Main vs Premium seats on American

I mostly fly American, and usually choose Premium Economy for overnight to Europe flights, but save money on the daytime flights back home by choosing Economy extra. You do get a few more inches of leg room, nothing else.

Isn't the price shown on the seating chart? I have a teeny bit of status and can choose those seats so I don't see a price.

In recent years we've flown Delta almost exclusively. The comfort plus are always priced good amount more. My husband is 6-2. For now, except for when we were upgraded, we've only traveled main. We figure we can make due and spend our money on more travel! (We've been going to Hawaii once a year and Europe twice a year). I've traveled a lot with my kids. They are low key and will make due with most anything, just happy to travel.

I flew to South America in American Premium and it was well worth the money I spent to do so--which was not that much. I was offered an upgrade before the flight and hopped on it. Not sure about 5k, but it was a world better than Main Cabin Plus, which I fly regularly domestically. Those are cheap and are the bare minimum of comfort one should expect (certainly choose that at the very least at your heights). If you luck out and get an offer to upgrade, do not hesitate to do so (you can get back what you spent on main cabin seat assignments if you upgrade later).
If choosing for one leg or the other, some choose to prioritize arriving in comfort, and some choose to head home in comfort. It might depend on if I have to go to work the next day, that kind of thing.

Get exit row seats for the kids over 18 (?). For prices, go through the booking process and you will reach the seat selection page. You don't have to buy, but you will see the prices.

We’ve always been Basic Economy people, but this past summer we decided to upgrade to what American Airlines calls Main Cabin Extra. It was worth it to us for more legroom. I believe you also get alcoholic beverages (and maybe a checked bag) included, but the food and everything else is the same as regular economy. You also have the advantage of being a bit closer to the front of the plane for disembarking (in the past we’ve been in the very back of the plane). It was a couple hundred bucks more per person, I think, but we felt it was worth it. So we booked those type of seats for our trip in 2025. It seems unlikely we’d ever spring for Premium Economy so this is a good compromise.

Pretty sure you can either book as the Main Cabin Extra from the start or book in Economy and purchase the MC Extra seats separately. We did the math and the cost difference was negligible (we normally don’t check luggage).

Tall people on your first overnight flight to Europe - if you can afford it, I would definitely go with Premium Economy. Even if you don't get a wink of sleep, you will have more space, and better treatment, that you will in Main Cabin seats.

I have flown Preimim 15% of the time maybe, cheapo the rest. "Treatment" was always the same on every airline x 3 international a year x 20 years.

I've done better with cheap economy and good seat selection than with anything else. An aside seat in the center section with the opposite asike seat already sold. 90% of the time the center seats are empty. At checkin, look at the seats again and adjust if necessary. If there is an empty row, I grab it and use it for a bed.

I'm 6 foot, I fit in economy just fine. For me it was always about cheaper flights for more trips. I can survive a few hours in coach of it means another trip sooner, or the money saved for something special while on holiday.

Pay the money for the extra legroom at least for you and your husband. The kids are more adaptable. Avoid exit row seats as they often do not recline and even the paltry main cabin recline is better than nothing. The seat size is usually the same, it’s the legroom you are paying for. Look at the aircraft you will be flying. If they have a 2-4-2 or 2-5-2 such arrangement get the 2 seats on the side not the center section. Have a great trip!

The American flights PHL to/from Europe I have been on this year, and have reserved for 2025 all seem to have a 3-3-3 configuration in economy.