Which is the best airline to fly to Europe in Premium Economy? I have picked American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and Delta as the best airlines to travel transatlantic in Premium Economy.
American Airlines is new to the Premium Economy game and will launch its versions within the year. American Airlines has already started selling AA Premium Economy seats on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. These come high on my list because, unlike BA and Virgin, their products are brand new with new seating and technology. As a result, they have better products.
Delta Air Lines already offers Comfort Plus with extra leg room but has launched a complete Premium Economy cabin called Delta Premium Select on long-haul aircraft.
It is worth noting that United currently offers Economy Plus with a 37-inch seat pitch, five inches more than Economy. However, this currently has no other advantages over the normal economy seats, so it does not count as the full Premium Economy product is not included in this listing.
1. Delta Airlines Premium Economy
The facts: 19-inch seat width, 38-inch leg room, 7-inch recline free drinks, free food.
We like: adjustable legrests and headrests. The Westin Heavenly® In-Flight Blanket with a pillow. The TUMI amenity kit features Malin+Goetz Travel Essentials. The carefully created food was presented with Alessi service ware. The 13.3-inch, high-resolution in-flight entertainment screen, noise-canceling headphones, and in-seat power ports. The Sky Priority service includes faster check-in, accelerated security, priority boarding, and expedited baggage service.
We don’t like: The fact that we would prefer to be traveling in the new Delta One Business Suite.
2. American Airlines Premium Economy
The facts: 19-inch seat width, 39-inch leg room, free drinks, free food.
We like The more spacious cabin on the 777-200 arranged in three rows of 2-4-2 compared with the tight 10-wide seating in Economy (in a 3-4-3 layout). On the 787-9 Dreamliner, the layout is 2-3-2. The fact that the window seats are in twos ideal for couples. Priority boarding, reclining seats (although the recline is not noteworthy). Thick pillow and blanket, plus getting an amenity kit with noise-canceling headphones.
We don’t like: the 11.5-inch IFE touchscreen, which isn’t large.
3. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy
The facts: 21-inch seat width, 38-inch leg room, free drinks, free food.
We like: Priority boarding, wide reclining chairs with footrests, the enhanced menu offering served on china with stainless steel cutlery, the snack bar on the new 787 aircraft with free snacks and drinks that you can help yourself to, the fact you can book your seat on Virgin Flying Club miles which you can collect at Waitrose and earn via their credit card.
We don’t like: The very average legroom and the fact that some of their planes are older and offer a downgraded version of Premium Economy.
4. British Airways World Traveller Plus
The facts: 18.5″ seat width, 38-inch leg room, free drinks, free food.
We like Jolly British Airways Biggles pilots, the menu (three-course) with options from the business class menu served on china with linen napkins, and that it is easy to collect Avios at Tesco or with the Lloyds Avios credit card.
We don’t like: The lack of priority boarding, the thin seats at 18.5″, which are not very comfortable, and the very average legroom.
You may also be interested in our top 10 best Premium Economy airlines in the world.
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