Sorry to hear your unhappiness Laura. I have flown BAs Premium Economy and thought it was excellent. The Mickey Mouse “ears” give you great support and help with the snoozing.

BA give you an extra 7″ of legroom, which makes a real difference for us long-legged folks. Air France premium economy is pretty similar, as I recall. First Choice have a premium cabin that only gives an extra 3″, because their long-haul basic economy seating is so good now.

My personal view is that at anything under £20 per hour of flying time it’s worth paying for premium. but over that it’s hard to justify.

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Not many people realise but Premium Economy varies massively from airline to airline (amongst those that offer it).

On some, like United Airlines or Singapore Airlines, the offer is simply a slightly better seat. On others it is a better seat, better food & drink, extra amenities, check in privileges, etc – not as good as business class but still quite good.

Not only is the product varying, but the extra cost varies a lot also. For example United Mileage Plus elite members can get their form of premium economy for free (subject to availability) and other passengers can get it guaranteed for a small extra fare (or not guaranteed but probable on certain routes for other Star Alliance gold members). Whereas on Air New Zealand there is a sizeable fare premium over the higher economy fare, which could equate to more than double the cheaper economy fares.

So, it is very hard to generalise as to value for money. What I would recommend is to research what the specific airline offers – both from the airline website as well as traveller websites like http://www.flyertalk.com For a slightly better seat I’d assign a modest premium (could be higher in some circumstances like an important meeting right after a 12 or 24 hour flight!). If more than just a better seat the reasonable premium should be higher.

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I paid extra for Virgin’s Premium Economy last summer for my daughter and me, SF to London. I was very disappointed as I sprung for the full fare expecting a major improvement.

We sat in the upper deck section – the only advantage was the quieter cabin. There was not much more in the way of leg room and the service was rather stingy. Other than the glass of champagne upon boarding, there was one pre-meal drinks service – that’s it! The meal service was the same as that being served in regular economy.

I ended up checking my standard carry on bag because there was no room – be careful and check before you assume you can bring it on board.

I’m taking advantage of a BA sale and will be flying World Traveler Plus this June to London from SF. It will be interesting to compare the two – but I will be more forgiving because of the price!

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I flew back from the States recently in Virgin’s Premium Economy and was also disappointed. There didn’t seem to be any difference from the Economy section I had flown out in. We didn’t even get the glass of champagne…apparently they ran out on the way over to the USA!!

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I have to say that I have used Virgins Premium Economy Service on a couple of occasions and found to be great. Quiet cabin, larger seats, more pitch and quicker service.

If you read the description for the service it doesn’t promise to be anything else. If you want first class service, then fly first class. If you don’t mind economy service but with some nice perks then fly Premium Economy. I think the word economy in the title says it all really.

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I have just returned from the caribbean and treated myself to Premium Economy for the return leg of the journey.

What a disappointment! The seats on the upper deck are the most uncomfortable I’ve ever sat in – I thought I was going to end up with curvature of the spine. The food is the same albeit served in china – wow – and I had to send my first meal back as it was a dried up, burnt piece of gristle.

I’ve had much better flights in economy where there’s been spare seats and I wouldn’t bother paying extra money again.

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I have never travelled by premium economy before because of the extra expense. I am travelling with British Airways back from Singapore and I have no idea where premium economy seats are in the aircraft or are they worth the extra costs. Are there any advantages in premium economy. Any advice is appreciated.

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We are flying to Miami or Orlando at the end of July with a 10 year old and, by this time 23 month old. I am toying with the idea of paying the extra for premium economy as (for those who have flown with young children) i thought it may be worth paying the extra. I am looking for good honest advice as i would rather spend the extra pounds out there than on a flight that may not prove worth it.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

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Virgin or BA have not made a decision yet, but on looking at the thoughts of others BA is looking stronger at the moment.

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I flew to Toronto this April Premium Economy with BA and was very disappointed.
When traveling accross the pond with my wife we always turn left but on this occassion I was taking my two 6ft5 sons couldn’t afford business for them so tried the alternative.

