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Flying in long-haul economy can be a form of slow torture, as you cram yourself into a too-small seat, attempt to sleep in an almost-fully upright position, and work to dodge the elbows of the passenger sitting next to you. And yet, most fliers—unable to afford the lavishness of business or first class—feel banished to fly forever in the very cheapest seats.
This is where the premium economy fare comes in: This cabin class is designed to offer seats that are a little roomier than coach and come with a few business-class perks but are still somewhat reasonably priced. But not all premium economy cabins are worth the extra expense.
The best premium economy products can usually be found on long-haul or international routes and come with extra benefits on the ground and in the air. When booking a premium economy ticket, look for conveniences like dedicated check-in lanes, priority boarding, airport lounge access, seats with additional legroom and comforts like leg rests, and enhanced wine and meal options.
Following those criteria, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite premium economy products. We promise that spending your precious money or hard-earned frequent flier miles to upgrade to these cabins will be worth it when you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed—possibly even pampered—and ready to start your trip.
This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Emirates
One of the most popular premium economy cabins in the sky, Emirates debuted its version of the offering in 2021. The seats have continued to roll out to more aircraft, specifically, on Emirates' double-decker Airbus A380 planes and on select retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft. The cabin can be found at the front of the first deck. The seats are now available on more than 30 routes to and from Dubai, including US cities like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, and Houston.
For premium economy travelers, the perks start in the airport, with a separate check-in desk, larger carry-on bag allowance, and free seat selection. Inside the cabin, Emirates invoked the same design elements as the airline's iconic business-class cabin, such as cream leather with stitching details and wood accents. Passengers also get a large throw pillow, six-way adjustable headrest, calf-and-foot rests, and an in-flight entertainment screen measuring 13.3 inches wide, as well as a dining table with side cocktail table and charging ports.
As for in-flight dining, expect three-course dinners served on Royal Doulton china tableware with stainless steel cutlery. Emirates always includes a dish local to the flight's destination on the premium economy menu—like Thai pepper beef with jasmine rice and pak choi. Top it all off with a complimentary glass of wine or something sparkly like the vintage 2012 Chandon—one of the array of drink selections from the business-class wine list not available in regular economy.
Qantas
Australian carrier Qantas's premium economy cabin—available on the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A380s—is completely separate from regular economy with 32 to 40 seats in a two-three-two layout. Seats are wider and have more legroom than coach, but they also feature wider armrests with storage compartments, two USB outlets, an ergonomic headrest, and a foot rest.
One of the most thoughtful aspects is the seat’s “unique recline motion” that is designed to “provide a class-leading level of comfort,” Qantas says on its site. Instead of simply reclining backward, the seat moves forward and up, so your legs and back are slightly elevated in a more comfortable position.
Premium passengers are greeted with a complimentary sparkling wine or water upon boarding. Meals are served on custom-designed tableware by David Caan. Other in-flight amenities include noise-canceling headphones, large pillow, 100% wool blanket, and an amenity kit. Passengers in the cabin also have access to a dedicated check-in counter and priority boarding.
The cabin class is available out of at least 13 airports, including US hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth, New York JFK, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
All Nippon Airways
Fliers booked in premium economy class on All Nippon Airways will receive many of the same benefits as flying in the Japanese airline's plush business class. On international flights, premium economy passengers are guaranteed access to ANA's lounges at its major airports, including Haneda airport and Narita airport in Tokyo, Osaka's Kansai airport, and Honolulu airport. They also receive priority baggage handling.
ANA's newest premium economy seats, found on board its Airbus A380s, Boeing 787-10s, and Boeing 777-300ER planes, have a roomy 38 inches of pitch, a leg rest that supports the calf, massive 15.6-inch personal monitor, and an adjustable reading light attached to the headrest.
Starting in 2026, the carrier will introduce new Recaro seats in premium economy on its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The new seats will offer two additional inches of seat pitch (for a total of 40 inches), to additional inches of recline (for a total of nine inches), as well as USB-C charging ports and Bluetooth connectivity.
During the flight, those seated in premium economy can order from the business-class drink menu, which includes curated selections of Champagne, sake, red and white wine, Umeshu plum wine, and shochu. When meal time rolls around, passengers will be served the airline's beloved dishes that fuse Asian and Western cuisine, including its homemade bread served in business class. If you're still feeling peckish, choose from an array of petit fours or cup-style noodles usually reserved for business class only.
Virgin Atlantic
Onboard Virgin Atlantic's sleekly designed plane interiors, there's a lot to celebrate—like the revamped Upper Class cabin on the airline's Airbus A350 planes with The Loft lounge. Not least among them is Virgin's premium economy cabin, simply called Premium, which is available on the carrier's A330-220 and A330-300 planes, its A350-1000s, and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Seats in Premium are roomy: They're up to 21 inches wide (four inches wider than economy), have seven to eight inches of recline, and up to 38 inches of pitch. Each one also has a footrest.
