How Different Airlines Approach Premium Economy Meals

Delta recently revamped its "Premium Select" meal service
Delta recently revamped its “Premium Select” meal service. Photo: Delta.

Premium Economy has been a popular invention for passengers looking for an improved travel experience on a budget. The cabin has also proven lucrative for airlines.

The beauty of Premium Economy, from an accountant’s point of view, is that the seats only take up around 30-60% more room on the plane (depending on the configuration). But airlines can charge a premium of double or even triple the Economy Class airfare.

Of course, Business Class fares are still more expensive than Premium Economy tickets. But Business Class seats take up a lot more space, especially when configured as lie-flat seats designed for long-haul flights.

The individual seat designs and features vary, but Premium Economy is more or less the same across the board. These are almost always reclining seats which are a bit wider and come with a bit more legroom than a regular Economy seat.

Finnair's new Premium Economy seat
Finnair’s new Premium Economy seat. Photo: Finnair.

Some airlines also enhance their Premium Economy offering by including a higher baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, and in the case of Japan Airlines or ANA, lounge access.

But the main thing that differentiates Premium Economy from one airline to the next is the onboard service – particularly when it comes to meals.

Premium Economy catering varies significantly

Some airlines provide a dedicated Premium Economy menu which is a step-up in quality and quantity from Economy, but not quite as extravagant as the Business or First Class menu. In most cases, the meals are served on porcelain with proper glassware and metal cutlery.

Qantas and Air New Zealand are two examples of airlines that have adopted this approach to Premium Economy catering. These airlines also offer more premium drinks in their mid-tier cabin compared to Economy, but for example, provide sparkling wine instead of champagne. Most would say that this service offering is a well-positioned and appropriate middle ground.

Qantas Premium Economy lunch on a Sydney-Santiago flight
Qantas Premium Economy lunch on a Sydney-Santiago flight. Photo: Matt Graham.

Emirates has also taken this approach to catering in its new Premium Economy class. While sparkling wine is served in Emirates Premium Economy, rather than champagne, customers can choose to pre-order cake and champagne for a fee on flights departing Dubai if they’re celebrating a special occasion.

Emirates Premium Economy meal
Sample Emirates Premium Economy meal. Photo: Emirates.

Some US airlines have in the past tried to charge for spirits in Premium Economy, but these policies have been largely reversed after a backlash from passengers.

Other airlines have taken a completely different approach to Premium Economy catering. German airline Lufthansa, for example, offers identical menus in Economy and Premium Economy. However, Lufthansa’s Premium Economy meals are better presented with proper crockery and metal cutlery.

Lufthansa Premium Economy meal on a flight from Frankfurt to Dubai
Lufthansa Premium Economy meal on a flight from Frankfurt to Dubai. Photo: Matt Graham.

This kind of service is more of an “economy plus” approach where the larger seat is the main benefit, rather than the “business light” approach taken by some other carriers.

Delta Air Lines, which offers what it calls Premium Select on trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flights, has taken the opposite approach to Lufthansa. It now serves meals which are similar to those offered in Delta One (Business Class), and with linen tableware, but on disposable “bagasse” plates.

Other airlines have taken the approach of serving a Business Class meal for the first service on long-haul flights, but Economy Class food during the second meal service.

Serving the same food in Premium Economy as what’s provided in Economy or Business saves the airline money. By not having to provide as many different dishes, it can more efficiently produce a smaller menu at a larger scale.

If you’ve flown Premium Economy, what did you think of the meals? Leave a comment or discuss this topic on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum!

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
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The few times I’ve done QF Y+, the F&B was definitely a step up and quite good. Certainly better than JQ “J”. But it’s been a while since I’ve done either of those.

No doubt, there’ll be some who interpret your statement as cost cutting at the expense of the PAX:
”Serving the same food in Premium Economy as what’s provided in Economy or Business saves the airline money.”

But it makes perfect sense from a logistics, space and prep sense to have some overlap. And as you point out, there‘s some swings and roundabouts on which end of the plane the F&B comes from.

Not mentioned in the article, but there’s also the potential added benefit of status PAX getting extras from the front of the plane (including real bubbles, J wine and even PJs). Obviously no guarantee and would vary from airline to airline no doubt.

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The Y+ meal shown for Qantas is EXACTLY same as a business class meal in every way(other than being served on a tray) Qantas food is embarrassing in every class. Don't get me started about 'First' or 'Business' meals. If you want proper dining fly Emirates, Qatar or Singapore Airlines. They shame Qantas in almost every way.

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Great article, as the offering indeed varies wildly. Just one minor error:

Delta Air Lines, which offers what it calls Premium Select on trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flights, has taken the opposite approach to Lufthansa. It now serves meals which are similar to those offered in Delta One (Business Class), and with linen tableware, but on disposable “bagasse” plates.

