I used to think premium economy was a nicer way of saying coach.
But after flying United's Premium Plus to Germany, I learned there's a meaningful difference. And it’s one that's easy to overlook when booking a flight.
The confusion comes partly from the airlines themselves. Many use names like comfort or economy plus alongside their true premium economy cabins. But these aren't interchangeable products.
Premium economy is a separate cabin entirely from regular economy, including plush perks like a wider seat, better recline, and upgraded food and amenities. It’s not the same as paying a bit more for extra legroom or an exit seat row.
Think of premium economy as the bridge between coach and business class, and in the cases of the airlines listed below, it can often be very well worth the upcharge.
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Premium Economy vs. Extra Legroom Economy
First things first: Premium economy and extra legroom seats in economy are two totally different products that hide behind similar-sounding names.
True premium economy is a separate cabin that’s a tier above coach. Delta calls its version Delta PremiumSelect, United has United Premium Plus, and American refers to its product as Premium Economy.
International airlines with similar products include British Airways' World Traveller Plus, KLM's Premium Comfort Class, Air France's Premium Economy, and Virgin Atlantic's Premium.
Then there's extra legroom economy. These are seats still housed inside the regular economy cabin, just with a few extra inches of space than the seats all the way in back.
You'll recognize them as Delta's Comfort, United's Economy Plus, and Main Cabin Extra on American. These are not wider seats, nor do they come with elevated meal service, or any perks beyond the added space (though sometimes, you’ll board earlier than regular economy).
Best Premium Economy on International Airlines
British Airways: World Traveller Plus
British Airways' World Traveller Plus is a true premium-economy cabin, separated from economy by a curtain.
Seats are wider than in coach at 18 to 19 inches (versus 16 to 17 inches in economy), have more recline, and include lumbar support, a headrest, and a footrest. Over-ear, noise-reduction headphones are also provided.
For a luxe touch, passengers get a glass of sparkling wine, and receive upgraded meals that include an appetizer, main course, and dessert.
When you're ready to snooze, you'll have a pillow, quilt, and amenity kit (including lip balm, an eye mask, a pen, socks, toothbrush, and toothpaste) to help keep you comfortable.
Most routes on this type of booking also allow you to check up to two bags for free (as opposed to one in economy), and priority boarding is included.
KLM: Premium Comfort Class
KLM's Premium Comfort Class is a separate cabin from economy, with up to 28 seats located between economy and business class.
Seats are 19 inches wide with a leg and foot rest, and about 38 inches of pitch (the front-to-back distance between one point on your seat and the same point on the seat in front of you), compared with about 31 inches in economy.
Unlike economy, meals are served on china and include a choice of main courses, with wine, beer, and other drinks included. You'll also be handed an amenity kit, pillow, and blanket, plus be seated in front of a larger entertainment screen with power outlets at your seat.
Premium Comfort passengers also enjoy Sky Priority, which includes priority check-in, baggage drop, and boarding. A personal item and two carry-on bags can be brought onboard. Depending on the fare category, you'll get up to two free checked bags.
Air France: Premium
On Air France aircraft with newer Premium seats, these ticketholders are treated to a wider, more spacious seat than economy, with up to 38 spacious inches of legroom, a footrest, and 124 degrees of recline. The exact seat varies by aircraft, so check the seat map before booking.
Meals are upgraded from the economy experience, with a choice of dishes and complimentary drinks. Passengers also receive a comfort kit with items such as an eye mask, socks, toothbrush, and toothpaste, along with a pillow and blanket.
Premium passengers receive priority check-in, baggage drop, and boarding. Checked-bag allowances depend on the fare and itinerary, with some Premium fares including two bags.
Virgin Atlantic: Premium
Virgin Atlantic's Premium cabin is separate from economy and sells a noticeably larger seat. In this upgraded cabin, you can spread out in seats up to 21 inches wide, with approximately 38 inches of pitch, compared to a tight 17 to 18 inches and about 31 inches of pitch in standard economy. They also recline farther and include a leg rest and adjustable headrest.
You'll get a welcome drink, an upgraded three-course meal, and complimentary drinks throughout the flight, as well as plush perks like a pillow, blanket, and amenity kit stocked with an eye mask, socks, and dental-care products.
