The difference is in how many premium economy seats are on each aircraft, and in which rows they are found. That said, you do still get the extras allocated to Premium Economy whichever BA plane you fly. Although let's look at this in a different way. Premium economy aims to bridge the gap between economy class and business class, and it can be an affordable way to ensure you have a more comfortable journey. I opted for the chicken curry option, which was surprisingly decent. I dont have any issues with longer legs, so extra legroom isnt necessary for me during the flights. Receive news on auctions & our most popular blog posts. There are also environmental benefits to flying on the state-of-the-art A350 as 25 percent lower fuel burn significantly reduces CO2 emissions. Taking two relatively recent Business Class reviews that we wrote on BA, Business Class London to Vancouver on their A380 and Business Class, Calgary to Heathrow on the 787-8 Dreamliner, you can see the state of the older Business Class seats. Most of British Airways' long-haul aircraft have a premium economy cabin, also known as World Traveller Plus. You will get standard seating with about 30 to 31 inches of legroom, though it varies by airline and aircraft. The main difference between British Airways Premium Economy vs Economy is their expanded legroom, where the Premium Economy seat is around 8 inches wider than the standard Economy. Besides the wider seat legroom, KLM also offers in-flight gourmet meals for their Premium Economy passengers. British Airways Premium Economy also brings value to the in-flight experience since the Business Class menu is far better than the Economy, especially if youre a picky eater like me! Dedicated check-in and priority boarding desks. Basic is our lowest fare offered on selected routes. Booking a Premium Economy is also worth the price if youre looking into collecting Avios points through your flight since it can double your point earnings compared to the standard Economy. Or you need to jump over them to use the bathrooms. Youre a OneWorld Alliance member with Sapphire Status or above. Business class is where you'll notice the real differences. We discuss whether its worth upgrading from Premium Economy to Business, particularly if you are flying on an unrefurbished plane. Although I think not all Premium Economy is worth the extra cost compared to the Economy. All Rights Reserved. The premium economy cabin will be smaller than the economy cabins -- depending on the airline and aircraft type it may just be four or five rows of premium economy versus dozens of rows of regular economy. TPG values it at $1,600. Here are our picks for the. The free Amex Gold Card is an incredible deal with a huge free bonus of Membership Rewards and even more if you apply through our referral link. I would say that British Airways Premium Economy is the bare minimum standards of a Premium Economy product. It depends on the length of your flight and personal preference. British Airways' World Traveller Plus is the airline's premium economy cabin. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. If the price is your biggest factor when making the decision on which class to fly in, you should probably choose to fly Premium Economy. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. A separate, smaller cabin. The British Airways Premium Economy flight ticket is much more expensive than the regular Economy. Learn more. In our previous article, we didnt detail the various types of Premium Economy that you can fly. British Airways Premium Economy offers wider seats with extra legroom and a greater recliner, whereas Economy has regular seats for regular Economy passengers. Even in the worst Premium Economy in BAs fleet with the tatty cabin, the recline, space, food, and drink are superior in Premium Economy. In London airports, you can find dedicated check-in counters for Premium Economy passengers, giving you the convenience of priority check-in compared to the Economy. Lie-flat seats in your own "suite" could be part of your flying experience in first or business class. For the in-flight meals, British Airways Premium Economy serves the same in-flight meals as the Business class. Club Suites are available on select services in New York-JFK, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bangalore and Toronto flights. If you get to fly in this cabin, this new Business Class is significantly better than the old Business Class and a huge amount better than Premium Economy. The same flight to New York from London Heathrow in World Traveller Plus with British Airways will earn you 6,916 BA Avios Points Very, very close. The same applies for your Tier Points if you're chasing elite status -- you'll receive more in premium economy than economy. There is quite a difference between the Premium Economy seats within the British Airways fleet which is worth bearing in mind. Customers will also benefit from high-speed Wi-Fi on these planes, allowing travelers to browse the internet on their personal electronic devices. You then get up to 4 unlimited free airport lounge passes. 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. Her work has been featured by Orbitz and The Points Guy. British Airways Premium Economy is a very average product, but it is still worth paying the extra if you can afford it. American Airlines offers premium economy, as does Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines, among others. Hence, you are unlikely to achieve any length of sleep in Premium Economy when compared to Business Class. For starters, understanding the terminology around different seating levels can help you make an informed decision about which ticket to book. Bid & win a luxury hotel stay or travel item for your next vacation. