Premium economy vs economy: Is it worth the upgrade?

Comfort comes at a premium when travelling, and while the dream of stretching your legs out on a business class or first class flight may not be a reality for you anytime soon, premium economy may be within reach.

However, how different is premium economy class from regular economy? Is it worth the extra money? Before you book your next plane ticket, let's dive into what it's like to fly in premium economy.

What is premium economy?

Premium economy is the seating class between economy and business class. It gives you access to more comforts and amenities than regular economy, but without the business class price tag.

This seating class is typically only offered for long haul international flights, which means you won’t usually find it as an option for domestic travel. For a bit more money, it can make a real difference to those travelling far flung distances.

One major distinction between economy and premium economy is space; premium economy affords you more leg room and generally a wider seat, so you can fly a little more comfortably.

Is premium economy worth it?

It really depends on what your travel needs and wants are, however, premium economy does provide you with an enhanced flying experience compared to economy. 

If you’re planning a trip that requires a long-haul flight, you really won’t regret opting for increased legroom and a roomier seat. Premium economy tickets also include extra baggage allowance, so if you’re heading on a lengthy vacation, you might want to factor this in. 

However, if your flight time is relatively short, you don’t need an extra baggage allowance, or increased legroom isn’t a necessity, premium economy may not be worth it for you. 

How much more do premium economy seats cost?

It depends on the airline, how far in advance you book and whether it’s on-peak or off-peak time, but premium economy seats can be 30% to 100% more than an economy fare. 

For example, a flight from New York to London may cost around US$600-800 for an economy seat, while a premium economy fare for the same flight is around US$1,200-1,600. 

This is a significant price increase, although the flying experience between economy and premium economy is, as you would expect, very different. This is where PayLater can come in handy.

The beauty of PayLater means you can book your upgraded seat today and pay it off over time, with no stress and no interest. Plus, the earlier you book, the smaller your repayments. 

By locking in your fare now, you spread the cost of upgraded seats over more weeks or fortnights, making each payment lighter on your wallet. Book Now, Pay Later allows you to hack how you travel — fly comfortably, without the upfront payment. 

Economy vs premium economy

Generally, the key differences between economy and premium economy flights are:

• Space and comfort: You have more legroom, the seats are wider and you can recline deeper, making sleeping and resting more comfortable. This makes the flight experience much more pleasant and means you’ll arrive at your destination feeling refreshed. 
• Experience: The cabin contains fewer seats than economy class, the food and drink selection tends to be more substantial, and you can access priority boarding and increased baggage allowance.
• Value for money: While it is more costly than economy class, premium economy is much more affordable than business class, allowing you to experience luxury for less. 

Some of the nitty gritty premium economy vs economy details include:

Premium economy vs business

While we’re at it, let’s also look at how premium economy and business class stack up. Although premium economy may be touted as a more affordable business class experience, there are significant differences besides the cost. 

Comfort, space and privacy are the main differences in the business class vs premium economy comparison. In business class, travellers experience wider seats, increased leg room and the ability to recline the seat into a bed. Plus, the seats themselves are stationed in a private pod, so business class travellers can unwind in peace. 

The dining experience is also enhanced in business class, with specialty food and drinks options, and travellers are often granted lounge access and receive priority check-in and boarding. 

How to get premium economy tickets?

Due to limited space and differences in aircrafts, there tend to be fewer premium economy flights available and it’s recommended to book as soon as possible to secure your seat. If you’re holding off on booking your ticket while you save up for premium economy, seats could be snapped up before you’re ready. With PayLater, you can lock in your premium economy seat now without depleting your savings. 

With that good news, here’s how to land a premium economy ticket for your next flight. 

Upgrades

‍A common way to secure a premium economy seat is to book an economy seat and upgrade to premium economy from there. You can upgrade at a cost or use points, and this can be done in advance or in person at the counter.

Airlines tend to sell premium economy tickets at a discount up until the departure time of the plane, so you may get lucky upon arrival. The obvious downside with this method is not knowing if you’ll be flying premium economy until the day of your flight. 

