To relieve tired long-haul travelers without breaking the bank, EVA Air quietly introduced a never-before-seen class between coach and business 30 years ago, creating a sense of survival during the 12-hour journey across the Pacific. The minimal fare difference made it a hit with passengers who enjoyed the extra breathing room, and many of its competitors quickly followed suit. Today, it is a common option among many carriers around the globe.

Currently, premium economy is considered by many to be the sweet spot of flying and not just an experiment. The ‘big three’ of the US, as well as carriers like JAL and Emirates, each offer unique variations with priority boarding, amenity kits, and even special menus available as an affordable extra. For many airlines, it is a profitable product. This class provides comfort at such a good value that many US airlines are retiring international first class.

Defining Premium Economy

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EVA Air launched premium economy in the early 1990s with the goal of offering long-haul passengers a more comfortable option at a price point between business and economy classes. The idea was created to bridge the gap between economy class budget seating and business class’s slightly extravagant costs, targeting the long-haul flyers.

Wider seats, more legroom, and improved service are the hallmarks of premium economy. Some carriers separate the seating in the cabin more than others, and the exact upgrades vary from airline to airline. Carriers have been improving the premium economy experience over time as demand has remained steady by introducing features like priority boarding, amenity packages, and even improved meal service.

The growth of premium economy is also indicative of a larger pattern in which travelers prioritize comfort and a quality experience over price. Thanks to its ever-increasing popularity, premium economy has even superseded first class as a cabin product by many airlines. Carriers are constantly tailoring their products to suit the tastes of their customers in order to stay profitable in an industry notorious for its razor-thin profit margins.

The Airlines That Offer Premium Economy

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Japan Airlines took home the 2024 Skytrax Awards’ World’s Best Premium Economy Class title. The ‘big three’ US airlines, American, Delta, and United, were contenders as well, alongside carriers famed for luxury, like Singapore Airlines and Emirates. JAL’s premium economy offers roomy seats with a 42-inch seat pitch, a built-in footrest and calf rest, a 38-inch seat pitch, and a 19.5-inch breadth.

Emirates is increasing its availability on more aircraft, particularly the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777, while Main Cabin Extra, Premium Select, and Premium Plus are competing airfare classes offered by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Each provides more legroom and wider seats than economy class, making them a step-up at a manageable cost. The table below details a list of carriers serving the US that offer premium economy, as compiled by Forbes.

In 2024, Japan Airlines (JAL) was named by Skytrax as a 5-Star airline for the seventh consecutive year. Edward Plaisted of Skytrax explained:

“This highest 5-Star Airline Rating for Japan Airlines is an excellent recognition of the high quality of the product and staff service experience that they provide to customers. An important part of 5-Star Airline Ratings is the consistency of standards delivered to all customers which covers all of the different cabin types that Japan Airlines offers. With the exciting new onboard products being introduced by Japan Airlines in 2024, we look forward to their continued progress and raising standards even higher.”

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What Motivated The Rise Of This New Class?

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In 1992, EVA Air introduced a premium economy cabin, initially called Economy Deluxe Class, with the aim of offering a more comfortable and amenity-rich experience at a lower cost than business class. Later named Evergreen Deluxe Class, it provided a 38-inch seat pitch, personal inflight entertainment displays, and improved meal service.

Eva Air has consistently been at the top of the field since then, with the latest iteration of this class announced in February 2025 with Eva Air’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Other airlines have adopted this strategy, and it has become a competitive airfare class around the world. Customers have shown a clear desire, and it has been more profitable than first class, leading to fewer and fewer aircraft made with first class cabins.

Offering the appropriate product for each market group to attract clients is a key component of an efficient pricing strategy for airlines. There have been more opportunities to improve onboard amenities as commercial passenger airplanes have become bigger and more sophisticated. Today, premium economy is a staple product that is featured on the majority of aircraft in the fleets of airlines that offer it, particularly long-haul operators.

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The Influence Of Business Class

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By generating demand for an intermediate choice, business class had a major impact on the emergence of premium economy. It developed as the lower and upper tiers were proven to be either too austere or too extravagant for most flyers. Business class was much more affordable than first class and offered a similar experience, but the cost threshold was still too high for many who sought more comfort than economy class.

Airlines started to offer more legroom, baggage, and check-in services, as well as inflight entertainment, as a means of encouraging travelers in economy class to upgrade. Carriers could make marginal changes above economy offerings and sell seats at double the price or more. Premium economy emerged as a preferred choice versus business class for corporate travelers as well, who were seeking a compromise between comfort and price.

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Certain Carriers Still Offer First Class

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First class flights in 2026 still provide an extravagant and luxurious experience with amenities including gourmet cuisine, giant entertainment displays, completely flat beds, and even private cabins. In 2026, privacy, fine dining, individualized service, landside lounges, and services are all major parts of what makes first class travel a cut above the rest.

Top first class experiences include the roomy A380 Suites on Singapore Airlines, the opulent suites and dedicated onboard shower on Emirates, and the Al Safwa first-class lounge in Doha on Qatar Airways. In Europe, the big hitters include the La Première suite on Air France, or the Allegris first-class suites on Lufthansa.

Despite its decline, many global airlines are still investing in first class cabins because of the continued demand. VIPs looking for the utmost in privacy and luxury fuel the growth in bespoke air travel. First class travel is a prestige symbol as much as it is an experience. Some airlines allow customers, like those with elite status, to exchange their miles for first class tickets.

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The Future Of Premium Economy

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As many airlines increase available seating in premium economy and concentrate on this class to boost revenue, it is predicted to keep rising in both supply and demand. It has become a crucial area for airline investment and strategic focus, since passengers are becoming more and more prepared to pay for enhanced comfort and amenities.

Airline fleet design, ground services, and revenue strategy are increasingly centered on premium economy. It is distinctly popular on long-haul flights, and to improve the traveler experience, airlines are concentrating on integrating technology into premium economy. Every carrier has its own unique style, which also makes it an exciting segment of the industry to watch for new developments.

The airline business is notorious for its unforgiving economics and thin margins at best. Business model errors have seen the rise and fall of many carriers. With creative seating, perks, and services, the competitive and creative trends have helped airlines draw in travelers. The role of premium economy on airlines’ increasingly ultra-long-haul flights is expected to be significant, maybe even taking over economy class cabin space on some carriers.