Service, Food was good. No fast track or lounge and very little space.

I’m sticking with Business. I would rather go once in comfort than three times turning right

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[...] In a feeble sop toward road warriors, United charges $50 for so-called “economy-plus” seats. I checked it out: there are a lame 2 inches more of legroom and no power outlets; American Airlines has power outlets, but on the whole is no better. As economy class goes in the U.S., JetBlue is the most comfortable for cross-country flights. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have premium economy seating but from what I have read about it, the passengers are underwhelmed.   [...]

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I travelled to Shanghai on Virgin Premier and thought it OK. Seats were not great
but had good service and premier check in. Two other journeys were to Shanhai
last November and Denver lasts January by BA. I was not impressed. There was no dedicated check in , massive ques , poor service on the plane and uncomfortable seats. Definately not worth the extra cost.

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I completed my trip on BA World Traveler Plus to London. I checked in online 24 hours prior to leaving SF and was delighted to get 18F, a bulkhead aisle. When I boarded my seat had been changed to 14A. Still World Traveler Plus but they had swapped airplanes. Different configuration, no notice to passengers and I’m stuck in a window. For the most part the extra leg room was nice, but as others have stated, the food is pure economy. Flight crew service great. Ground crew service not so – by not telling us about the aircraft change and sticking me in the window seat!

On the way back I thought more of the same. I checked in online again, got an aisle. Settled in with carryon stored in overhead, books in seat back – only to have a woman show up and say I was in her seat and her husband had the seat beside me. This however turned into something great – I was moved to Club World and enjoyed all the benefits everyone raves about.

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Hey, I travelled on the new thomsonfly premium economy seats about 2 months ago. It was great! It was cheap, but i would have paid hundreds more of it. I used to be the Managing Director of BA, so i am used to flying first class, and knowing what the different classes look like. It was very good for premium, even for a little company like Thomson! I am 6 5 so obviously seats mean a lot to me. They had a lot of legroom, youll find that it has more the BA, Virgin, and many more. They were also very comfertable, staff were very nice, food was good and you could choose between many different meals, and could eat when ever you wanted, which is very odd for Premium. The Entertainment system was brilliant, very easy to use, lots of choice, nice screen. 10 Games, 30 Tv Programs, 20 Movies, 30 Cds and stuff for kids. Only fault i can imagine is if u had a little kid behind you and they were smashing the touch screen. I can imagine that would be very irritating!
Hope this helps!

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I have travelled Premiun Economy with Virgin as well and agree it is not worth the extra money – the seat tilt was minimal but the rest was OK but not OK enough to make the extra expense worthwhile. I gather some other airlines have better seat tilt

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We have just returned from a Caribbean cruise flying in premium seats with First Choice, it was wonderful. On long haul trips we always take an upgrade, not for me I’ve only half a set of legs. Champagne, free drinks frequently. As much wine and sparkling wine with meals as you could drink, nothing too much trouble. Good seats, very comfortable, excellent tele, freebie bag with toothpaste ect. Can’t praise it enough unlike a return flight we once had on BA when they didn’t come around with the drinks trolly once, although I hardly touch the stuff I was angry and asked for a drink, well they charge enough for it.By the way we flew to Barbados and our first ever cruise on the Oceana was brilliant. Booked on the Ventura on our return. First Choice was First Class. Susan.

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Agree with comments re economy versus premium on virgin and ba. We have travelled both types of service on ba and virgin and virgin needs to sort theirs out. We do often travel economy with virgin to orlando and find this service better than ba but I take issue with Virgin et all removing economy seats to provide more premium economy and stating “its what our customers want”. Its not actually. They want the original service for economy where you got more than one bar drink, a soft drink and a water on a 9 hour flight and a much more rushed and hurried service. Virgins economy service has decline and THIS results in people being forced to go premium

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Going with Monarch to Florida in July,is Premium any god.

