Premium economy "shell" seats on Japan Airlines.

Premium economy is a travel class offered on some airlines, positioned in price, comfort, and amenities between economy class and business class. In 1991, EVA Air became the first airline company that have this kind of class in aircraft. As of 2011, the term is not standardized among airlines, and varies significantly when comparing its use on domestic versus international flights or when comparing low-cost or regional airlines with other airliners.^[1] Premium economy is sometimes limited to just a bit more leg room, but at its most comprehensive can feature multiple "creature comforts" that are only a notch below Business class.^[1]

Elite cass, premium economy on EVA Air

For example, in the United States domestic market, airlines such as United, Delta, Jet Blue, and Virgin America have an upgraded Economy class with 2–5 inches (5.1–13 cm) more leg room as the only difference; they market the class as "economy plus", "economy comfort", "even more legroom" or "main cabin select" (respectively).^[1] At the other extreme,^[1] on Air New Zealand and Qantas feature a "premium economy" includes premium check-in, large customized seats (some for couples while others targeting solo travelers), seat pitch up to 41 inches (100 cm) with 50% more recline, premium meals, a self-service bar for drinks and snacks, a personal in-flight entertainment center with remote control, noise-cancelling headphones and choices in games and movies for children and adults, skin care products in the lavatory, and an amenities pouch containing items such as socks, sleep masks, earplugs, and toothbrush.^[2]

Service codes used by airlines vary—for example, Virgin Atlantic denotes premium economy as W.^[3]

Examples of differences[link]

Premium economy can encompass differences from economy class such as:^{[citation needed]}

Some airlines may designate an entire economy class as premium, such as United p.s. on its transcontinental Boeing 757-200 premium service aircraft.

Premium Economy tickets also normally earn more mileage in an airline's frequent flyer program, attracting a bonus between Economy and Business.^{[citation needed]}

Airlines[link]

Airlines offering this service include:

Some airlines no longer offer Premium economy:

• Midwest Airlines: Signature Service (was only found on Boeing 717s)
• Singapore Airlines: Executive Economy used to run on non-stop flights from Singapore to Newark and Los Angeles. This was discontinued in favor of all-Business Class flights.^[8]

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Economy class

• Aircraft cabin
• First class travel
• First class
• IATA class codes
• Wide-body aircraft
• Traveller's thrombosis, sometimes nicknamed "Economy class syndrome"

References[link]

External links[link]