British Airways Premium Economy

I don’t recall it being that much per person, but we fly from BWI and mostly to London. The earlier you book the less it costs for premium economy. Booking closer to your travel date is when the upgrade costs more. For us, the 8” extra of legroom makes a huge difference. The person in front of you can put back their seat without knocking over your drink or pushing the video screen almost into your face. Also, if in the middle seat, one can still get up and go to the restroom without pulling on the chair back in front. The seats are a little wider, you get better headsets for viewing movies, plus a little packet containing socks, toothbrush and toothpaste. The meal comes on ceramic plates with stainless flatware rather than all plastic. I think the meals are a step up from regular economy. Finally, you board before the other economy class so there’s no trouble with overhead bin space. Whether it’s worth it for you, only you can decide.

I've flown BA twice on short flights from Heathrow-once to Lisbon and once to Dublin. I was in coach and it was miserable-on one flight the AC wasn't working well and they ran out of the water they had FOR SALE before they reached my row. I wouldn't fly any class with them that included a segment in coach.

First, check to see the cabin arrangement. If it's a separate area like on Virgin and you get more room, you will be much more comfortable after a long flight. The cost is a factor. As I get older being cramped into coach is not fun on long haul flights.

$2200 seems a lot of money for PE. I paid slightly more for business from London to Barbados with BA. I've not actually flown PE but I have checked out the product and it's not worth $1000 extra in my opinion.

I have flown British Airways coach, British Airways Premium Economy, and British Airways Business Class. The planes that I have flown on have Premium Economy as its own space on the plane. You have extra space, it is quieter, not as much of a fight for the bathroom, and I think there were a few perks on the meals.

Here is a link to a video where they compare 4 different classes on the same British Airways Flight. You might find this helpful in making up your mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTCQT2tkj40

I've flown PE on BA several times in the past and it was definitely a step up from regular economy -- more so than on Lufthansa, Delta, and other carriers that I recall. I don't remember the food, which isn't that important to me, but there was definitely more legroom and seats were wider. That matters to me on a long flight, but maybe not an extra$1100 worth. Surprised to see it costing twice as much as economy.

I'd be thinking about spending $4400 more for four people to get more comfortable seats and maybe better meals over an 8-10 hour flight. That money would buy a lot of great meals, great accommodations, private guides, all sorts of enhancements for a trip to Italy over multiple days.

We routinely upgrade to BA premium economy (or World Traveler Plus in BritAirSpeak) on our flights from Denver to Heathrow, but the added cost isn't as punishing as what you're being quoted. In our particular case the aircraft is a 777, but I noticed that seat dimensions (pitch, width, etc) are the same as the 787's they fly from Portland.
Might be worth checking seat guru for cabin layouts and customer comments to see if it'll to be worth it to you versus just paying a little extra for an exit row back in steerage. After all, it isn't going to make much difference if you plan (and are able) to sleep on the flight going over.

When I booked the flights I took this winter the PE was only slightly more than straight Economy. But looking for this summer and fall, I've been seeing spreads between the two more in line with the $1,100 you're describing. (I'm mostly on Iberia or AA, but they're effectively the same business with BA for the purpose of transatlantic pricing strategy.)

One option I always look at is the cost of a better cabin on my eastbound, overnight, starting vacation flight, combined with the cheaper seat on the daytime trip home.

If you can put up with coach for 10 or so hours, you get a trip now and a free one later ... those flying in PE get there at the same time as those flying in coach ... or here's another way to look at it ... 10 hours of being uncomfortable with a bad meal vs 7/14/21 days of more comfort and better meals ... no brainer.

many people are confusing economy + with premium economy.

Not sure that is necessarily so.

The real problem is each airline has its own terminology for the various levels of 'economy' seating they might offer. ( Anything that is not 1st Or Business class)

Only you know the value you derive.

Your city says Portland. Assuming that is Oregon, and going nonstop across the U.S. and the Pond, there is much more value for the added expense. But if I was flying Boston to London there is less value.

So someone above said they are Portsmouth. If that is New England, the extra $1000 is huge. But with the extra several hours of flight from Oregon you will derive more value.

Why is the price per hour of comfort you are willing to pay?

Can only speak for Delta, but since covid meals in Premium Select are the same as economy. Chatter that this might revert back to better meals later this year. Anyone interested can venture over to Flyertalk for the latest info...and plenty of complaining.

Another option is to buy economy and wait closer to the departure date and upgrade to PE. It's a risky option but I've had success in the past. I've just upgraded my upcoming flight to Barbados from business to first for just over £2k for four flights, a few weeks ago BA were quoting over £10k to upgrade them. Obviously it depends on availability but if the seats aren't selling then BA will reduce the upgrade cost as the departure date approaches.

Thank you everyone for the feedback. Flights seem to be going up daily. Normally I would wait until we get closer to see if pricing comes down on PE, but this year is an unusual year due to inflation, pilot shortages and recovering financially from the pandemic shutdowns. I am going to book the Economy fairs from PDX and then see if something opens up as we get closer. It is a risk, but it’s lot of money. I definitely prefer to lay flat on this flight, but not at $4,500 a person. It’s a no brained when it’s a mileage flight. The routing is pretty fantastic though, so I like this flight. PDX to London to VCE. Very convenient and relatively quick.