Many airlines also allow travellers to bid on premium economy, or even business class tickets, to secure any unused seats. This usually starts a few weeks before the flight, allowing you to bid up until a week before takeoff. This method tends to be cheaper than booking the seat outright, especially if you’re bidding on a business class flight. 

International vs domestic premium economy flights

Premium economy isn’t really offered on domestic flights — most airlines offer either economy or business when flying domestically. However, particular airlines may offer slightly elevated economy experiences, for example, Delta’s Comfort+ or United’s Economy Plus, which offer priority boarding and extra legroom.  

Your best bet for experiencing premium economy for yourself is with an international flight. A long-haul flight, in particular, makes the most sense to invest in a premium economy ticket so you can soak up the added benefits for longer and have a more enjoyable flight experience. 

Airlines that offer premium economy

Not all airlines offer premium economy flights, and the experience does differ between air carriers. Here are some of the best premium economy airlines to explore for your next trip.   

Singapore Airlines premium economy

Singapore Airlines offers a luxurious premium economy experience on its A350, A380 and Boeing 777. Here’s an overview of what’s included.

Comfort and convenience 

• A calf rest and footrest are built into the seat
• Easily stretch out into a reclined position 
• Access USB ports, a power outlet and a fully adjustable reading light

Elevated dining 

• Enhanced meals with a seasonal appetizer, main course, bread, dessert, and cheese and crackers
• Sip on Champagne, wine, and a wide selection of drinks
• Enjoy snacks and beverages between meals
• Preview your menu up to 8 days before the flight

Amenities 

• Passengers on flights 7+ hours receive slippers, a lightproof eye mask and a lip balm
• These are stored in an eco-friendly pouch

Priority treatment

• Faster check-in and priority boarding, and baggage handling

Cathay Pacific premium economy

Cathay Pacific’s premium economy class is reserved for its Boeing 777-300ER fleet, and here’s what travellers can anticipate. 

Rest and relax

• The seats offer a generous recline, extra legroom and a supportive headrest
• Full-length calf rests and leather-padded footrests 

Global cuisine options

• Experience a taste of Hong Kong with classic Cantonese fare 
• Nourishing plant-based options focused on wellness are available
• Mid-flight snacks include Hong Kong egg tarts and Cathay Pacific’s own Betsy beer, which is brewed specifically to be enjoyed at 35,000 feet

Added perks

• An environmentally-friendly amenity kit is available on long-haul routes, complete with essentials like socks, earplugs, an eyeshade, a toothbrush and toothpaste
• Dedicated check-in counters at selected airports, priority boarding and increased baggage allowance

Emirates premium economy

Emirates offers premium economy class on its Boeing 777 and A380 fleet, offering enhanced comfort and luxurious amenities. Here are some of the perks.

Space to stretch out

• A sophisticated cabin interior with spacious cream leather seats
• Adjustable headrests, footrests, and calf rests as well as a generous recline

Deluxe dining options

• Meals are served on Royal Doulton china tableware with stainless steel cutlery wrapped in linen
• A polished wood grain dining table folds into your seat
• Choose from an extensive range of beverages, including Chandon sparkling wine and extra vintages from the business class list

Above-average amenities

• Complimentary sustainable amenity kits are available on longer flights
• Blankets made from recycled plastic bottles are handed out for ultimate comfort 

Available routes

Premium economy is only available on select routes, between Dubai and cities including: 

• Ahmedabad (AMD)
• Auckland (AKL)
• Brisbane (BNE)
• Brussels (BRU)
• Bengaluru (BLR)
• Bogota via Miami (BOG/MIA)
• Boston (BOS)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Christchurch (CHC)
• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
• Dammam (DMM)
• Edinburgh (EDI)
• Geneva (GVA)
• Houston (IAH)
• Kuwait City (KWI)
• London Heathrow (LHR)
• London Stansted (STN from May 2025)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Melbourne (MEL)
• Mumbai (BOM)
• New York John F Kennedy (JFK)
• Newark via Athens (EWR/ATH)
• Riyadh (RUH)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• São Paulo (GRU)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Seoul (ICN from April 2025)
• Singapore (SIN)
• Sydney (SYD)
• Tokyo Narita (NRT)
• Vienna (VIE)

