The selling proposition of premium economy is that it offers a much-improved experience compared to economy, but it isn’t dramatically different and is therefore cheaper than lie-flat business class seats. While a suite with lie-flat beds may be more desirable on long 16-hour flights, premium economy is particularly popular on medium-to-long-haul transatlantic flights. As such, demand is also generally high for premium seating products on routes from the United States to Europe.

With premium economy being more popular than ever, airlines have embraced the cabin and therefore need to differentiate. While the differences between competing premium economy cabins are not as stark as in business class, where various airlines select striking designs and incorporate innovative features, airlines still try to offer different experiences to encourage customers to choose them over a competitor. Within this market, there are some carriers that truly stand above the rest.

5

Lufthansa’s Premium Economy

Wide Seats On The Airbus A350

Credit: Shutterstock

In general, Lufthansa offers a fairly standard premium economy experience. It offers this cabin on all of its widebody airliners, installing the ZIMmagic on most aircraft with 38 inches (96.5 centimeters) of pitch, and unlike most airlines, Lufthansa does not install partitions between economy and premium economy.

On the Airbus A350-900, however, Lufthansa is notable for configuring premium economy in a seven-abreast layout, whereas almost every other airline installs eight premium economy seats per row on the A350. The result is that the German flag carrier’s A350s only have one middle seat per row in premium economy, while also offering seats that are 19 inches (48 centimeters) wide rather than the standard 18.5 inches (47 centimeters).

This extra space does make a difference on long flights. In addition, Lufthansa’s A350s have wider aisles in premium economy than other airlines, improving service flows and making it easier for passengers to walk without bumping into other seats. Lufthansa’s new A350s with the Allegris cabin still feature the seven-abreast layout, using the ZIMPrivacy PC-02 fixed shell seat.

These seats feature improved privacy along with a 19.5-inch (49-centimeter) wide seat, one of the widest premium economy seats in the world. In addition, the new seats offer larger 4K screens and USB-C charging, and are also available on SWISS’s A350s, while the ZIMPrivacy PC-02 is also installed on Lufthansa’s Boeing 787-9s. However, they are narrower on the 787 as it still features a seven-abreast layout despite the narrower fuselage.

4

Air France’s Premium Economy

Rapidly Improving Food And Excellent Service

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Air France offers premium economy on all of its widebody airliners. The carrier uses the Safran Airgo FX fixed shell seat on its Airbus A330s, high-density Boeing 777-300ERs, and Boeing 787-9s, while its four-class 777-300ERs with the old La Premiere seat are equipped with the similar Collins Aerospace Icon fixed shell seat. Air France’s remaining Boeing 777s, along with its high-density Airbus A350-900s, are equipped with the Recaro PL3530 recliner seat, while the carrier’s premium A350s feature the similar Collins Aerospace MiQ.

Air France generally configures its premium economy seats with 38 inches (96.5 centimeters) of pitch, which is standard in the industry, and its seats are about as wide as those offered by other airlines. In addition, the technology on Air France’s seats is up to standards for 2026, but not class-leading, and the carrier doesn’t install privacy wings on its seats either.

It’s notable that Air France installs fixed-shell and standard recliner seats on its fleet. This can be a divisive topic given the benefits and drawbacks of each seat design, although the carrier appears to be favoring recliners today.

Air France has recently upgraded its premium economy catering, which contrasts with its original strategy of essentially offering economy meals in nicer plating. Meals are planned by Michelin-starred French chef Frédéric Simonin while being plated in upgraded dishes and served with metal cutlery. In addition, Air France also has a robust wine selection for premium economy passengers and serves champagne as well, along with high-quality bedding and amenity kits.

3

United Airlines’ Premium Plus

Ushering In The Next Generation Of Premium Economy

Credit: United Airlines

United Airlines uses the Collins Aerospace MiQ for Premium Plus on all of its widebodies, apart from its 23 Boeing 777s configured in a high-density layout for domestic flights. Its latest Boeing 787-9s are being delivered with the new ‘Elevated Interior’ and a premium-heavy layout that includes updated Premium Plus seats, although they’re still based on the Collins MiQ.

