Premium Economy vs. Economy: Picking the Perfect Seat

• Within economy class on an airplane, there are several different tiers to choose from, ranging from basic to premium.
• Lower-tier levels can help you save money, but higher tiers such as premium economy have more legroom and come with perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.

Travelers today have a bunch of different choices when it comes to deciding where to sit on a plane. Economy is usually the biggest tier on an aircraft with the most seats. But within economy, passengers have other levels to choose from, ranging from bare-bones basic to standard economy to higher echelons like economy plus and premium economy. You may be wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of each level. How is premium economy different from economy plus? Is it worth it to pay for the higher tiers, or better to tough it out in basic? Understanding the terminology around different seating levels can help you decide which seat to book.

From pricing to benefits, we break down the differences between economy class tiers, as well as how sections like premium economy and economy plus vary by airline.

What is premium economy?

Starting at the top, premium economy sits somewhere between standard coach and business class, both in terms of prices and placement on the aircraft. Location-wise, you’re situated directly between the main and business class cabins, usually in your own designated section. Price-wise, premium economy tickets are usually 85 percent more expensive than standard economy, but that gap can come down to 35 percent closer to your departure date. Still, according to SeatGuru, they’re markedly less expensive than business class.

What do you get with premium economy? On average, five to seven more inches of legroom than standard economy, two to three extra inches to recline, and slightly wider seats. But it isn’t just the seats and overall space that’s more, well, premium. It’s the amenities, too—you’ll have different meal options, as well as other perks like amenity kits and priority boarding. Exact benefits vary by airline, but free checked bags and accruing airline miles at higher rates are other benefits.

Mostly available on international flights (and some long-haul domestic routes, depending on the airline and plane), premium economy classes can be found on many major carriers like American Airlines, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines. Some airlines offer this tier under different titles, like Delta Air Lines’ Delta Premium Select, United Airlines’ United Premium Plus, Virgin Atlantic’s Premium, and British Airways’ World Traveller Plus.

What is economy plus?

The economy plus tier sits right below premium on the economy class hierarchy. Positioned at the front of the main class cabin, these seats are more affordable and less luxurious than premium, but still come with more legroom, and often, comfier seats. Beyond that, economy plus ticket holders can expect benefits like priority boarding, allocated carry-on space, or even superior beverage or meal service, depending on the airline.

As with premium economy, many airlines offer an economy plus type of ticket but call it something else. Delta Comfort, for example, provides passenger perks like extra legroom, premium refreshments, and reserved overhead bin space. On United, it’s simply called Economy Plus and comes as a yearly subscription, while American Airlines offers Main Cabin Extra as an upgrade option on most flights, starting at $20. JetBlue’s EvenMore is one of the nicest economy plus programs, with early boarding, extra legroom, dedicated bin space above your seat, free alcoholic beverages, and prime placement near the front of the plane.

Which has better value and perks, premium economy or economy plus?

So, is splashing out on premium economy or economy plus worth it? It depends on the length of the flight and your personal preference. Considering that premium economy seats can be up to 85 percent more expensive than standard, that’s a big price jump. But remember that premium economy is mainly available on long-haul and international flights. If you’re going to be in the air for hours at a time, it can be worth paying extra to be comfortable. In these situations, economy plus is a nice middle ground, offering better seating and perks without sky-high premium prices.

For example, say you’re flying cross-country from Los Angeles International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Delta. Delta Comfort may be several hundred dollars more than the main cabin, while Delta Premium Select can be more than double. Flying from LAX to JFK takes about six hours. It’s up to you to decide how much your comfort is worth.

That said, if you have loyalty status on an airline, you can potentially score free upgrades to either economy plus or premium economy. With Delta’s Medallion program, all tier levels are eligible for unlimited complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort on international and domestic flights, as well as boosts to Delta Premium Select on some long-haul and cross-country flights. With some airlines, you can upgrade using miles or points from loyalty or rewards programs, as with United’s MileagePlus program.

What about economy and basic economy?

Apart from premium and plus, you have two final economy tiers to choose from: economy and basic economy. Both are in the main cabin, with the same sized seats and around 30 to 32 inches of legroom. For fares, economy is the standard rate, while basic economy is usually slightly less, making these the most affordable seats on the plane. Both come with similar in-flight services, like free onboard entertainment, snacks, and beverages, and economy may get a meal service depending on the route and airline.

The main differences come down to seat selection, fees, bags, and benefits. In basic economy, your seat is automatically selected for you, usually in undesirable spots like the back of the plane or the middle seat. You may also have more restrictions on ticket alterations, requiring you to cancel tickets and buy new ones rather than changing them, and only offering full refunds if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase. Another key distinction is the ability to earn miles or points with basic economy. American Airlines, for example, lets you earn miles on basic economy tickets, while other carriers, like Delta, do not.

With economy, you’re generally permitted a personal item and one carry-on, and having airline frequent flier status or a co-branded credit card can sometimes include checked bag fees. For basic economy, you’re usually allowed a personal item and a carry-on as well, but since basic economy passengers board last, you may have to gate-check your carry-on due to lack of space. Furthermore, some airlines charge for carry-ons in basic economy.

In essence, if you don’t mind packing light and being flexible with your seat assignment, basic economy can help you save a ton of money. With standard economy, you’re better able to choose your desired seat and don’t have to worry as much about additional fees or restrictions.