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My wife and I have just returned from Barbados with Virgin Premium Economy. We were given bulkhead seats which also had a paper rack on them further impeding the leg room. I am 6’5″ tall and ‘extra leg room’ is a total misrepresentation as it was the most uncomfortable 8 and half hours I have ever spent on a plane. For this my wife and I paid £520.00! An absolute disgrace.

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Does anyone know if the arm rest in the premuim economy go up.I want to take premuim economy for the extra space .I’m travelling with a 2 and a 10 year old my younger one likes to strech out with his head on my lap when he naps. Honest advice will be appreciated.also debating between Ba and virgin

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A couple of months ago I booked 2 x BA Premium Economy returm flights from Manchester to JFK. I paid up front. (One arm & most of a leg!!). Last week BA said they were cancelling the service and that my return flight would now be via LHR (Deep joy). Thw whole journey is 3hr45m longer – assuming the connection is made. The new flights – should I choose to book them today – are cheaper than the original bookings but BA say I am NOT entitled to any fare difference refund? I have been offered a full cancellation refund and am debating if I should take it and ly Premium with Virgin. Trouble is it costs £300 more and involves another flight. Thanks BA – how did you celebrate you 30th wedding anniversary!
Mike (In rant mode!)

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I have flow BA and Virgin in both economy and premium economy and I have to say that Virgin win every time. Whether we are travelling with our 2 children or on our own, the service we have had with Virgin has always been far better. From check in to boarding the aircraft. The inflight service is so much more friendly and you feel that they are genuinely pleased to have you on board. They are great with the children and nothing is too much trouble. I do agree that they only do the one trip with the drinks trolley, but you are able to go to the galley and help yourself, or just ask and they will bring another drink to you.

I think the extra’s you get in the Premium Service are worth it. My husband is 6ft 4 and although we have done economy it’s worth the extra money to not have him whinge about someone reclining their seat in front of him.

Top Tip, always go online to allocate your own seat when you make the booking. When we check in we ask if the exit seats are available (usually they are as they are allocated last)

I feel a certain amount of loyalty to BA because it is our national carrier, but the service does not live up to expectations. I find that the Crew seem to want to be else where and are a little stand offish.

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Hi all, anyone have any thoughts on Qantas Economy at all? Planning a long haul trip to the far east and Australia and they seem to have the best fare- my only concern is the flying time and being stuck in a bad seat!

My experience of Virgin has been pretty poor to be honest- have only flown economy. Very uncomfortable seats (am 6ft so not as tall as many others by any means!) and more than anything else the service from the cabin crew let them down. My wife and I usually fly about 3 or 4 times a year long haul (plus business trips) and have never been talked to like a child before! That and only being served 1 meal on a 9 hour flight did nothing to make it any easier! To be fair they did offer us a piece of cake or a snack bar before landing- kept us going till we could find the nearest cafe at the airport! Only thing that would convince me to fly with them again would be a siginificantly cheaper fare. I’d liken them to an international easyjet.

Anyway won’t bore you all anymore! Any thoughts on Qantas would be much appreciated- bit disappointed I can’t use my BA points to upgrade any Qantas flights, seems to make the “oneworld alliance” a bit pointless unless you just want to collect points!

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We have flown premium with Thomas Cook (cuba), First Choice (aruba) & BMI (barbados & antigua). The only one worth it, was BMI, the seats are the old business class ones & are really comfortable. The BMI flight crew are second to none & really show the rest how it should be done. In addition, the food & drink is top notch & the customer service is both friendly & professional. I could not recommend them more highly.

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Not flown Virgin – but heard mixed on thats front

Been BAs Premium Economy 3 times (free upgrades) apart from there being the 7inches more leg room and a slightly wider seat – there was absolutely no difference in the service between Economy and the premium version. Also have a pet hate that you cant manually adjust the Aircon – BA is just so hot on overnight flights I can never sleep.

the seat arms DO NOT raise up in any ofthe Prem Econ seats – i was on a flight and there was no one in the 4 seats in the middle – but what a waste as all the arms are fixed – no stretching out!