This is definitely not the case anymore. Delta replaced its catering in Premium Select to be identical to the basic Coach offering during Covid (which itself was and remains cut back) and this hasn't improved in either cabin since. Meals in Premium Select are served from the same trolleys by the crew who simply start in Premium Select and then move back.

Needless to say, it was quite the disappointment when I encountered this on a flight a few months ago. Worth nothing that Delta has also made no plan to go back to their pre-Covid offering, and they've (finally) even updated the website to reflect the mediocre offering.

You get a sad small main in a plastic square ("chicken or pasta"), a tiny cup of couscous or potato salad, and a thimble of ice cream or pre-packaged biscuit. For breakfast, you can enjoy a small wedge of a frittata and a small pot of sugared yoghourt.

Ironically - and I never thought I'd hear myself say this - but apparently it's United that offers the most impressive catering in premium economy relative to the other US carriers, basically serving the same meals the serve in their business "Polaris" class. I'll find out for myself next week and report back.

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Ironically - and I never thought I'd hear myself say this - but apparently it's United that offers the most impressive catering in premium economy relative to the other US carriers, basically serving the same meals the serve in their business "Polaris" class. I'll find out for myself next week and report back.

Not what I've heard about UA, but I hope you're right (I'm UA lifetime Plat).

As for me, I'm flying JL PE from Europe to SYD (via HND) next month and I'm at least expecting courteous service (unlike UA).

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Not what I've heard about UA, but I hope you're right (I'm UA lifetime Plat).

As for me, I'm flying JL PE from Europe to SYD (via HND) next month and I'm at least expecting courteous service (unlike UA).

I'm not holding high expectations; unfortunately there was just no reasonable alternative for this trip. There's a thread on FlyerTalk about the current meal offerings in UA PP and the general consensus appears to be, "those lucky folks in PP are basically getting the same meals as Polaris, and Polaris pax aren't getting what they should."

But it won't take much to beat DL.

Half glass/full empty depending on where you're sitting. Either way, I look forward to wine a plastic cup. /s

I flew ANA a few months ago and it was a treat. Enjoy JL!

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Recently (early July) flew Singapore Air premium economy, Syd/Amsterdam & return Frankfurt/Sydney. Not impressed with overall experience, meals mediocre, still served in little plastic tubs, drinks with the meal appeared same as economy, no noise cancelling headphones Only thing favourable was the extra space & slightly more baggage allowance, not sure if that is worth the premium fare they charged. Unfortunately, I must say that we were underwhelmed with our experience & would think long & hard about using this product & SIA again.

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Great article, as the offering indeed varies wildly. Just one minor error:

This is definitely not the case anymore. Delta replaced its catering in Premium Select to be identical to the basic Coach offering during Covid (which itself was and remains cut back) and this hasn't improved in either cabin since. Meals in Premium Select are served from the same trolleys by the crew who simply start in Premium Select and then move back.

The change referred to in the article was announced last week.

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meals mediocre, still served in little plastic tubs

Brings back memories of a small plastic fragment I found in my meal (not from the plastic tub itself as it was still intact) on an SQ flight in Premium Economy a few years ago...

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Recently (early July) flew Singapore Air premium economy, Syd/Amsterdam & return Frankfurt/Sydney. Not impressed with overall experience, meals mediocre, still served in little plastic tubs, drinks with the meal appeared same as economy, no noise cancelling headphones Only thing favourable was the extra space & slightly more baggage allowance, not sure if that is worth the premium fare they charged. Unfortunately, I must say that we were underwhelmed with our experience & would think long & hard about using this product & SIA again.

+1 on SQ's PY product. I've read rave reviews about it but having flown PY on a dozen or so carriers, I just don't get what the fuss is about in comparison to others. SQ's soft product decidedly feels more like a "nice economy" than a "less nice business."

The change referred to in the article was announced last week.

👏 Great news - overdue but welcome just the same. Thanks for the clarification!

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Recently (early July) flew Singapore Air premium economy, Syd/Amsterdam & return Frankfurt/Sydney. Not impressed with overall experience, meals mediocre, still served in little plastic tubs, drinks with the meal appeared same as economy, no noise cancelling headphones Only thing favourable was the extra space & slightly more baggage allowance, not sure if that is worth the premium fare they charged. Unfortunately, I must say that we were underwhelmed with our experience & would think long & hard about using this product & SIA again.

I certainly agree, flew SQ SYD/FCO in premium was not impressed at all, service was in a word terrible, food was junk, crew very off hand and not seen. Back to EK QR B/C next year.

never SQ again in any class

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