Premium economy has slowly become what most industry observers would argue is the most confusing cabin in the sky. At times, the seats are essentially identical to those in economy, but with a bit more legroom. In other circumstances, it is a genuine business-lite premium experience that is accordingly priced not all that far beneath what you would expect to pay for a business-class ticket. Against this noisy backdrop, there are a few carriers that consistently aim to offer as much value for money as possible, selling real premium seating for relatively modest upcharges. We analyze five of the cheapest premium economy products, which, on average, still feel like a meaningful enough upgrade over economy to be truly considered premium economy.

The five premium economy products we analyze are those offered by Air New Zealand, China Eastern Airlines, SAS, American Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. Each of these carriers offers something unique. Air New Zealand and SAS, for example, use smart upsell pricing to keep premium economy cabins full without alienating price-sensitive leisure travelers. American Airlines is increasingly becoming a key player in premium markets with comfortable seats that are often sold at a much lower premium than those of competitors like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. China Eastern Airlines and Vietnam Airlines also quietly offer generous hard products, but control costs and keep service closer to what you would expect in economy. The result is ultimately the same for passengers, who are in search of more space, better rest, and a quieter cabin for far less than they might expect.

Air New Zealand

Approximate cost over economy: 50%-100%

Air New Zealand’s premium economy product has quietly carved out a unique niche for itself as one of the best-value premium economy cabins to be in operational service today. Passengers can primarily expect to see the route on trunk routes between New Zealand, North America, Asia, and Australia, with the cabin frequently priced as only a modest step up from standard economy, especially during sales and shoulder months. Despite clearly offering good value, the seat also offers a comfortable hard product.

With a wide 2-3-2 recliner layout on both the Boeing 787 and the Boeing 777, the seat offers noticeably more width for passengers. The seats also come along with leg rests and improved overall recline. Instead of pushing premium economy into a semi-luxury bracket like some Asian and Gulf carriers, Air New Zealand tends to treat the cabin as a relatively smart upsell, one that keeps fare differentials relatively small in order to help make sure that the cabin remains permanently full.

That structure means that a traveler can often secure a genuinely more comfortable international travel experience for a few hundred dollars more than traveling economy. Some competitors, by contrast, are charging near-business-class fares. When one combines the seat with upgraded catering, priority check-in, and a more generous baggage allowance, the effective cost per hour of comfort becomes rather compelling. Passengers are not required to pay for any over-the-top frills, but are rather investing in space and comfort for their travel experience at a price that undercuts major competitors.

China Eastern Airlines

Approximate cost over economy: 20%-60%

The premium economy product offered to the market by China Eastern is one of the clearest examples of a product that is affordable because it is engineered around cost and volume. On Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 models, the seats themselves are perfectly reasonable recliners unto themselves, with a 2-4-2 layout that offers extra legroom and recline relative to seats in economy. The airline’s soft product itself, which is centered on catering, amenities, and service patterns, is shared with economy with only modest upgrades.

This amount of available flexibility matters to customers, as it keeps unit costs low and allows revenue management teams to price premium economy aggressively, especially on routes between Europe and China, where demand is strong, and the airline competes directly with higher-rated European travel brands. The airline, in some circumstances, charges in premium economy what most competitors will charge for standard economy seats. At times, the incremental charge between premium economy and the airline’s own economy product is relatively limited.

This positioning allows the airline to market itself as a value-oriented full-service network carrier. Like Air New Zealand, China Eastern primarily targets higher load factors and market share rather than trying to create a high-yielding product on its own. For passengers, this offers a fairly appealing deal, as they will be offered a materially better customer experience at the cost of some priority services, which will be offered to premium economy passengers on other airlines.

Vietnam Airlines

Approximate cost over economy: 50%-100%

Vietnam Airlines’ premium economy cabin has become one of the most interesting cabins to enter Asia-Europe travel markets for a few key reasons. For starters, the product itself combines the generous pitch one would expect with surprisingly modest pricing, especially in comparison to the airline’s competitors. On its Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 models, premium economy is laid out in a comfortable 2-3-2 configuration, matching what the airline’s competitors bring to the table. The airline also offers leg rests and footrests to passengers in premium economy, alongside a quieter, smaller cabin.

This cabin is mostly seen on routes to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the two largest Vietnamese air travel markets. On these routes, the airline can effectively compete with peers like Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines. The airline really wants to present itself as a carrier that is competitive in terms of the premium products it provides, but leans into the overall value propositions. One of the most effective ways the airline does this is by using attractive premium economy pricing to stimulate demand and capture connecting traffic without breaking down yields.

The airline’s soft product, which includes the meals, drinks, and amenities, resembles economy more than it does business class, keeping costs down and making sure passengers know exactly what they are paying for. When it comes to those for whom having a comfier seat is critical, this seat can offer exceptional value.

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)

Approximate cost over economy: 50%-70%

SAS’s long-haul premium economy product is a good example of how premium economy has become a near-essential offering for travelers that enjoy additional comfort. On routes between Scandinavia and North America or Asia, the airline frequently offers sales that can drop long-haul fares into the mid- to high-$600s range, especially for routes that connect secondary destinations on the US East Coast to major Scandinavian hubs.

While the actual product itself is a relatively small step above discounted economy class seats, it is meaningfully cheaper than the premium economy fares that are charged by transatlantic joint-venture partners and other rivals. The hard product itself is competitive with the global standard, with roughly the same amount of pitch as competitors on offer, alongside wider seats in a 2-4-2 layout, leg and foot rests, and upgraded catering alongside priority check-in.

SAS does not market this product as a near-business class upgrade. Rather, the airline treats this cabin as a revenue lever to fill seats on long-haul widebodies, allowing it to heavily discount outside of peak periods. For most value-oriented travelers, the combination itself is relatively powerful. Passengers gain access to priority services, including two checked bags on most fares, improved food, and a significantly more comfortable seat at a price that often overlaps with that of even the most basic economy class seats.

American Airlines

Approximate cost over economy: 70%-100%

The American Airlines premium economy cabin is less about being cheap in an outright sense but more about offering a better value for the upgrade passengers are receiving in comparison to the airline’s main competitors. The cabin is equipped on Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200 and Boeing 787-8 services, as well as Boeing 787-9 models. The cabin sits between Flagship Business and Main Cabin Extra seats, according to official documents published by the airline.

Seats are configured in a 2-3-2 or a 2-4-2 layout, with significantly more pitch offered in the cabin than in the Main Cabin. This offers customers extra width, deeper recline, leg rests, larger screens, and enhanced catering. In cash terms, American Airlines often prices premium economy at roughly 70% to 120% above the main cabin on most long-haul itineraries, with larger gaps emerging when demand is high and routes are busy.

In overall percentage uplift, this product offers a weaker value than the premium economy cabins of most other carriers on this list. Nonetheless, within the United States, American Airlines is the carrier which typically offers you the lowest price for this kind of modest premium upgrade.