Premium Economy grows up

If your travel budget doesn’t stretch to Business Class, Premium Economy offers a good alternative, with more space and comfort than Economy Class. When you are flying long-haul, additional space and comfort count.

Since its launch by EVA Air in 1992, Premium Economy has grown up, with most offerings today a vast improvement on the early days when some airlines thought a few service touches, but the same economy class seat warranted a premium tag. Today, a more comfortable and spacious seat in a separate cabin and an elevated in-flight service, including more food and beverage choices, and check-in and luggage benefits are the norm.

Last year, EVA Air unveiled its fourth-generation Premium Economy seats onboard its Boeing 787-9s, with 28 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. The seat’s cradle motion recline mechanism allows the seat cushion to slide forward and upward simultaneously, which the airline says creates a comfortable recline equivalent to 8 inches at the same time as preserving space for the passenger behind.

The seats feature 15.6 inch high-resolution widescreen monitors, a multi-function entertainment system controller, 110V AC and USB combo power outlets, while the tray table includes a holder for personal devices.

The latest design offers enhanced privacy, with side privacy panels on the headrests and built-in reading lights. Headrests, armrests and footrests are all upholstered in premium leather, while storage spaces can be found in the armrests, seatback compartments and a dedicated bottle holder.

“The fourth-generation seats retain the core philosophy of previous generations, while enhancing comfort, fashion and functionality,” says EVA Air president Clay Sun.

Premium Economy developments are on the cards for other airlines. In 2027, South American airline group LATAM will introduce its new Premium Comfort cabin on 787 long-haul services. Seats will be wider than in economy, have greater recline and increased pitch, with 16-inch 4K screens, bluetooth connectivity, fast-charging USB-C ports and individual power outlets.

Qantas’ Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULRs will be delivered from the end of this year, with 40 Premium Economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. Seats will feature an adjustable winged privacy headrest, calf rest to support the full leg, two fast charging USB-C outlets, a 33.8cm (13.3in) entertainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity and three dedicated storage pockets.

Singapore Airlines’ will introduce a refreshed Premium Economy on its retrofitted A350-900 and A350-900ULR fleet this year.

Emirates, which was a latecomer to Premium Economy in 2022, continues to add markets where Premium Economy is available as retrofitted 777s and A380s re-enter service, with its Premium Economy network to expand to 99 points by the end of 2026. The upgrade of its first high-density, two-class A380 into three classes, with 56 Premium Economy seats, is scheduled for mid-April, with all 15 of the two-class A380s to feature Premium Economy by November.