Qantas premium economy

Qantas’ award-winning premium economy cabin can be found on its Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 planes. The Australian airline experience includes:

Seating and space

• A seat designed for longer flights, with generous recline and extra legroom 
• An ergonomically designed headrest, a specifically designed pillow and a re-engineered footrest created to optimise rest
• A private cabin of between 32 and 40 seats, with a dedicated crew

Culinary delights

• Enjoy multi-course dining served on tableware by Australian designer David Caon
• Qantas’ Sommeliers in the Sky can assist in choosing a wine from their award-winning selection 
• Drinks and snacks are available from self-service bars

Amenities

• A complimentary amenity kit offered on selected flights, containing an eye mask, dental kit and socks
• Snuggle up with a large cotton pillow and a 100% wool blanket

Baggage and boarding services

• A dedicated check-in counter, priority boarding lane and disembarkation access

Available routes

You can experience the Qantas premium economy treatment for yourself on select routes between Australia and around the world, including: 

• Auckland (AKL)
• Johannesburg (JNB)
• London (LHR)
• Paris (CDG)
• Rome (FCO)
• Santiago (SCL)
• Singapore (SIN)
• Vancouver (YVR)
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• New York (JFK)
• Honolulu (HNL)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• San Francisco (SFO)

British Airways premium economy

British Airways’ premium economy, known as World Traveller Plus, invites you into a more spacious and exclusive flying experience. 

Upgraded seating

• Seats are wider, with greater recline and lumbar support
• A head and foot rest, and extra legroom, allow you to really stretch out

Delightful dining

• Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine after take-off
• A starter, main and dessert for dining service
• Snacks and hold, cold and alcoholic drinks delivered to your seat

Sustainable amenities 

• A quilt and cushion add a layer of comfort
• An amenity kit, designed with sustainability in mind, features a bag made from recycled plastic bottles and includes essentials like lip balm, a dental kit and an eye mask

Baggage services

• A generous baggage allowance means you can bring both a cabin bag and laptop or handbag on board, as well as up to 2 bags in the hold
• Some routes come with an even greater allowance 
• AirPortr can collect your baggage from your doorstep and securely transport it to the airport and check it in for you (this service is currently available for flights departing from Heathrow, Gatwick, Geneva, Zurich and Vienna)

United premium economy

‍United’s premium economy, called Premium Plus, upgrades your flying experience.

Seating and amenities

• Bigger and wider seats, with extra legroom and generous recline
• Semi-private cabin area
• Power outlet and USB
• An amenity kit designed by TheraBody helps you arrive feeling refreshed with the addition of eye serum, facial spray, lip balm, hand cream and facial wipe

Boarding and baggage

• Priority check-in and boarding 
• Exclusive security lanes
• Priority bag handling, to be one of the first to receive your checked bag after a flight
• 2 free checked bags 

What to watch out for when buying a premium economy ticket

Travelling in premium economy can significantly upgrade your experience. However, here are a few things to keep in mind when securing your ticket. 

Space and privacy

Premium economy class isn’t created equal, and some airlines have more lavish options than others. 

While your airline options will depend on where you’re flying, it does pay to investigate the premium economy experience on each as some offer more space, a deeper recline and a separate premium economy cabin, giving you more privacy. If you’re paying extra for your ticket, you want to ensure you’re getting the best experience possible. 

Amenities and service

The same goes for the extra amenities and services that the airline offers. Some airlines offer lounge access to premium economy travellers, so be sure to consider this before buying, as it can make a huge difference to your travel experience. 

Most airlines that offer premium economy include priority boarding as part of the ticket, but not all include an increased baggage allowance. Be sure to check out the quality of the dining options, too, as the differences in airlines can be noticeable. 

Book early 

The most important consideration to remember! There tend to be fewer premium economy seats on planes so these tickets tend to disappear pretty quickly, especially on long haul flights or popular flight routes. 

We recommend booking your premium economy ticket as early as possible — PayLater can help you secure your fare now, and pay it off later.