Dont think Prem Econ in BA is worth it unless they are offering a deal at checkin (always seems cheaper on the leg back if your flying home from the US). BAs economy is not bad at all – never had a problem with them – apart from the Aircon issue on the night flights.

Luckily enough been upgraded to CLUB on BA on London to Atlanta route once – really is completely different class and experience – although unlikely to ever afford paying for it myself!

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We paid considerably extra for premier class return flights from Jamaica. Although the utbound flight was OK, th return flight service was extremely lacking to say the least.

The bucks fizz which was supposedy to be distributed prior to take off was given second priority whilst the Steward had his breakfast; this was visable through the gap in the curtain. During the 10 hour + flight (stuck on the runway for a while), drinks came around only twice and there were only two films played. The rest of the flight we were treated to the time, altitude, arrival time etc, and of course watching the same steward continuously feasting behind the curtain. Maybe he had a tape worm.

On return to the UK I complained to Thomas Cook airlines. I was issued with a £20 voucher to be used of the next booking in my name to be used off a holiday booked within the next 6 months.

Not only to Thomas Cook give poor service and poor customer relations service, they also think that the punters are lacking in intelligence.

Save your money, travel the cheapest way possible to aviod most disappointment. Preferably not with Thomas Cook. 4 months on now, we have still having the ‘We will reply to your letter within ……….days treatment’.

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Its very Interesting reading peoples comments about economy vs premium economy. Am debating this for a trip to Cape Town in March. I called BA – the difference in price is about £1K (for 2 fares) between economy and premium economy and you can’t even get your seat allocated when you book (unlike other airlines) – you still have to check in online and grab what seats there are…you can only get a confirmed seat if you travel club or first (which is like over £4K for 2 people….!). For someone who must sit by a window this really bugs me – I like to know where I’m sitting! . And whilst i am at it, i travelled to Berlin last year with BA – flight back was cancelled due to fog which meant we had to fork out for accommodation for one night. its taken BA 11 months to reply to my letter and sent a cheque!!! Think I might have to look at other options for Cape Town….(I will get over myself one day)

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My mother flew from Canada to the UK yesterday, with Air Transat/ Canadian Affair (Thomas Cook was the provider). She paid the extra for club class and said it was good on the way out. However, on the way back they received nothing for the first few hours of the flight (no drinks/ food) and then for the later part they just got water and a box meal. This doesn’t sound like club to me! Can she get a refund? It cost her a lot of money to upgrade, which she only did becaue they changed the day of the flight (with no compensation offered) and it meant she spent most of her Birthday on a plane.
Any suggestions?

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Has anyone flown Premium Economy with Thomas Cook more recently, say 2008.
Has the overall serice improved from the comments already posted or not. I’m due to be flying to the Caribbean with them soon, so I hope it has got better.

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I’m planning another trip to Oz for my little sisters wedding and thinking of premium economy any suggestions as to who to fly with from Heathrow to Sydney …. any advice would be helpful….many thanks Roly

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to sydney in Prem Econ – Qantas was doing prem econ seat offers for £849 as recently as March09 which is amazing considering its nearer £1949 normally (prior to the glut in the travel market) – may be worth a shot. Virgin are still around the £1400 mark. At todays prices you could fly any of the airlines Business class for around £1800.

Dont rate the BA Traveller Plus product too much – the seats only a little bigger but not the most comfortable – no extras as its the same economy food / service – especially given they turn of air con at night causing the cabin to be extremely warm.

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My husband and I are due to go to Jamaica in September with Thomas Cook and are debating whether to upgrade to their premier seating. I have noticed some unfavourable comments but believe TC have improved their airlines of late. Am I being over optimistic? Has anyone flown with them in the last couple of months?

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Melbourne to Sydney to London (via HK) – I am currently in transit at the gate in HK. My return ticket was $4600 AU compared to under $2000 AU standard economy. Thought I’d try premium as an alternative to business class, as the cheapest business fare would’ve been a couple of grand more.