Premium fliers get a dedicated check-in and bag drop line, plus priority boarding. Once aboard, passengers are handed a complimentary welcome glass of bubbly. Dinner includes a starter and main course served on china and paired with white or red wine. Select flights also include Virgin's signature afternoon tea service, featuring sandwiches, tea cakes, and warm scones with jam and clotted cream.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore, known for its over-the-top first-class suites, also has a solid premium economy product available on its A350, A380, and Boeing 777 planes.
Seats are spacious with up to 19.5 inches of width, an eight-inch recline, as well as a calf and foot rest. Each spot also has two USB ports and a 13.3-inch screen that comes with noise canceling headphones. There are also individual stowage areas specially designed for a water bottle, laptop, and headphones. While most of the seats are in a two-four-two layout, the airline's A350-900ULR planes have six single seats available, which would give the experience more of a business class feel.
Premium economy passengers have access to additional meal and beverage choices, including Singapore's famous “book the cook” service, which is available in premium economy flights out of 27 cities. This service allows customers to choose from in-flight meals created by the airline's International Culinary Panel and reserve them up to 24 hours in advance. Customers also receive priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling.
Cathay Pacific
While Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific's business class consistently ranks among our favorites, its premium economy on its Boeing 777 and A350 planes is also worthy of attention.
Set in a separate cabin in a two-four-two layout, seats have ample space with up to 20 inches of width and up to a whopping 40 inches of pitch, according to Seat Guru. There are also full-length calf rests and leather-padded footrests on the A350s and Boeing 777-300ERs, and a larger tray table. Additionally, there's a separate mini cocktail table, which can hold passengers' complimentary welcome drink received upon boarding.
Premium economy fliers order from an upgraded menu that includes the airline’s signature garlic bread, are given priority boarding, and have access to dedicated check-in counters at select airports.
Starting in 2025, the carrier began refreshing the cabin class on its Boeing 777-300ER planes with new seats. This new product has 15.6-inch entertainment screens, Bluetooth audio pairing, as well as a dedicated premium economy lavatory with touchless features. At meal time, passengers in the new cabin are also offered prosecco and dishes from Cathay’s restaurant partners Pirata and Veda.
Air France
In the fall of 2024, Air France renamed its premium economy cabin to simply “Premium” and began installing larger new seats in the fare class across its fleet. The new seats recline to a generous 124 degrees, offer 37 to 38 inches of legroom pitch and an adjustable footrest, and have been “widened for extra comfort,” the airline says. As an additional upgrade, Air France redesigned the seat foam and topped it with herringbone fabric for a softer, more cozy finish.
The new seat is available on select Boeing 777 planes and Airbus A350 jets, and by the end of 2025, Air France expects them to be installed on 80% of its fleet.
Aside from the seat specifications, the Premium cabin offers a priority check-in counter and baggage drop at the airport, as well as priority boarding. Extra in-flight perks include 13.3-inch entertainment screens with Bluetooth connectivity, USB charging ports, noise-cancelling headphones, and an amenity kit designed specifically for the cabin class.
And this being France’s national flag carrier, meal time is its own momentous event. Premium passengers can expect to receive a glass of Champagne upon arrival, followed by a “full ‘French-style’ meal service, comprising snacks, a starter, a choice of two hot dishes, cheese and dessert, served in eco-designed tableware with stainless steel cutlery,” according to the airline’s site. Expect to top it all off with impressive French patisserie, like Paris-Brest and chocolate fondant.
Lufthansa
In Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabin concept, each seat in the cabin features a hard-shell backing that will allow fliers to recline without encroaching on the passenger behind them. Each seat has 39 inches of pitch, and, on average, Lufthansa’s premium economy seats offer 50% more space than regular economy.
The cabin’s 24 seats are laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration and also come with a 15.6-inch 4K monitor, wireless charging stations, leg rests, noise-cancelling headphones, a separate cocktail table, a personal reading light, a coat hook, and a water bottle holder. You’ll also get two free checked bags, and once onboard, a welcome drink to sip as you settle in.
The new Allegris cabin class is now available on nine of Lufthansa’s Airbus A350-900s, which are flying between Munich and San Francisco, Shanghai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chicago, Beijing, and New York-JFK.
British Airways
When flying in a premium economy seat on British Airways—called World Traveller Plus by the carrier—you’ll find a separate cabin with seats laid out in 2-4-2 arrangement, totaling about 40 seats on most aircraft that operate transatlantic routes. In terms of dimensions, seats offer 38 inches of pitch and eight inches of recline, and a foot rest (but no leg support). The airline also notes that the seats are wider than in regular economy.
