Anyone flown 'premium economy' ??

[dave_morgan]

Surely with all you offshore workers flying long distances every month, some of you must have sampled Premium Economy flights?? Are they close to Business Class, or are they jsut a standard seat with a bit more leg room?

Been offered some excellent fares on an upcoming trip, but want to check I'm gettting something worthwhile!

The airline is Chinese Eastern BTW !

Dave

[Johnny50]

Dave, we flew premium economy to Dominican Republic.

Not even close to Business Class sets etc...but there is more legroom, free drinks etc....

Cant remember who it was with though.

[st3ph3n]

Premium Economy is different things to different airlines. Some of them it can be simple things like the emergency exit seats. Some of them it's proper business/first class style section of the cabin with better seats, but how much better they are is entirely random really.

I've flown first, business, some sort of business first hybrid on American Airlines, and a few premium economy style seating arrangements too. Luckily I wasn't paying for them so I can't really comment on value for money, but as someone who is quite tall I can certainly say they were much appreciated, and that includes the most basic premium econonmy one that I flew.

[andy]

Virgin's Premium Economy is great. Champagne on arrival, decent recliners, plenty legroom etc. I'd be careful with a Chinese airline though - they're not noted as being the tallest of nationalities so their idea of extra legroom might not be the same as ours!

[dave_morgan]

<< I'd be careful with a Chinese airline though - they're not noted as being the tallest of nationalities so their idea of extra legroom might not be the same as ours! >>

LOL !!! Good point mate !!! It's the extra pampering I like, I have to admit - I'm not exactly a harlem globetrotter myself to be honest !!

Found this site after I posted the question though, which is quite useful. Just like you say Stephen, seems to depend very much on the airline.

http://www.westernair.co.uk/seatpitch.html

Typically the airline in question doesn't have any figures listed !! Consequently I've gone for the safe option and paid another £100 for a 'real' business class ticket with KLM just in case

[st3ph3n]

Ah the Royal Dutch Airlines. Business class = Shmoke and a pancake after take off. Visit to the red light cabin is optional.

I worked in the travel industry for a few years selling holidays, which was the worst job in the world to be honest, but it did let me rather saddly learn the configuration of a lot of different aircraft. As well as sampling a few myself too.