My take so far:

1. Jumped a very long queue at check in at Sydney (but was initially misdirected twice by virgin staff into the standard queue).

2. Very good on flight service with drinks being offered regularly, including welcome on board wine and post dinner brandy or liquer.

3.Prompt attention from staff on board, but premium only one third full so may not be so good at full capacity

4. The seats are leather and recline further back than standard, but still do not achieve a comfortable sleeping position.

5. Two dedicated toilets for premium (curtain separates compartment from standard econ).

My conclusion. You get a little bit more for paying alot more. I would personally go business for any flight more than 10 hrs in future. Going premium rather than business is not worth the saving in my opinion.

Additionally, virgin ground staff at Melbourne are quite rude or jugemental for some reason e.g. two separate staff instructed me to join the standard queue and snapped when I asked if premium could join the express check in, similar at boarding when I walked past the standard boarding line towards the express line I had the boarding pass snatched out of my hand. They are polite in Sydney and Hong Kong (service with a smile).

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Melbourne – Sydney – London via Hon Kong – UPDATE

Second leg of the journey had an almost full premium compartment. My new take:

1. Service became only just better than standard economy
2. The front row accomodates for parents with young children. A couple with a two year old and an almost new born were on deck. The two year old cried or whinged throughout the entire journey. The new born cried every so often. Kids can’t help this but most of the passengers were kept awake by this constant noise (not what you really want when paying over double the usual fare) – I think the airlines should accomodate for young families with a special section for them, whereby other passengers will not be disturbed by screaming children during long haul flights.
3. Further more, the couple had large amounts of hand luggage and portable baby stuff. This was all stowed away into overhead lockers of neighbouring seats, thereby displacing the luggage of other passengers further down the compartment.
4. Passengers from standard economy, came around the curtain to use the dedicated toilets and this was ignored by flight staff. Again, not being a snob, but when paying over double fare, you expect to at least have the priveleges that you paid for.

Final conclusion: If you want to splash out and treat yourself, this is NOT the cabin to choose. I would stick to standard economy for flights of say less than 10 hrs, and business for more than 10 hrs, even though it costs more, there are some guarantees.

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We travelled to Orlando last year – Virgin Economy – dreadful experience, very noisy and had the female passenger from hell behind us. – constantly complained about the lack of space and had a face like a smacked kipper the whole way from Gatwick – done nothing but complain every time we moved in our seats. We came back via Miami and decided that we would fly Premium Economy on the return flight (overnight). Our previous trips to orlando were marred by the lack of sleep on the return journey but not with Premium Economy. We all slept most of the way back, the staff could not do enough for us and food was not bad for airline food – all in all a most enjoyable experience. One we will do again and again. Paying the extra for having peace and quiet – no kids pulling on the back of seats and enough space recline and bliss. Well done virgin.

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Worth the money with Qantas, not worth the money with BA.
(Melb-HK)
PE with Qantas you get priority check-in and boarding, glass of French champagne (or two) nice wines, proper cutlery, cloth placemats and napkins and a decent meal.
The seat and leg room are better than economy, but obviously not where near Business class standard.
(Melb-Bangkok)
PE with BA was very disappointing and not worth the extra money – a pure economy experience with a bit of extra leg room.

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My hubby and i often fly from syd Australia to London we usually fly BA but on our last flight we flew qantas premium economy and it kicked BA’s traveller plus. We are thinking of flying virgin Atlantic PE to see if it’s any good?…

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I flew gatwick – tampa in economy last week. I am 6’2″ with a neck injury. The slide up head rest woudn’t stay in position, and was nearly at the same point on my neck where the injury stems from.

When everyone had disembarked, I tried an Economy Plus seat with the consent of the cabin crew. It is 100% better. I have now changed my return flight seat for a reasonable charge. Try it. If you book wisely, it may only cost you an extrat 10-30% extra.

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