Picking The Perfect Seat: The Difference Between Premium Economy and Economy Plus

Choosing the best seats can be a hassle. You want to sit with your travel buddies and be comfortable, but you also don’t want to go flat broke just buying tickets. Let’s be real, Economy is a little too plain for those of us who want a little bit of pampering.

The solution? Move to an upgraded version of Economy.

It’s the perfect middle ground. You get to feel a little bougie without having to break the bank. But as soon as you open the website, it's easy to get confused by all the options and accidentally pay for extras you don’t really need.

Don’t worry, though, we’re here to break it down for you. The first thing to keep in mind is that Premium Economy and Economy Plus are two very different options, despite seeming similar at first glance. Let’s jump right into it.

This is for our travelers who don’t prefer long flights. Essentially, this is an upgraded Economy seat offered primarily on domestic or short-haul international flights.

Some of the extra perks include:

• Extra legroom: You might get 2 to 6 inches more legroom than standard economy. This might not seem like a lot now, but as our taller travelers can probably tell you, a little goes a long way.


• Better seat location: These seats are closer to the front of the plane, which means you’ll no longer have to wait for the entire plane to offboard before you get your turn.

Of course, keep in mind that these seats have the same width and in-flight service. Don’t go in expecting first-class treatment — after all, it’s still economy, but for a few extra bucks, the extra perks may just be worth it. More on this later.

Sounds great, right? Don’t go jumping the gun, though — we still have a lot of ground to cover, and you might like the next option even more!

Don’t be fooled by the name. Premium Economy is an entirely separate class of service. Placed smack dab in the middle of Business class and the standard coach, this is the place designed for people who like a little pampering, but don’t want that business class bill.

Premium Economy is designed for international or long-haul travel. If you’re booking a longer flight, Economy Plus might not be enough for you.

This is the place where you splurge a bit. Some of the benefits include:

• Wider seats and more recline: With an extra two to three inches of space to recline, and often about two inches more width, this is the perfect place for the folks who like a little room to breathe.


• More legroom: Compared to standard economy, but that was a given.


• Upgraded dining experience: Real silverware instead of those plastic utensils, a bigger menu, and if you’re lucky, you might even get complimentary wine! That alone might be enough for us.


• Amenity kits and extras: Some airlines will even give you the same kits as business class, including noise-cancelling headphones and even better blankets. You’ll feel like royalty, at least compared to coach.

A bonus perk is that you’ll end up collecting airline miles at a faster rate than a standard coach ticket. If you want to become a miles mogul and a pro at collecting and using them, we have a couple of articles that will make you a wiz in no time

Some of the airlines offering Premium Economy include British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Cathay Pacific, and U.S. carriers like American Airlines, Delta, and United.

All that seems fairly standard, right? And yet, a lot of the time, people still end up confusing the two, and that's entirely not their fault. Let’s clear up a few things.

Emirates' newest premium economy cabin.

Airlines love their branding, and sometimes, it ends up backfiring on us.

Most airlines use unique names for their economy seating upgrades. Some may look like Premium Economy at a bargain price, but in reality, it's just economy with a bit more legroom.

For Economy Plus, you might get a few names. United calls it Economy Plus, American calls it Main Cabin Extra, Delta calls it Comfort+, but it's all the same thing.

As for Premium Economy, we have even more names. Delta Air Lines, for instance, calls it Delta Premium Select, and United Airlines' product is named United Premium Plus. Virgin Atlantic's version is known as Premium, while British Airways' goes by World Traveller Plus.

Confusing right? Don’t worry. Here's a rule of thumb:

If it’s standard economy with a bit of extra legroom, it's Economy Plus. Premium Economy is an upgraded experience closer to business class.

Where Economy Plus is a fancier economy, Premium Economy is the perfect middle ground for people who like to feel fancy but don’t want to break their bank on business class.Which brings us to our next point.

We’ve mentioned multiple times how much of an upgrade Premium Economy is, so it’s no surprise that it’s not exactly free of cost.

Premium Economy can cost around 2-3 times more than a standard economy ticket. Don’t be afraid of the big number, though, it’s still a steal compared to having to pay for business class for an upgrade.

In comparison, Economy Plus is a little more modest, often adding somewhere between $30 and $100 to your economy ticket. For those who just want to avoid the cramps, the extra legroom alone is worth the slight bump up in cost.

Of course, there’s a lot more you should consider when deciding which of these you’re going to get.

United Airlines "Premium Plus" is an excellent option for budget savvy travelers and is available on all international widebody routes.

This part really comes down to one thing: how far you’re going, and how much comfort you want along the way.

If you’re hopping on a short domestic flight or something under 5 hours, Economy Plus is usually more than enough. But if you’re preparing for a long-haul journey, like crossing oceans or hopping continents, Premium Economy is where it’s at. You’re going to be stuck in that seat for a long time, so a little extra space, better meals, and some added pampering can go a very long way.

Another factor? Budget. If you're treating yourself to a vacation, traveling for work, or just want to upgrade your usual flying experience without leaping into business class prices, Premium Economy is a solid investment. But if you're on a tighter budget and want just a bit more wiggle room, stick with Economy Plus.

When booking, keep your trip length, comfort preferences, and budget in mind. Know what each option truly offers, and don’t let airline branding catch you off guard.

At the end of the day, whether you’re treating yourself to a plush Premium Economy ride or just grabbing a bit of legroom in Economy Plus, you’re making your journey a little more comfortable, and that's already worth it.