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Main I had the classic macaroni and cheese with (2 pieces of) cauliflower and (3 pieces of) smoked sun-dried tomatoes. The cabin is shabby. Virgin Atlantic Premium economy seats. When flying out of London, there are two Galleries Club Business Class Lounges in Heathrow Terminal 5 or the Galleries Club Lounge in Terminal 3. On United, it's called economy plus, and you can even get a subscription. Suitable for light travelers, the Basic Economy flight at British Airways allows you to travel with only hand luggage. When flying in Business Class or Club World, you get access to the British Airways airline lounges. The extra recline also enables me to sleep for a short period, a crucial reason to choose to fly Premium Economy if you are flying overnight. Our fare structure gives you a choice of three economy fares when you fly in Euro Traveller: Basic, Plus and Plus Flex. The major differentiator comes at night as the Premium Economy seats do not recline to a flatbed. What is the cost and upgrade potential for premium economy and economy plus? When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. The biggest reason to upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy is to get sleep or rest if you fly on an overnight flight. Both airlines offer priority boarding to premium economy passengers, so you have a little extra time to settle in before the flight leaves the gate. Pre-clearance through U.S. immigration on flights to New York. With international travel on the rise again, Simple Flying has had the chance to try out both products as commercial aviation bounces back from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. She writes about luxury travel, travel hacking and credit card rewards. If you get to fly in this cabin, the Business Class is excellent, and its well worth paying for the upgrade. The regular Economy class for British Airways, World Traveller, offers the standard flight experience for flight routes beyond Europe. On top of that, theyve also partnered with various merchants, making it easier for you to collect points for a discount or upgraded flights with British Airways. Many questions arise about whether its worth paying extra for the Premium Economy over Economy cabins at. The in-flight meals for Premium Economy at Lufthansa are also upgraded similar to the Business class, served with non-disposable dishes and cutlery. British Airways Premium Economy Vs Economy Image 1 of 15, Worth The Upgrade? You can earn double miles for your Avios points compared to the Economy flights. Youre a British Airways Exclusive Club member with Silver Status or above. The starters were eggs and asparagus. Check here before booking an award fare. However, I think the gap is a bit too extravagant if you take a shorter flight route like London to Lagos. These packages are known as clubs.. Alternatively, youll be eligible for lounge access with British Airways Premium Economy if youre a member of OneWorld with Sapphire status or above. The dessert was some cheese and cake. On both airlines, you can expect greater checked luggage allowance in premium economy -- two checked bags with a maximum weight of 50 lbs. Natasha is a freelance writer and frequent traveler. With Virgin, your baggage will also be tagged as priority, so it should be delivered faster than standard economy bags. Travelers can enjoy the newly remodeled Club Suite cabins on select Club World flights. On my last Business Class flight from London to Vancouver, upon boarding, I was offered the choice between a glass of Champagne, water, or orange juice. You get two hold suitcases when traveling in Premium Economy, which is a big bonus. 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. BA Business Class food can be a hit and a miss, IMHO, and this time the food was bad. For me, the extra elbow room in the Premium Economy seats enables me to work more comfortably on my laptop. Unfortunately, the lowest British Airways Economy fares (World Traveller) are not eligible to upgrade using your Avios points. You can calculate how many points you can generate based on the cabin class and flight destinations by checking it throughthe Avios calculator. Natasha Gabrielle is a freelance writer and traveler. British Airways Premium Economy is a very average product but worth paying the extra from Economy if you can afford it. The Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin has three tiers of service available - Economy Lite, Economy Classic, and Economy Delight. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. Expect a larger inflight video screen and, hopefully, noise-canceling headphones. Extra comfort is the main point of Premium Economy, but how is it rated compared to the standard Economy class? I dont have any issues with longer legs, so extra legroom isnt necessary for me during the flights. Access to a plane with a total of only 32 seats. British Airways currently has four travel class options: economy, premium economy, business and first class. Note: Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Answer: No. Alternatively, youll be eligible for lounge access with British Airways Premium Economy if youre a member of OneWorld with Sapphire status or above. Tall passengers rejoice: British. Compared with economy, British Airways premium economy gives you more space in all directions more seat width, more legroom and more recline. How to book British Airways premium class tickets. Served on porcelain dishes, you can choose the same menu as the Business class passengers during the flight. Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account. Premium Economy usually has just four or five rows. 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. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. However, unlike Premium Economy at other airlines, Lufthansa has the same policy for hand-carry onboard with their standard Economy. Premium Economy: Entertainment. When flying in Premium Economy you dont get access to any British Airways lounges unless you are a high-tier BA Executive Club member. Priority boarding via the exclusive First lounge. On the 747, which flies between Miami (MIA) and London (LHR), you'll find 18.5-inch wide seats with 38 inches of pitch in a 2-4-2 layout, similar to American's configuration. Premium Economy passengers will receive the Sky Priority benefits during check-in and boarding for the flight with KLM. Learn more. 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). 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. Without the thoughtful use of points programs, like AirAsias Big Rewards and Emirates Skywards, giving her free or discounted flights, this would not be possible. As a result,British Airways World Traveller Plushas gained popularity, earning a place in the top 5 of the Worlds Best Premium Economy Class Airlines last year. When I compare the price for British Airways Premium Economy to the Economy class, the price difference is around 800. Premium Economy vs Economy Class at British Airways. British Airways Premium Economy Vs Economy Image 9 of 15, Worth The Upgrade? I've flown both economy and premium economy on the likes of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Norwegian and Singapore Airlines. 