In recent years, premium economy has gained popularity among airlines and passengers worldwide. Passengers benefit from extra legroom, wider seats, enhanced dining, and other premium amenities, improving the long-haul travel experience compared to regular economy class.

For airlines, the cabin offers a high-yield product that meets passenger demand for comfort at a lower price than business class. It is a product designed for leisure travelers seeking more comfort as well as price-conscious business travelers. However, the value-for-money of premium economy is heavily discussed among frequent travelers and depends heavily on the airline and passenger expectations. Asian airlines such as Japan Airlines, Emirates, Singapore, and EVA Air tend to offer some of the best premium economy cabins today, but how do the airlines that frequently cross the Atlantic compare?

The Best In The World: Virgin Atlantic

According to the Skytrax World Airlines Awards Virgin Atlantichas the best premium economy in the world this year, making it, without a doubt, one of the best premium economy products to cross the Atlantic on. Besides having the leading premium economy product, the airline was also recognized for having the best premium economy class catering in Europe.

In the premium economy category, Virgin Atlantic ranked third in the World Airline Rewards 2025. The comfortable leather seats in Virgin’s premium economy class offer a generous seat pitch up to 38 inches (97 centimeters) and a width of around 18.5-19 inches (47–48 centimeters). Furthermore, the seats offer a generous recline, an adjustable footrest, and a large 13.3-inch (33.8-centimeter) inflight entertainment screen (IFE) with over 300 hours of entertainment.

At the airport, passengers traveling on Virgin Atlantic’s premium economy can expect a dedicated check-in and bag drop as well as access to fast-track security. Onboard, passengers receive a welcome drink and an amenity kit for night flights to get comfortably settled. As mentioned earlier, Virgin Atlantic leads in terms of catering in premium economy, and passengers can expect a high-end and refined menu with proper plates and cutlery. For passengers still feeling hungry, the airline has the « Wander Wall » full of snacks and offers a true British afternoon tea.

The Best In North America: Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines’Premium Select product is considered to be the leading premium economy cabin in North America. However, at spot 11, the airline falls outside the top 10 best premium economy class airlines, according to Skytrax. Despite this, Delta Air Lines definitely still offers a compelling premium economy product for a comfortable flight across the Atlantic.

The seats in Delta’s premium economy class offer generous recline and foldable foot and leg rests, ensuring enough space to stretch out on a long flight. Each seat has a seat pitch of up to 38 inches (97 centimeters), a width of 19 inches (48 centimeters), and a 13.3-inch (33.8-centimeter) IFE screen.

Besides a great seat, passengers traveling in Delta’s premium economy cabin receive Sky Priority service, which includes access to special check-in and security lanes, as well as priority boarding and baggage service. During the flight, passengers will receive an amenity kit and a hot towel before receiving an elevated in-flight meal curated for Delta’s premium economy product. Passengers also receive more comfortable blankets and pillows, as well as noise-cancelling headphones to guarantee a good night’s sleep.

French Elegance In The Sky: Air France

Another airline, not exactly unknown for world-class premium cabins, is Air France. And their premium economy product appears to be no exception, with a solid eighth spot in the Skytrax ranking of the world’s best premium economy class airlines, as well as a sixth spot for premium economy class catering.

When flying on Air France’s premium economy, passengers will find premium seats with more comfort than in the regular economy cabin. The seat pitch is similar to other airlines at 38 inches (97 centimeters) and offers a 124-degree recline, enough to sleep through the night. Furthermore, seats feature an adjustable headrest, footrest, legrest, reading light, and a large IFE screen.

Onboard passengers receive everything they need to be comfortable throughout the flight, including an amenity kit and noise-cancelling headphones, as well as softer pillows and blankets compared to regular economy. The dining experience in Air France’s premium economy is what you would expect from the French airline, with champagne and a meal designed by a Michelin-starred chef. Similar to SkyTeam partner Delta also Air France also provides passengers with Sky Priority benefits at the airport.

A Comfortable Flight Across The Pond: British Airways

British Airways‘ premium economy cabin, World Traveller Plus, is the seventh best in the world according to Skytrax, and received the tenth spot for best premium economy seats.

Similar to the premium economy cabins of other airlines, British Airways offers passengers more legroom and wider seats of 38 inches (97 centimeters) and 18.5–19 inches (47–48 centimeters). The seats also provide passengers with better recline, lumbar support, headrest, and a footrest, ensuring a comfortable flight. Additionally, each seat has a large inflight entertainment system with access to Paramount+, offering hundreds of the most recent movies and TV shows as well as music, audiobooks, and games.

After takeoff, passengers receive an amenity kit including all essentials and a glass of sparkling wine. During the dining service, passengers are provided with a starter, main, and dessert, and throughout the flight, snacks and (alcoholic) beverages are available.

Is Premium Economy Killing First Class?

As airlines are increasingly introducing premium economy products, first class is gradually disappearing. An important driver for this is the continued improvement in both the hard and soft products of business-class cabins. For example, in 2024, American Airlines also discontinued its international first-class product due to decreasing sales, being the last US airline to make this decision.

When British Airways started to offer lie-flat business class seats back in 2000, the product was very different from what we know today. Over the years, however, the quality of business class products has increased substantially. Seats have become more private and luxurious, dining options more extensive and refined, and the service offering at airports has also improved. The service elements airlines can still realistically implement to differentiate first class and business class have become minimal, making first class almost obsolete, with many seats going unsold.

Airlines that still offer first class today often do this in premium-heavy markets (such as London to New York) as well as to and from the Middle East. Often, it is not about offering the actual first-class anymore, but about the status of flying first-class for passengers. It is perhaps also no surprise that many airlines offer these unsold first-class seats as upgrades to frequent flyers.

Why Premium Economy Is Here To Stay

The (re-)introduction of premium economy cabins has resulted in positive results for airlines, and it is safe to assume that only more airlines will introduce a premium economy class on their long-haul aircraft. Premium economy cabins increase per-seat revenue compared to economy, while avoiding the costs associated with business class.

The passenger segment airlines target with premium economy products is, as mentioned earlier, leisure travelers seeking more comfort or price-conscious business travelers. A reason for the increased demand for premium economy cabins is the surge in business-class travel in recent years, which has driven up prices and forced some travelers to seek more affordable alternatives. On the other hand, airlines have also been cutting service quality in regular economy class, creating a customer group willing to pay extra for better service but unwilling to pay for business class. According to a 2016 study, passengers are willing to pay more for premium economy, with flight distance a logical factor in the level of this willingness to pay. An interesting finding in this study is that older age groups show a strong willingness to upgrade to premium economy, as they seek more space and comfort.

Seeing the success of others, airlines such as Emirates and Lufthansahave also started to add premium economy products. Especially, Emirates has seen success with its premium economy product, having only introduced the travel option back in 2020 , but already consistently ranking in the top 10 of best premium economy airlines according to Skytrax. Currently, the airline is spending billions on cabin refurbishments, which include the installation of premium economy. During the recent Dubai Air Show, flydubai also confirmed it would be introducing a premium economy cabin in its new Boeing 787s. So whether you love or hate premium economy, one thing is for sure: the cabin class is here to stay.