These aren’t the flashiest premium economy seats in the world, but the new seats are among the most functional premium economy seats in the industry. The seats feature a standard 38 inches (96.5 centimeters) of pitch, along with a massive 16-inch (40.6-centimeter) 4K OLED display. The displays are Bluetooth-capable, and the seats include USB-C charging along with a wireless charging pad.

In addition, these seats feature a full-height privacy divider, rather than the headrest wings that have become increasingly popular, along with an integrated reading light. Furthermore, each seat includes dedicated water bottle holders for each passenger under the armrest. The Elevated 787-9s are already operating from San Francisco to London-Heathrow and will begin serving Zurich from San Francisco later in 2026.

Coded as ’78L’, United eventually plans to operate at least 33 examples, and they will serve to replace the carrier’s premium Boeing 767-300ERs in the ’76L’ layout, which primarily operate to European destinations with high business demand. In the long term, future 787-9s with a denser layout and future 787-10s will also feature the updated Premium Plus seats.

2

Emirates’ Premium Economy

One Of The World’s Best And Most Expensive Premium Economy Seats

Credit: Shutterstock

Emirates began operating flights with premium economy in 2022, and it’s been lauded as one of the best premium economy products in the world. However, on the surface, the seat isn’t much different apart from the colors and finishes. Emirates uses the Recaro PL3530, a popular recliner model, and it has a 13.3-inch (33.7 centimeter) screen, which is the same size that the carrier uses in its economy seats.

However, it does configure premium economy with 40 inches (101.6 centimeters) of pitch rather than the standard 38 inches, and its seats offer slightly more recline than competitors. As a whole, Emirates dedicates slightly more room to each premium economy passenger than other airlines. Emirates’ premium economy seats on the Boeing 777 feature the same seat width as those on other airlines.

However, the carrier configured premium economy seven-abreast on the Airbus A350, making it one of only a handful of airlines to do so, alongside the aforementioned German flag carrier Lufthansa. This allows Emirates to install seats that are 19.5 inches (49 centimeters), and the carrier’s seats on the Airbus A380 also maintain this same width due to the A380’s wider fuselage. In addition to pure space, Emirates’ premium economy has been lauded for the quality of the catering.

Indeed, the carrier serves multi-course meals from a rotating menu with regional themes, and it also offers a diverse complimentary wine selection, including select options from business class. Emirates is also known for generally providing excellent service, further elevating this product. The catch, however, is that Emirates tends to price premium economy extremely high, charging among the highest fares of any airline for this cabin on average.

1

The Best Premium Economy Across The Atlantic

Consistently Ranked Number One

Credit: Virgin Atlantic

SkyTrax ranked Virgin Atlantic’s premium economy number one in the 2025 World Airline Awards, meaning that Virgin Atlantic’s product is the best in the world. When you look at the seat, however, it doesn’t appear special, as the Airbus A350 and A330neo fleets are equipped with a standard version of the Collins MiQ, while the A330-300 and Boeing 787-9 feature older seat models.

The seat pitch is set at 38 inches (96.5 cm), while Virgin Atlantic configures the A330 and 787 at seven-abreast, and the A350’s premium economy cabin is configured eight-abreast. However, where Virgin Atlantic really shines is with catering, as the airline is also ranked as having the world’s best catering for premium economy.

The meals are consistently high-quality with large portions, and Virgin Atlantic also has a thorough drinks selection. In addition, the carrier is also renowned for delivering consistently attentive and engaging service, which further elevates its product.

Virgin Atlantic is actively phasing out its A330-300 fleet, while it plans to retrofit its Boeing 787-9s with new interiors from 2028 to 2030. This means that soon, all of its aircraft will feature modern, up-to-date premium economy seats that better match the world-class service delivered by flight attendants. In addition, these retrofits will see Virgin Atlantic finally phase out its infamous herringbone Upper Class seats, which have become outdated and lack privacy.