What is the difference between premium economy and business class?
Air travel should be an exciting and pleasant experience, especially when it is spent in the right environment that suits our taste. Business class and premium economy class offer different services and practical extras each of which is designed to make our flight as comfortable as possible. These two travel classes share some common characteristics but in general they are different from each other.
Let’s check out what each and both of these travel classes offer and their different features.
Pros and cons of premium economy class
Premium economy class (also known as elite economy class/economy plus class) is at the part of the airplane seating that stands between economy and business class. It can be either at the front of economy class or at the back of business class.
Sometimes premium economy class seats are positioned towards the front of the cabin so that passengers can exit easily. It can be separated by a soft curtain from the other travel classes.
It’s a relatively new travel class that it’s gaining popularity and still developing in terms of its offering as airline companies are trying to incorporate next-generation technologies making the flights more comfortable.
Premium economy flights combine some of the features of regular economy and business class. Premium economy class seats are generally more wider (1-2 extra inches of seat width,2-3 inches of seat recline) and passengers get dedicated cabins.
The leather seating on premium economy class offers more space in comparison to standard economy class seats and for this reason is found more preferable for long-haul flights. The seats on premium economy class flights are adjustable and they are also fitted out with headrests, legrests and also offer lumbar support for the passenger’s body.
The seats on some premium economy flights even offer additional leg rest (usually offering around 5-7 inches of legroom) and have higher degrees of recline than standard coach seating which provides the passengers with more comfort during long flights.
There are free drinks, meals of premium quality and in-flight entertainment available also on premium economy flights such as large personal TV screens, power pots for laptops that enable passengers to work when traveling.
Other advantages of this travel class include the existence of power outlets and USB ports and also fast Wi-Fi on board. Small details like these definitely make a difference and make our flight more comfortable.
There are also built-in large-sized video screens on the seats offering the passengers many on-demand opportunities for entertainment during their journey. The number of premium economy services vary between the different airline companies. Some airlines offer fast luggage check upon landing.
The crews servicing economy class flights be either from economy class or from business class cabin. Premium economy flights offer perks like priority check-in and boarding, priority baggage claim. The passengers of premium economy flights are offered blankets, pillows, soft and warm towels and sometimes essential toiletries kits.
The food options can be either close to those on economy class flights or similar to those available on business class flights. The menu selection is definitely richer than this offered on regular economy class.Their design and ingredients are similar to those offered on business and economy class flights.Sometimes a separate food menu is offered on-board.
There are different refreshment drinks offered on premium economy class.
Premium economy class is great for those passengers who have a limited travel budget and who feel well without certain special perks during their flight.It provides us generally with more personal space,more room for luggage.
Pros and cons of business class
Business class flights fall in the category of high-class travel and the flights offer services with superior quality. With business class every passenger is guaranteed to have a smooth and pleasant airplane journey. If you have travelled with economy class until now, transitioning to business class will make you feel pampered.
It offers services that are one level higher quality than premium economy class. Generally, business class seats offer more legroom than premium economy seats. One of the fantastic advantages of this travel class many long-haul passengers love are flat-bed seats.
Business class tickets are more expensive than regular economy class tickets but the flights’ offering is really worth the price.
Business class seats can lie completely flat and passengers are offered free pajamas on some flights . So there is no doubt that business class flights are generally preferred for flying overseas.
There is an aisle access to them and there is also an extra space where passengers can work and an ample baggage storage space. Some business class seats have even private pods offering more privacy and relaxation to the customers.
The food on business class flights has a better quality than this offered on premium quality class flights. On business class customers are offered a selection of fine wines and spirits. The food is served on fine quality dinnerware sets and there is a variety of condiments and sweeteners.
The food options available on business class menus can satisfy even those with more exquisite taste. Depending on the carrier and the route, some business class flights feature also gourmet dishes and stand-up bars where passengers can choose from a variety of cocktails and have a chat with the other passengers.
Another great service some airline companies offer their customers on business class flights is a chauffeured drive from the airport lounge to the airplane, and an option for bringing additional luggage and a separate terminal.
Thanks to its upgraded seats business class certainly offers great travel experience to the customers that is relatively affordable but it doesn’t make a compromise with the quality.
The perks that business class offers give the customers more sense of exclusivity and comfort during their air travel. They are offered a glass of champagne on arrival and get VIP attention during their flight. There are airline companies that offer their customers access to private airport lounges that have free drinks, snacks and a quiet area for working or relaxation.
What business and premium economy class have in common?
Both travel classes offer perks like easy:
- priority check-in and boarding
- security check lines
- priority luggage handling
- airplane cabins that offer more space and privacy to the passengers
- entertainment options during the flight
- personal attention from the flight attendants
- tasty food with better quality than economy class
All of these perks add more comfort and convenience to the overall flight experience of the passengers. Another thing that determines the differences between business and premium economy class is the model of the airplane.
One of the main advantage of premium quality flights is their cheap price of course. The thing premium economy flight services lack is probably more perks on the ground. These include services like quick luggage handling and priority luggage claim, free wait lounge pass for the passengers.
Business class flights on the other hand offer more perks both in-flight and on the ground. However the number of perks business class flights offer vary depending on the airline companies so keep that in mind.
In business class you can really enjoy a good night’s sleep when traveling, while in economy class you may not be able to sleep so comfortably given the seats cannot fully recline. If you want to get maximum comfort during your flight, business class flights are perfect for you.
Which travel class is better?
When it comes to price, business class tickets are more expensive than first class tickets but you can get great deals if you research enough. This is probably the only downside of getting a business class ticket.
The prices largely depend on the airline company. The price difference between the two travel classes is around 65%. But there are cheap business class seat sales that everyone can score all year round and enjoy luxury air travel on a budget.
If you a frequent flier and you spent a considerable time flying around the globe, then business class flights are made for you. And by using air travel services often, you can get good deals for business class flights.
Business class flight services may seem expensive but if you are flying often, you should know that airline companies offer special discounts to customers like you.
If you are rather searching for a comfortable and budget-friendly way to travel, premium economy class is great for you. The main disadvantage of premium quality class is that it isn’t available at every airline company. Depending on the carrier, sometimes we may spend some part of our flight traveling in economy class.
Both premium economy and business class offer different amenities that make the flight pleasant for the customers. By comparing these travel classes we are not saying that one of them is the worse choice.
What we mean is that every travel class, either business or premium economy, offers different services and has its own positive sides. Your choice mainly depends on your preference for comfort, what amenities you are used to and your personal travel budget.
