Flying Premium Economy is a step up from Economy, costing roughly 1.3x more on domestic flights and 1.45x more on international routes. You get extra legroom, tastier meals and a more comfortable journey overall.
What’s offered in each class depends on the airline, the route and how long you’re in the air. Read on for our guide to the key differences between Economy and Premium Economy, including what’s included in your ticket and how fares compare.
What is Economy Class?
That being said, every airline differs, so it’s worth checking which ones offer the most comfortable seats as standard.
Be aware that it’s also common to have to pay for extras like checked baggage, in-flight food and drink, and entertainment when you’re traveling in economy.
However, certain airlines will include some complimentary perks depending on the route and length of the flight (as a general rule, you’ll get more thrown-in on international flights than domestic ones).
What is Premium Economy?
Premium Economy sits between Economy and Business Class, both literally in terms of where you’ll find it on the plane, and price-wise when it comes to tickets.
It’s a great option for those who want a step up from Economy, but who can’t quite justify the price of a Business Class seat.
What is Economy Plus?
Just when you’d wrapped your head around Economy and Premium Economy, they throw a new one into the mix: Economy Plus. Economy Plus isn’t as deluxe as Premium Economy, but it does offer a superior experience at a more affordable price.
Unlike Premium Economy, which is generally separated from Economy, Economy Plus is still part of the main cabin. The main difference is that you have a better seat, with more legroom, and your seat will be right at the front of the cabin. There might also be more flexibility when it comes to making changes to your ticket.
The main airline to offer Economy Plus is United Airlines, where it’s generally available on all flights. Other airlines, like Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Singapore Airlines, have similar options. These often include extra-legroom Economy seats or “Comfort+” style products, that give passengers more space and sometimes additional perks without the full Premium Economy price. Check if your specific flight route offers these tickets at the time of booking.
The main differences between Premium Economy vs Economy & Economy Plus.
When it comes to the difference between Economy and Premium Economy, a lot depends on the specific airline you choose, but here are some of the main things you can expect:
Average prices: Economy vs. Premium Economy.
Based on KAYAK data, ere are the average prices for both Economy and Premium Economy on domestic and international flights:
Lowest and highest fare months by cabin class.
Disclaimer: These data insights are based on the analysis of searches made on KAYAK.com and associated brands. They cover bookings made between 2024-03-01 and 2025-08-31 for traveling between 2024-09-01 and 2025-08-31 on return flights.
What does Premium Economy look like on different airlines.
Now that you have understood the main differences between Economy, Premium Economy, and Economy plus, let’s check out the main amenities of premium economy offered by the main North American airlines.
American Airlines.
Premium Economy on American Airlines comes with a variety of perks compared to an economy ticket. On the ground, you’ll benefit from priority check-in, while up in the air you can expect wider seats with extendable footrests and headrests and more legroom, as well as ‘chef-inspired’ food.
There are larger screens for watching free on-demand entertainment, and passengers also get complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, as well as charging stations and USB ports.
Delta.
Delta’s Premium Economy class is known as Premium Select and only operates on international flights currently. Choose one of these tickets and you’ll get a wider seat with extra reclining capability and adjustable headrests and footrests to allow you to stretch out properly.
There’s a three-course meal served with stainless steel utensils, as well as better in-flight entertainment and a dedicated flight attendant.
United.
An Economy Plus fare on United will get a larger, more comfortable seat with better legroom, as well as two free checked bags and Premier Access, with dedicated check-in lines and exclusive security lines at certain airports.
Seats in this class also come with larger screens and noise-reducing headphones for watching in-flight entertainment, as well as upgraded meal options.
Virgin Atlantic .
Virgin Atlantic Premium offers wider leather seats and extra legroom for a more comfortable flight. Passengers enjoy priority check-in and boarding, along with upgraded dining that includes welcome drinks. Cheers!
British Airways.
British Airways’ World Traveller Plus features a separate cabin with larger seats and more recline. The service includes enhanced meals and amenity kits. Passengers can expect an all-around more relaxing and enjoyable journey.
Note: Some US carriers, like Alaska Airlines (Premium Class) and Hawaiian Airlines (Extra Comfort), offer extra-legroom economy products with perks. While not full Premium Economy class, they provide a middle ground for travelers wanting added comfort without breaking the bank.
How to get upgraded from Economy to Premium?
Although the majority of airlines would always rather see people pay for upgrades, there are generally a number of Premium Economy seats available at a discounted price at the gate. These are usually allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s always worth checking in to see what’s available as soon as you get to your gate.
As for free upgrades, these are usually awarded to those with the highest airline status. The higher your status (and number of points), the more likely you are to be gifted that upgrade. Popular loyalty programs include:
- United MileagePlus
- Delta SkyMiles
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- British Airways Executive Club
So, if you haven’t already, make sure you’ve signed up for the relevant schemes for whichever airline you fly with most frequently.
Premium Economy vs Economy FAQ
Naturally, the price difference depends on which route and airline you’re flying with, but typically you’d expect to pay around 30% more than for a Premium Economy ticket. If you’re flying across the country, it’s normal to pay an extra $100-$300 for an Economy Plus ticket, while Premium Economy will set you back at least $300 more than a standard ticket. If you’re flying internationally, you could pay as much as double the price of an Economy ticket. However, these figures will vary depending on things like how far in advance you book and how full the flight is. Use KAYAK’s Flight Search tool to find the best deals.
Premium Economy is a separate class with wider seats, more legroom, better meals and extra amenities like larger entertainment screens or priority boarding. Economy Plus (or Extra Legroom Economy) usually just offers more legroom and sometimes priority boarding, but doesn’t include the full set of perks that comes with Premium Economy.
No. Although many major international carriers provide Premium Economy, not all airlines have a dedicated cabin. Some smaller carriers or low-cost airlines only offer Economy or Economy Plus/Extra Legroom seats.
Availability depends on the airline. On most short-haul flights, Premium Economy is less common, but some airlines offer extra-legroom Economy products or limited Premium Economy seats even on shorter routes.
While there’s no doubt that Premium Economy offers a more, well, premium flying experience than Economy, the question here is how much you’re willing to pay for your ticket. It’s important to consider everything when deciding which airline class to book. If you’re very tall or suffer from issues in cramped spaces, that extra legroom could prove invaluable. If you’re traveling for a special occasion, like a honeymoon, those little luxury touches could be worth the cost. Or if you’re flying for work but your company won’t cover Business Class fares, you could suggest Premium Economy as a more affordable alternative.
