard economy ticket. When booking further in advance, premium economy could cost you up to 85% more than standard economy. However, when flying over the Pacific, the gurus claim the cost is usually 95% more than economy, regardless of when you book the ticket.
Seat Guru suggests that premium economy seats are a good value when you can find them for 10% to 15% more expensive than a standard economy ticket.
Although amenities and seating specs vary by airline and aircraft, in general you can expect 5 to 7 inches of additional legroom, seats 1 to 2 inches wider and an additional 2 to 3 inches of seat recline. While most airlines offer some sort of electrical outlet as part of premium economy service, only selected Virgin America and United Airlines flights offer wireless Internet access, according to Seat Guru's 2010 article.
Asking for a discount upgrade at the airport can sometimes get you the premium economy seat for as little as 10% more than the standard fare, if there are several open seats. This is probably the best way to buy premium economy with an eye toward value. Because these seats are so much more expensive when booked in advance, the airport upgrade can help significantly if the plane is looking to get rid of empty premium seats.