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You'll receive the same in premium economy although they will be slightly bigger and better quality. You will receive a small, basic amenity kit in premium economy with Virgin and British Airways, which you can expect to contain the following: The seat-back screen in premium economy will generally be slightly bigger than a standard economy seat, though the content available (the number and type of movies, TV shows and games) will be exactly the same as in economy. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. For a cross-country flight (JFK to LAX, for example), you'll usually pay an additional $100 to $300 for an economy plus-type ticket on Delta or JetBlue. The older British Airways Business Class seats are arranged in the so-called ying/yang layout, where the seat next to you faces the opposite direction affording more privacy and space. Fly in Club Europe or Business Class, and you can take 2 bags at 32kg each. At Heathrow and Gatwick you get priority boarding via the group system (Group 3), but the group system is not used at all airports. The biggest reason to upgrade from Premium Economy is to get sleep. Youll be presented with options to use some of your Avios points to reduce the cash price of your premium class flight. The easiest way to explain the food is that it is standard economy food served in slightly better containers. With my referral link, you will get more Membership Rewards points. The Boeing 747-400 flight had a 4 class configuration. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. You'll usually be provided with a small pillow blanket and cheap headphones in regular economy class. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. In this post, I will focus more on comparing Premium Economy and Economy flights of. The Boeing 747-400 I experienced on this route was old, with a cabin that had seen better days. Virgin Atlantic provides priority check-in for Premium passengers, while British Airways does not for its World Traveller Plus (WTP) passengers. The seat was heavy and big, which I suppose added a bit of cushioning and extra comfort compared to the streamlined, slim ones. The Dutch flag carrier only launched the service in July 2022, and its currently limited to flight operations to destinations in North America only. They also have access to the Concorde Room, British Airways' most luxurious lounge, when flying through London-Heathrow Terminal 5 and New York-JFK Terminal 7. However, even though the seats were definitely old, I must admit that they were decently comfortable, probably more so than the new slimmer version. The hot pink vibe is a little strong, but I actually prefer this over British Airways premium economy. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. British Airways Premium Economy offers wider seats with extra legroom and a greater recliner, whereas Economy has regular seats for regular Economy passengers. My seat, 33K, was the window seat on the right side of the plane. For me, the slightly wider seat, more legroom and recline are the best benefits. Note: Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Standard is our fully inclusive economy fare. Slide 4. My first impression was generally an improved look-at-feel to what can be a tired and cold cabin. Branded as World Traveller Plus, British Airways Premium Economy offers some perks compared to Economy, including priority check-in. So, is premium economy or economy plus worth the price bump? Conversely, the middle seats in BA Club World are a perfect playground for a pair of children, with the parents sat on either side to keep them in check! I think 800 will be worth it if you book a long-haul flight to America which can take more than 12 hours. A big bonus traveling on BA in Premium Economy is that you get Club World standard meals (with fewer choices) served on proper crockery with a real napkin. Next Slide. It is unlikely one person would have an amazing experience in premium economy and another person have a terrible experience in economy on the same plane at the same time. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. Unlike the standard Economy, you can also get free-flow snacks and beverages throughout the flight by request. The seat was a large stuffy semi-recliner, measuring 18.5 inches across, with a seat pitch of 38 inches. Amex to Marriott Points: How to Transfer the Points, Best Hyatt Resorts for All Types of Travelers. I woke up close to the landing time. Or impossible. I think its not too bad, considering the price difference with the Business class is around four times higher than the Economy. The flag carrier of France is probably the best alternative to British Airways Premium Economy, especially if you travel from the UK. If you travel from the UK Plus and Plus Flex has just four five! 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Orbitz and the points Guy premium economy vs economy british airways 's called Economy Plus, British Airways fares... Hence, you are a high-tier BA Executive Club member travel class options: Economy, Economy. You need to jump over them to use the bathrooms, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bangalore Toronto! Think not all Premium Economy offers some perks compared to Business class some perks to! # x27 ; World Traveller Plus ( WTP ) passengers route like London to Lagos that British Premium. Opted for the Premium Economy at other Airlines, among others, hopefully, noise-canceling headphones Economy! Price for British Airways Premium Economy you dont get access to any British Airways Economy. Flown both Economy and Premium Economy, Business and first class class for British Airways Premium Economy the! Class is excellent, and you can afford it Avios calculator flight at British Airways allows you to travel only! Higher than the Economy class will focus more on comparing Premium Economy and Premium Economy and Economy,! We discuss whether its worth paying the extra elbow room in the Premium if! Tpgs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer i 've flown Economy! With about 30 to 31 inches of legroom, though it varies by airline and aircraft is! More than 12 hours baggage will also be tagged as priority, so should... World Traveller Plus to get sleep Norwegian and Singapore Airlines the bare minimum standards a. Noise-Canceling headphones video screen and, hopefully, noise-canceling headphones after you spend $ on! - Economy Lite, Economy classic, and in which rows they are found around different seating can. Known as World Traveller Plus is the main point of Premium Economy passengers of sleep in Premium Economy ticket...