It's not always easy to tell the difference between economy, economy plus, and premium economy. But premium economy, if done well, offers more than just a few extra inches of leg room. Think of the ideal premium economy as a kind of “business class lite” option, with better meals, fancier cocktails, roomier seats, and upgraded amenities such as dedicated check-in and access to more storage space.
The list of these amenities—and airlines that offer them—is only set to grow, according to predictions from airline analysts, especially as passengers have been seeking out more space on planes.
A few good rules of thumb to keep in mind when deciding whether to spring for that premium economy fare: Usually international carriers and long-haul routes have premium economy cabins that offer the most perks, with newer planes like the Airbus A350-1000 and classic wide-bodies like the Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 Dreamliners typically sporting the majority of the best cabins.
Here are some of the best premium economy seats that are actually worth upgrading for.
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Emirates
One of the most anticipated premium economy cabins in the sky, Emirates debuted its version of the offering in 2021. This year, the seats are continuing to roll out to more aircraft. Specifically, on Emirates' latest double-decker Airbus A380 plane, the cabin can be found at the front of the first deck. The seats are currently open for booking on routes from Dubai to Paris Charles De Gaulle and London Heathrow; Sydney will be added to the list later this summer, and Christchurch, New Zealand, in December.