Premium economy has gone from a somewhat niche development to one of the industry’s most important revenue drivers. The cabin was first introduced in 1992 by EVA Air, which launched its Evergreen Deluxe class as a way to bridge the gap between economy class and business class. At the time, few could have predicted how influential the idea would become, and what began as a bold experiment is now a staple across long-haul fleets worldwide.

As non-stop flights get longer and longer, guests want more space, better food, and priority treatment, but many corporate travel policies and personal budgets don’t stretch to business class. Premium economy offers a compromise, with wider seats, greater recline, enhanced dining, upgraded amenities, and priority airport services, often at a fraction of the cost of a lie-flat seat. As airlines continue to refresh their fleets, the newest premium economy cabins are more sophisticated than ever.

LATAM Airlines

Expanding its horizons

Credit: Vincenzo Pace

LATAM Airlines Group is preparing to make a serious statement in the long-haul premium economy market with its upcoming premium economy product, known as Premium Comfort. While the airline has offered extra-legroom seating and enhanced regional products in the past, this new long-haul offering represents a step change.

The carrier, based at Santiago de Chile’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), is scheduled to debut later this decade on the carrier’s fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft, and is designed to compete directly with the leading products offered by competitor carriers such as American Airlines and Iberia.

Among the destinations served non-stop by LATAM with 787s from Santiago are Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD), New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Sydney Airport (SYD), Miami International Airport (MIA), Auckland Airport (AKL), Melbourne Airport (MEL), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). On these long flights, the extra comfort offered by premium economy will undoubtedly be welcomed by many passengers.

LATAM’s new product promises more width and recline than in standard economy class, alongside an updated cabin aesthetic that aligns with the carrier’s broader fleet modernization. Early details indicate large 16-inch 4K entertainment screens, Bluetooth audio connectivity, and USB-C charging at every seat, with these technology upgrades reflecting the expectations of today’s long-haul passengers, who increasingly prioritize connectivity and high-definition in-flight entertainment.

LATAM intends to elevate the experience with upgraded dining, enhanced amenities, and priority ground services. Premium Comfort passengers can expect dedicated check-in counters and priority boarding, reinforcing the sense of a distinct cabin rather than simply extra-legroom economy seating. Commercially speaking, LATAM’s investment signals growing demand across South America’s intercontinental routes, which are often among the longest non-stop routes in many airlines’ networks.

EVA Air

From the first-ever premium economy product to one of the best

Credit: EVA Air

As the airline that pioneered premium economy, EVA Air continues to refine the concept more than three decades after its introduction. The carrier’s latest generation of premium economy seats, installed on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, demonstrates how far the cabin has evolved. It is clear that, rather than treating premium economy as an afterthought, EVA Air has consistently positioned it as a flagship product in its own right.

One standout feature of EVA Air’s newest premium economy seats is their generous pitch, which stretches up to 42 inches, combined with a cradle-style recline mechanism. This design allows the seat to slide forward as it reclines, minimizing intrusion into the passenger behind while offering up to eight inches of recline. The result is a noticeably more comfortable resting position, particularly valuable on long-haul routes from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to North America and Europe.

Beyond the hard product, EVA Air enhances its premium economy experience with thoughtful finishing touches. Seats include large high-definition screens, adjustable headrests, footrests, privacy panels, and ample storage space. Meanwhile, dedicated premium economy meal service, upgraded amenity kits, and attentive cabin service help reinforce the sense that this is a carefully curated product rather than a simple upsell from economy class.

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Emirates

A relative newcomer to premium economy

Credit: Emirates

For years, Emirates was one of the few truly global carriers without a premium economy cabin, but all that changed with the airline’s high-profile introduction of the product, first appearing on selected Airbus A380 aircraft and later expanding across its fleet of Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-900 aircraft, too. The rollout has since become one of the most significant retrofit programs in the industry, bringing premium economy to more routes each year.

Emirates’ seats are arranged in a spacious 2-3-2 configuration on its Airbus A350-900s, and 2-4-2 on its A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs, offering up to 40 inches of pitch and nearly 20 inches of width. The seats feature generous recline, six-way adjustable headrests, calf and footrests, and a dedicated side cocktail table. Large in-flight entertainment screens and in-seat charging ensure the product aligns with Emirates’ reputation for advanced technology and a premium onboard experience.

The design of Emirates’ premium economy cabin clearly borrows elements from the airline’s premium cabins, with cream leather upholstery and wood-grain accents creating a refined environment. Onboard dining includes upgraded meal presentations served on china tableware, while passengers benefit from priority check-in and boarding in many markets.

Emirates is continuing to expand the product to more Airbus A380s, Boeing 777s, and new Airbus A350 aircraft on flights to and from its hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB). As such, premium economy is becoming a central part of its long-haul offering.

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American Airlines

A solid offering from the world’s largest airline

Credit: American Airlines

Among US carriers, American Airlines has invested steadily in refining its premium economy experience. The airline first introduced the cabin on widebody aircraft in the mid-2010s, and it now appears on its Boeing 787-9 and 777-300ER fleets. More recently, the oneworld carrier has also integrated premium economy into new aircraft types, including the Airbus A321XLR, extending the product to thinner long-haul routes.

American Airlines’ premium economy seats offer increased width, expanded legroom, and adjustable headrests and footrests. The seats are arranged in a dedicated cabin, providing a quieter and more exclusive environment than standard economy. High-definition seatback entertainment screens, power outlets, and USB charging come standard, catering to both business and leisure passengers. The layouts of its premium economy-equipped jets are detailed in the table below.

Service enhancements further distinguish the experience, as premium economy passengers receive priority check-in, security screening where available, and Group 4 boarding. Once onboard, the airline provides chef-inspired meals, complimentary beer, wine, and spirits, and amenity kits on long-haul routes. While the product may not be as lavish as some international competitors, it delivers a solid balance of comfort and value within the US market.

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Air France

Refined French luxury in the skies

Credit: Air France

Air France has rebranded and refreshed its premium economy cabin under the simplified name Premium, reflecting its ambition to elevate the category. The SkyTeam airline’s newest seats are being installed progressively across its long-haul fleet, including the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9. The redesign focuses on comfort, aesthetics, and a distinctly French touch.

Air France’s updated premium economy seats offer 37 to 38 inches of pitch and a recline of up to 124 degrees. Adjustable footrests and multi-position headrests help passengers find a comfortable posture for sleeping or relaxing, and the seats are wider than those in economy and feature improved cushioning, contributing to a more restful long-haul journey to and from the carrier’s primary hub at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG).

Air France complements the hard product upgrades with refined onboard service, and passengers are welcomed with a glass of Champagne on many routes and enjoy multi-course meals inspired by French culinary traditions. Amenity kits, noise-reducing headphones, and upgraded tableware reinforce the sense of a differentiated experience. As more aircraft receive the new cabin, Air France’s Premium class is becoming a consistent and competitive offering across its global network.