Premium Economy Anyone?

I agree that premium economy is often a disappointment. It varies greatly from airline to airline, and the seats, while usually more comfy, do not allow for perfect sleep either.
And even if they did... If I have to pay more than 1 day's salary + 1 night's accommodation for a more comfortable flight, then I'd rather just leave a day earlier and dedicate day 1 to recovering from the trip.
It is sometimes possible to score upgrades at a reasonable cost, though, in which case "why not".

The value of P econ vs. business class vs econ is largely dependent on the size -- mostly height - of the individual. 5'-4" in econ is probably fine but 6-4" is a different issue.

If they’re referring to Delta’s Premium Select, I wouldn’t pay the extra cost. But, if it’s the Premium Economy Comfort - the first rows in economy, it’s worth the extra cost to me. My legs tend to get sore on a plane, so those extra inches of legroom are worth it to me. Plus, I have had some tight connections where being able to get out of the plane earlier has really helped.

During the years that I traveled often both for work & a yearly vacation trip to Europe, I would sometimes get upgraded to first class on international flights. It really made a difference how much I felt rested after a good night’s sleep, but I would rather spend that money on something else, personally, so I have never purchased that level of comfort to fly.

Reading the price spreads on various routes and carriers between economy and premium, I tend to agree with the article's author that it isn't worth it. I haven't flown abroad since Dec 2019, and way back then the spreads in price were much tighter, sometimes just a couple hundred dollars more, and it was not much of a leap to pay up for premium economy. But like everything else these days, inflation, peak travel demand, and flight supply constraints have led to a huge price disparity between these seat classes. I haven't flown abroad in anything but premium economy since around 2011 or so, but it looks like I will have to deal with this when I do go again, and i really value the smaller cabin, the extra leg room (I am tall), and it makes a pretty big difference in how I feel physically upon arrival. i don't give a hoot about the meals upgrade, just the physical comfort of the seat and legroom.

If I have learned one thing from reading this forum over the years is that everyone's idea of what adds value to a trip is different. Perhaps that is because our needs and our resources are different?

You could take a random sample of 20 people and probably find 20 different ideas of what constitutes good value when flying.

It’s worth it to me for the long haul portion of our international flights from the west coast. I choose the two seats on either side and not in the middle four. I do agree with the points guy that the meals aren’t any different from the economy class meals but having that bit of extra space is great especially when I look back at the economy section.

One thing I can't say for sure is that I won't do business or first class again to and from Europe. While upper class on Virgin Atlantic was nice, it just wasn't worth the exorbitant cost. But I will splurge on premium economy to get on and off earlier, have more room around my seat, and other perks. The key is to book early and I'm so glad I booked my fall flight last November given the increase in the cost of fuel and travel in general. $800 then vs. $1400 now for premium economy on the same non-stop flight between Chicago and Charles de Gaulle.

Yes, I read that article and it reminded me why I have yet to purchase premium economy — I have yet to find it anywhere near remotely affordable for the tickets I have looked for.

As mentioned upthread different people have different thoughts on what has value and importance. Many things others find value in (both travel and real life, lol!) don't appeal to me.

To me, Premium Economy on Delta is worth it as is Delta One if affordable.

I did Delta One going to Europe in April. I didn't get the sleep I thought I might get because the older lady in front of me talked the whole flipping night. What I DID find valuable was that there were fewer in that cabin AND you didn't have everyone brushing by you as they loaded. I also liked being able to access the Delta Sky Club on my Seattle layover. Again, out of the flurry of many people.

I'm doing Delta One coming home from Rome in the Fall. It's a 10 hr flight from Rome to Atlanta, a 4.5 hr layover there and another 4.5 hours Atlanta to Spokane. For myself, the extra room on the flights plus the probably access to the Sky Club was attractive to me and worth the expense.

I did Delta Select on the way home in May and didn't really like that. The seat trays are in the arm rest which makes it awkward and cuts down on the width of the seat. I also like to be able to raise the arm to get out easier especially since the passenger in front of me reclined to the max for the entire trip. Yes, I was rude and pulled on his seat back each time I needed to get up. Passive-aggressive, much? Yes, I am slightly ashamed for stooping to crabby behavior.

My travel years are diminishing - I figure I've got 5 good years left and then maybe just Paris and London, lol and I'm willing to go for what makes me comfortable.

We travelled on Lufthansa Premium Economy this past April From India to Frankfurt to DC.

Never again flying economy on international. The seats in the back are just way too cramped for long haul flights.

Lufthansa Premium Economy seats were almost as wide as Business Class, nice recline and ample leg space. it saved the day for me.

Cost was roughly mid-way between Business Class and Economy.

It's worth it for me. A smaller cabin and more legroom, and that the person in front of me won't lie in my lap. I will always pay extra for international PE.

I use to buy the upgrade, but in the past few years I have traded quality or quantity.

I figure I can suffer a few hours on a 2 or 3 week trip. But if money were no object; sure..... The past few years I have been flying Turkish Air almost all the time and they dont have a Premium Economy section anyway so that sort of made the decision for me; but you can purchase better seats if you want for about $120 on the long haul portion.

There really isn't a wrong answer to this.

But I do have one question; if you are flying premium economy is it better to have a backpack, two wheel or spinner carry on bag?

Again, highly personal, but after exactly one PE flight it has become the minimum service level for me. That said, understand that I'm based in Portland, OR, and west coast to Europe is a minimum of 10 hours (PDX/YVR/SEA to Europe is about 10, SFO to MUC/FRA is closer to 12). Yes, I could fly from the east coast, but that leaves 5-6 hours from PDX to/from the east coast to deal with.

I'm heading to Italy in September, and sprung for Business (PDX-ORD-ZRH-FLR / FCO-ZRH-ORD-PDX) with the PDX/ORD in United 1st and the rest in Swiss business/euro-business. Swiss recently up-gaged my ORD/ZRH legs from A330s to 777s, and I double-downed to get the "thrones." I've postponed / cancelled this trip since June 2020. I'm due. (Note I booked back in March when business was still affordable.)

But I do have one question; if you are flying premium economy is it better to have a backpack, two wheel or spinner carry on bag?

Thanks for the chuckle, James

It depends on the price. My flight to Germany allowed me to bump up to Premium Economy for 18,000 miles, so I did that. But I just booked a flight to Scotland and the upgrade would have cost me 61,000 miles this time. No thanks.

dplaunderville - exactly. I have lived through enough crap in my life and I dont need any additional stress. Hence its PE or better on international flights.