Big article in today's WSJ about the explosive popularity in premium economy. I can't copy too much of it, but here are highlights:
Premium economy seats come with better meals and more seat width, legroom, recline and perks at a far cheaper fare than business class. The idea has taken hold everywhere but the U.S., where American, Delta and United have been focused on updating coach with slim seats and boosting business class to international standards.
In a sign of how cramped regular coach seats have become, fliers have shown themselves willing to pay $600 to $900 round trip for these add-ons.
Lufthansa and Singapore had been reluctant to install premium economy for many years. They worried coach passengers wouldn’t pay up and business-class customers would trade down. But Singapore and Lufthansa say they heard more from frequent fliers, travel agents and corporations that don’t pay for business class who wanted something better than coach and were willing to pay 50% more.
Now 15 of the 20 largest airlines that offer long international flights have installed premium economy cabins.
U.S. airlines say they are content to offer extra legroom, which travelers increasingly pay for, and don’t have immediate plans for full premium economy offerings. United says it is constantly evaluating whether to add elements beyond extra legroom. American says sales of it extra legroom seats, which cost $112 to $177 each way on long international flights, are “doing well.”