Premium Economy seats vs Basic Economy Seats

Is it an overnight flight? If it is, and if it’s within your budget to easily upgrade, then I would. Absolutely.

Is that $325 for both of you or $325 for each of you? If it’s $325 for both of you, then absolutely! I’m not sure what AA’s Basic Economy seats do or do not include, so you might want to compare the other services and fees that each seat type has - such as baggage fees, early check in, seat selection, etc. Compare the seat pitch (legroom) amounts as well.

American Airlines Premium Economy seats are definitely more comfortable than their economy seats. I would choose to upgrade for $325 a seat. In the last year, PE have gotten too expensive for me, but that sounds reasonable. Only you can decide if it's worth it to you.

If tmyou got the disposable income, sure. If not. Think of what $650 could purchase in Europe. Personally, I would rather have the money for fun things. I will stretch my legs in a nice wide seat and unlimited leg room and enjoy a Michelian Star restaurant with the $350. But I'm cheap.

I am 66 and up until last year crossed the atlantic 3, sometimes four times a year. If I had spent $350 extra that would have added up to more than the cost of another trip. Cant see spending $30 and hour for an inch. BUT, thats just me. I am poor folk compared to you guys. There is another thread about how people pay for all of their travel ..... flying cheap is part of my answer. Doesnt make it right or best or prefered, just what works for me.

I would. Premium Economy means a different, smaller cabin, usually with 2-3-2 seating (depending on the aircraft). So only are the seats wider and better spaced from the seats ahead, you have the chance to sit as a couple with no 3rd person next to you (assuming the window-aisle pair seats have not been taken already). And apparently on American you get some priority services. You can see the description of the two classes here:

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/seats/premium-economy.jsp

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/seats/basic-economy.jsp

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/travel-experience.jsp

The seats in premium economy are larger and are at least an inch wider with a steeper recline. Premium economy seats do not lie flat as the seats in business class do: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/seats/premium-economy.jsp

I would for that price, definitely. PE is a lot more comfortable. I don't sleep on planes, so I like to be as comfortable as possible so that I'm not both exhausted and feeling like I've been beaten.
Be warned, once you fly PE, you will not want to go back to regular economy.

I agree with kayla.p about never wanting to go back to Economy. One of the best things about PE is getting to board sooner so there will be room in the overheads for your carryon. I consider PE to be "an affordable luxury".

At our age we only fly PE anymore for the wider seats and more legroom. The person in front of you can put their seat back and not knock over your beverage and the window seat could still get out if needed to use the facilities. On British Airways one gets better headphones and (subjective) better food choices. The cabin is smaller and there’s a better chance of having sufficient overhead bin space because you get priority boarding.

Only you can decide if it’s worth the extra expense.

Yes, yes, yes! Even if it’s $325 each it’s worth it IMO. Wider seat and more legroom. I’m 5’9.5” and it’s noticeably more comfortable. If you are 6 ft, oh my yes. Plus what Lola said, 2 seats for couple seating: very nice and earlier boarding with overhead space assured.

We won't fly anymore cross Atlantic in less than PE seats. they are not unlike business seats 30 years ago -- wider, with leg or foot rests and some recline. The food is also better especially the breakfast. Where economy is eating some kind of horrifying 'wrap' before arrival American serves a nice assortments of foods for breakfast in PE. You also get full bar.

It is often about twice as much to book as economy so your upgrade is a better deal than we get booking from the beginning.

Sometimes we can upgrade to business from PE for a few hundred but while we did it half a dozen times earlier, post COVID we have never had the option -- the planes are flying full.

Depends on the value of money versus the value of a little more comfort. At 80. comfort it is. When I was 35 I would have opted for the money.

mhverde,
Yes, take this inexpensive upgrade. We have flown economy on many long hauls and manage, but last year as a splurge we bought premium economy for seven family members (including us) from the west coast to Paris. We paid full premium economy price but were happy to invest in this choice and will also find it hard to go back to regular economy, at least for flights of miore than four hours or so.
A few years back we used points for a business class flight to Chile and it was deluxe with all the bells and whistles. Very enjoyable! But premium economy at far less than business or first class prices would be my choice from now on. By the way, this was on Air France. (The business class was LAN Chile.)
Bon voyage! Amusez-vous bien!

My husband and I had the opportunity to upgrade to premium economy on a Lufthansa Toronto to Frankfurt flight recently and it was so much better than what we have experienced flying economy. If you can afford it do it! Especially if it is an overnight flight. It was much more comfortable and spacious.

Janettravels - My companion and I were just upgraded from PE to Business - ANA. Last summer, same thing on SAS. Maybe there is hope yet for ORD - Paris flights. (I'll have my opportunity to see in the fall.)

To the OP - I would upgrade, but my preference is not "right" with others "wrong"!

Once you're not 25 anymore, get the better seats

Is it worth it? Will the seats be a lot more comfortable?

A bigger seat, more recline and leg rests will undoubtedly make for a more comfortable flight. With all the other perks that come with PE hard to see any downside to the upgrade.
If the extra $325 ( $650?) is going to break the bank, might as well get it over with and stop fretting about going broke. :-)

"Is it worth it?"

For me the answer would be yes.

For you.... You have to answer that

For all of the reasons listed above, premium economy is definitely worth it to me. But that is your decision.

I looked up what I think is your flight (4:20 pm departure?) to see what the plane layout is like.
It is a rather challenging 3-4-3 layout in coach.
The premium economy is 2-4-2. So if you decided to go for it, make sure you are on either side with the 2 seats. I don't think it would be worth it to me to sit in the middle section.

If you decide against it, in coach in the last few rows there are some 2 across options on either side of the plane. If those are available the extra charge for those seats would be considerably less and you wouldn't be sharing a row with a stranger. Enjoy!

It would be a no brainer yes for me. Last year I was upgraded to Premium Economy free for the trip to Munich. Wish I could afford PE tickets for every trip.