Biggest difference in between seat classes? Poll

[SOPOOR]

Ive now officially tried all classes but all on different airlines so the comparison is going to be harder,.
Ignoring how much each class costs

Which class difference is the biggest to you?

For me its Economy to Premi economy, biggest appreciation points are, you go from an upright horrible crowded seat to a almost flat seat, with same number of neighbours less intrusive, the food improvement is marginal though. You just feel a hell of a lot better when you land, entertainment system is the same, you get priority check in

Next is business to first, you get lie flat bed, food goes from very decent to top notch, everything improves a lot, except entertainment system

The least gap i feel is PE to Business, PE feels like a extra stop they put in between economy and business to make more money

Whats yours?

 

[justinbrett]

I don’t think you can make such sweeping statements as PE on one aircraft could be equal or even greater than business on another, even for the same airline. Same with business and first.

You‘ve proven my point saying you’ve flown PE that was almost lie flat but with marginally improved food from economy, I’ve never flown PE on an airline that’s even remotely lie flat, but I have flown in PE and been issued the same meals as business (albeit a smaller selection). So just goes to show that all airlines and aircraft are different.

 

[drron]

And of course on JAL PE gives you Sakura lounge access.
But my days of long haul Y and PE are way in the past and forgotten so for me the biggest change is J to F.

 

[dajop]

Pray tell can you advise which airline has premium economy seats that are "almost flat"?

 

[bashworth]

I don't really understand your ranking but from my long haul flights in 3 classes on Qantas over the last few years.
Premium Economy is slightly better than Economy, but Business Class is a lot better than Premium Economy.
I tried Premium Econmy on a flight to the UK last month and regreted it. I should have paid the extra.

 

[Forg]

Pray tell can you advise which airline has premium economy seats that are "almost flat"?

At least one of the Asia-based LCC's is, for example:

AirAsia Premium Flatbed | Affordable Seat Upgrade | airasia

Flying in comfort is now yours to enjoy with the Premium Flatbed. This spacious seat reclines to become a full flatbed when desired.

www.airasia.com

I'm less sure of this bit, but I think other LCC's have a very similar product but call it "business", but that's just marketing 'cos it costs like the above (or ScootBiz for example).

I don't really understand your ranking but from my long haul flights in 3 classes on Qantas over the last few years.
Premium Economy is slightly better than Economy, but Business Class is a lot better than Premium Economy.
I tried Premium Econmy on a flight to the UK last month and regreted it. I should have paid the extra.

The value-for-money & hence the "actual difference" varies between flights & between flyers, as well.

For example if you're flying from Straya to or from a lot of Asia, and can manage a daytime flight, then being able to lie flat isn't worth much & the vast majority of J meals are no better than an average $50 Sydney cafe meal ... so paying extra for J is a bit borderline. On top of that I've got mates who have an AmEx card for various reasons, and have access to AmEx lounges which are apparently worthwhile in a lot of airports - for them, that takes aware the remaining large plus of J during a daytime flight.

 

[dajop]

At least one of the Asia-based LCC's is, for example:

AirAsia Premium Flatbed | Affordable Seat Upgrade | airasia

Flying in comfort is now yours to enjoy with the Premium Flatbed. This spacious seat reclines to become a full flatbed when desired.

www.airasia.com

I'm less sure of this bit, but I think other LCC's have a very similar product but call it "business", but that's just marketing 'cos it costs like the above (or ScootBiz for example).


L

This would be the exception rather than the rule though. And it is called “Premium Flatbed” not Premium Economy.

Scoot years ago relabeled their PE product “ScootPlus”, so they don’t even call it PE and it has standard recliner seats, akin to Qantas 737 business class. Meanwhile over on Jetstar the product is known as Jetstar Business. So using these examples you could argue PE is better than Business.

But these are just fringe cases. Ask AFF’ers and most would think of PE as what you get on QF, NZ, SQ, EK, BA etc. Which is significantly different to business class on the same aircraft of the same carrier.

 

[Forg]

This would be the exception rather than the rule though. And it is called “Premium Flatbed” not Premium Economy.

Scoot years ago relabeled their PE product “ScootPlus”, so they don’t even call it PE and it has standard recliner seats, akin to Qantas 737 business class. Meanwhile over on Jetstar the product is known as Jetstar Business. So using these examples you could argue PE is better than Business.

But these are just fringe cases. Ask AFF’ers and most would think of PE as what you get on QF, NZ, SQ, EK, BA etc. Which is significantly different to business class on the same aircraft of the same carrier.

I certainly agree with you in context of the original post, was just answering the direct question.

I do think if we want to compare apples to apples it's a "premium economy" offering HOWEVER we're really comparing apples in an orange cart to apples in a rhubarb cart, so in context of the original post it's sorta not valid; ie. in terms of jump from one product to another. That airline doesn't HAVE a Business offering so it's a little irrelevant to consider the jump from economy level to their max level as comparable to the jump from Air NZ economy level to their mid-tier level.

As I said earlier, it's just so dependent on when & where & who. I get stabby & start murdering people if I'm made to stay up all night, so business in an overnight flight means a lot more to ME than it does to freaks that can sleep sitting-up with the frame of the seat in front cutting holes in their knees.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree with others. Not sure there’s any regularly offered PE seat that is anywhere near flat. ‘Domestic business’ is about as good as it gets.

I’m not a great fan of PEY. The rows are too close to really make it comfortable, especially when the person in front reclines. The biggest jump IMO is Y/PEY to business class. Upright to full flat.

 

[elanshin]

Also for reference, Y is also different products. JL bulkhead Y on a 2-4-2 seating 787 would pretty much be PE in many other airlines. In fact id argue there's more legroom than other PEs. The JL Y product is already ahead of a lot of other (even full service) Y.

Then you have scoot Y on the flip side. The upgrade from that to scoot+ is a lot wider than my previous example (which is probably why JL also gives lounge access to Y+).

Overall Y+ to J is likely the biggest difference.

 

[moa999]

But these are just fringe cases. Ask AFF’ers and most would think of PE as what you get on QF, NZ, SQ, EK, BA etc.

PE varies considerably on airlines (and I treat AirAsiaX, Scoot And JQ Biz) as PE.

The main difference to me is in the food and inclusions.
For some (like Qantas and Jetstar) it's Business class (different food) with metal cutlery, though normally single tray.

For others (Inc AirAsia, Scoot and even Lufthansa) the meals are more economy like, and often restricted to only a drink with meal.

How Different Airlines Approach Premium Economy Meals

The main thing that differentiates Premium Economy from one airline to the next is the onboard service - particularly drinks and meals.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

For me though the hard product is the biggest differentiator and on a long haul flight there is a massive gulf between a recliner and mostly fully flat bed (albeit with a foot cubby or narrow).

Also many airlines (but particularly Qantas) have pretty limited differentiation in food between First and Business (often just an extra choice or two and plated on better crockery)

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

The most consistent benefit is less hassle boarding and ease of finding overhead storage space.

 

[SOPOOR]

Agree with others. Not sure there’s any regularly offered PE seat that is anywhere near flat. ‘Domestic business’ is about as good as it gets.

I’m not a great fan of PEY. The rows are too close to really make it comfortable, especially when the person in front reclines. The biggest jump IMO is Y/PEY to business class. Upright to full flat.

Come to think about it maybe youre probably right

I flew PE singapore and got the front row with massive leg room, maybe it felt much flatter due to the room i had

 

[andye]

My most common long-haul destination is Europe. The gap from Y+ to J is the biggest for me by a long way. Never flown F though