Premium passengers also get priority check-in, security (where available), and boarding, along with two checked bags. (Just don’t confuse it with Virgin's Economy Delight, which is the airline's extra-legroom product.)
Best Premium Economy on Domestic Airlines
Delta: Premium Select vs. Comfort
Delta Premium Select is a true premium-economy cabin, separated from coach with wider seats (up to 19 inches), up to 38 inches of pitch, and up to 7 inches of recline, plus an adjustable foot and leg rest. It's primarily found on international flights and select longer domestic routes.
On applicable flights, passengers receive upgraded meals and drinks, which includes a hot towel service. Premium headphones, a pillow and blanket, and an amenity kit are also provided. Premium Select also includes Sky Priority services such as priority check-in, security (where available), and boarding.
Then there’s Delta Comfort, which sounds premium but is the airline’s extra legroom economy option. You’ll get more legroom, dedicated overhead-bin space, and earlier boarding, but you won’t get to bypass the main cabin. Your seat is the same as all others, and so is the service. For most domestic flights, Comfort may be the only option if you want more space without splurging for first or business class.
United: Premium Plus vs. Economy Plus
United Premium Plus is the airline’s separate premium-economy cabin found primarily in the airline's international widebody aircraft.
The seats are wider than economy (up to 21 inches versus 17 inches), recline farther, and include a footrest. Passengers also receive upgraded meals, indulgent Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, an amenity kit, and noise-reducing headphones. The seatback entertainment is also larger at 13 inches.
Premium Plus comes with additional baggage and priority airport services, including priority check-in and boarding. It's a meaningful step above United's regular economy product.
It’s not the same as Economy Plus, which is United’s extra-legroom economy class. The seats have more space between rows and are generally located toward the front of the economy cabin, but the seat itself and onboard service remain the same as economy.
American: Premium Economy vs. Main Cabin Extra
American's Premium Economy is a separate cabin on its long-haul widebody aircraft, with seats about 19 inches wide and generally 38 inches of pitch. That's noticeably more room than standard economy, and the seats also have greater recline, a leg rest, and an adjustable headrest.
Passengers in this fare class receive an upgraded meal service, complimentary drinks, an Ostrichpillow lumbar pillow, a blanket, and an amenity kit. Premium Economy also includes additional checked baggage and priority services at the airport, like priority check-in and boarding.
Main Cabin Extra, on the other hand, is American's extra-legroom economy product. It provides more space (generally about 34 to 36 inches of pitch) than regular economy but retains the standard main cabin seat and service. American sells Premium Economy seats on select domestic routes, so check the aircraft and seat map rather than assuming every domestic flight has only first and economy.
How Much Should You Pay for Premium Economy?
There's no universal percentage that makes premium economy a good deal. And on a long-haul or red-eye flight, the value can be more than monetary, in some cases.
I look at the total package, not just the number of inches between my knees and the seat in front of me. On a lengthy international flight, for example, a wider seat, more recline, and priority treatment can make premium worthwhile. Especially when I’m flying overnight and need to hit the ground running.
On a shorter daytime flight, however, I might happily spend much less money and stay in coach, or just pay for extra legroom, and call it a day.
The other number to watch is the price of business class. If premium economy is only a little cheaper than business, I'm tempted to just keep spending for the upgraded business class service. It’s often a far higher luxury product, sometimes with lie-flat seats you’ll never find in premium economy.
Finally, check whether upgrading an existing economy ticket is cheaper than purchasing a premium-economy ticket. You might also be able to bid for an upgraded seat on airlines like Virgin Atlantic, which can be significantly cheaper than paying outright (though you risk staying in your current level of service if your bid is rejected).
The Shortcut
Delta Comfort, United Economy Plus, and American Main Cabin Extra are not premium economy. They're economy seats with more legroom and the same seat width. It’s important to know the difference between cabin types.
Premium economy, on the other hand, typically is a separate cabin, with better seats and priority airport lines. It comes with even better perks if you fly internationally.
For domestic flights, Delta, United, and American sell true premium economy on some aircraft and routes. Otherwise, you’ll have to choose between extra-legroom economy and first class.