Once you complete your priority boarding, you’ll be offered a welcome drink of sparkling wine or juice in real glassware. Meals are also served on ceramic tableware. Other amenities include over-ear-headphones for your in-flight entertainment, plus a plusher blanket, pillow, and toiletry kit than those offered in coach. Two free checked bags round out the benefits in this comfortable fare class.
Japan Airlines
Although Japan Airlines has long offered a stellar premium economy product, the newest version of the cabin that’s rolling out on the carrier’s Airbus A350-1000 planes is on a different level. The 24 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout have hardshell seat backs so reclining passengers don’t steal away your elbow room. There are also divider walls between seats for extra privacy, and business-class features like motorized recline and legrest functions that operate at the push of a button. The seat specifications are impressive, too: Legrests rise to a comfy 90 degrees, and when that feature isn’t in use, a pitch of 42 inches means there’s plenty of room to stretch out. You’ll also find a massive, 16-inch 4K monitor for in-flight entertainment, an AC power outlet, USB type A and C charging ports.
At the airport, premium economy passengers can expect priority check-in at a counter dedicated to the cabin, priority baggage handling, and access to the airline’s Sakura lounges within Japan.
As of spring 2025, the airline was flying nine of the 13 total A350-1000 planes it had ordered. The nine planes currently operate on the airline’s routes between Tokyo Haneda and New York JFK, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), London Heathrow (LHR), and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). In summer 2025, JAL will begin operating the new aircraft between Los Angeles (LAX) and Tokyo, as well.
Air New Zealand
Passengers on all of Air New Zealand’s long-haul routes operated by its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 777 jets have the option of upgrading to its premium economy cabin. You’ll ease through the airport with premium check-in and a luggage allotment of two checked bags. Inside the separated premium economy cabin, where 28 seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 layout, expect seat features like a legrest, extendable footrest, and 50% more recline than regular economy for a total of nine inches. Seat pitch measures a roomy 41 inches. Come meal time, you’ll have an upgraded menu to choose from, with dishes like slow-roasted lamb or New Zealand hāpuka fish accompanied by a selection of award-winning New Zealand wines.
What’s more: the airline unveiled the first of its redesigned 787-9 Dreamliners in May 2025, featuring an upgraded premium economy product with more storage options, side wings for added privacy, and fixed outer shells so reclining passengers don’t encroach on your personal space. That initial aircraft—tail number ZK-NZH—will operate flights between San Francisco (SFO) and Auckland (AKL). Seven of the new aircraft variant are expected to be in service by the end of 2025.
EVA Air
As the airline that’s credited with inventing premium economy class back in the 90s, EVA Air’s version of the fare class is well worth the splurge. Today, the Taiwan-based airline's cabin is available on the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER planes. The airline focuses the upgrades where it matters: making the seats more comfortable than regular economy. Rows in the separate cabin are configured in a 2-4-2 layout. Each seat offers a roomy 38 inches of pitch, a whopping 121 degrees of seat recline, and 19.5 inches of seat width. Small, thoughtful touches like slippers, Hunter-branded amenity kits, and noise-canceling headphones, plus AC and USB power ports, provide an extra dose of comfort.
The airline is also launching a brand-new version of the premium economy cabin on its forthcoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets. In this refreshed class, the cabin will have 28 seats laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration. Seats will have 42 inches of pitch, privacy wings on the headrest, 15.6-inch entertainment screens, foot rests, and seats with hard shell backing. They will recline in a “cradle motion” sliding forward and upward for a recline equivalent of eight inches without bothering the passenger in back. The 787-9 is registered B-17887 and currently operates flights from Taipei to other Asian cities like Jakarta and Hong Kong. Eva Air says it expects to receive eight more 787-9s with the premium economy class by 2029, eventually adding the aircraft to its route between San Francisco and Taipei.
Delta Premium Select
Delta’s version of international premium economy—Delta Premium Select—underwent an extensive overhaul in 2022. The result: an even plusher cabin with more comfortable seats, cozier bedding, and food and beverage perks. The latter point may be what passengers are most charmed by. After take-off, Premium Select fliers are now offered a “bubbles and bites” service, with complimentary sparkling wine or sparkling water and savory snacks, like mixed nuts. Other business-class-level touches, like printed menus and an oshibori towel, make meal service an event worth savoring. Seats offer 38 inches of pitch with a leg and foot rest, 19 inches of width, and seven inches of recline—each dimension several inches larger than regular economy. Other upgrades include two free checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, noise-canceling headphones, and a plush memory foam pillow.
