Premium economy - worth the extra money?

[kiwi2768]

We're planning on travelling Premium Economy SYD or MEL-LAX and return. Initial research for the approximate dates we want shows that VAust is cheapest, followed by Air NZ with Qantas about $4000 dearer than VAust. Since I started looking a couple of months ago, VAust have changed the schedule and the price has gone up a few hundred. I did get email from VAust about some specials, but the dates are not right for us. Anyone have some insider knowledge about any more specials coming up for Premium Economy seats on VAust, QF or Air NZ, with travel between 1 Sept and 30 Oct? Is the Premium Economy worth the extra money? I'm not keen on sitting in cattle class all the way to LA and back.

 

[HardieBoys]

How tall, heavy and wide are you? The QF Premium Economy seats are not particularly wide, and have a 2 - 4 - 2 configuration. The pitch is long enough for anyone up to around 6'3" in my opinion (at just under 6' I couldn't kick the seat in front of me), but the seats aren't hugely wide. The recline isn't great (I'm not going to look up the exact angle, but there are websites to do this).

I flew back from Jo'burg to Sydney in Premium Economy, and a great long sleep. I'm very broad across the shoulders (104 kg), and was pleased I had a spare seat next to me, but would've coped.

I was pretty pleased with the real estate in PE, and thought that for leisure flights I'd fly in it, but for work trips, I'd fly up front. That all said, I'm looking at $15K to New York in May, and the PE prices look so much more manageable. (Alternatively, the $7800 return fare on United is also looking attractive.)

 

[possum FF]

My only thought - I understand that Qantas operate with fewer cabin crew than most other airlines. You certainly notice the difference.

 

[dajop]

Is the Premium Economy worth the extra money? I'm not keen on sitting in cattle class all the way to LA and back.

What is the fare you are looking at? There is a level beyond which it is probably not worthwhile. Having said that if QF are $4000 more (I assume that's for 2) than VA, I'd say give QF a big miss. Not worth it, and just stick to VA.

 

[Travel Guru]

VA Premium Economy is brilliant, definately worth the extra money.

Best way I could describe the seats is they reminded me heavily (but not exactly) like QF Domestic business class seats, very comfortable, ample legroom (im 5ft10") and the service was excellent.

AVOD whilst not having the biggest selection ive ever seen (its still adequate, was definately the quickest, most responsive and easiest to use)

I'm planning another trip over to the US at the moment and even though im QF SG, and even though my preference is always Business Class, i'll likely be going VA in Premium again, because for 13 hours its comfortable enough to either relax and watch movies or get some sleep.

Hope that helps

TG

 

[Justinf]

Premium Economy on VA is very good. I am 6'1" and had ample legroom. Found the FAs to be very good and helpful. Next time I fly to LA, I would most certainly fly VA PE again.

 

[markis10]

I was pretty pleased with the real estate in PE, and thought that for leisure flights I'd fly in it, but for work trips, I'd fly up front. That all said, I'm looking at $15K to New York in May, and the PE prices look so much more manageable. (Alternatively, the $7800 return fare on United is also looking attractive.)

QF are doing J ex NY for USD$6K return, if you visit often you might want to take a closer look at a one way over then buy roundtrips ex USA, there are serious savings to be had if you dont mind the risks/stuffing around involved. PE is $2600 return, a leisure traveller might want to look at the following:

J with QF to NAN $634
J with FJ to LAX for $1250 AUD
then grab either the PE or J specials, leaves you with a spare o/w back though!

 

[rotuma1]

QF are doing J ex NY for USD$6K return, if you visit often you might want to take a closer look at a one way over then buy roundtrips ex USA, there are serious savings to be had if you dont mind the risks/stuffing around involved. PE is $2600 return, a leisure traveller might want to look at the following:

J with QF to NAN $634
J with FJ to LAX for $1250 AUD
then grab either the PE or J specials, leaves you with a spare o/w back though!

Your on the right track

This is my suggestion:

1. J With QF or FJ SYD- NAN = $637AUD one way ticket.
2. J with FJ to JFK via LAX return = $2454AUD return ticket
3. J with FJ NAN- SYD = $514AUD one way ticket.
4. All up J return SYD- JFK via NAN & LAX = $3605AUD
5. Plus any accomodation costs, however the longest connection is 4hours.

You will have lounge access the whole way, earn alot of SC/points too.

 

[HardieBoys]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice! I'm continually amazed at how quickly questions can be answered.

I found a discounted QF J flight on zuji.com.au from SYD - JFK - SYD for just over $AUD 7500, including all taxes and charges, so I've gone with that. Curiously, the same fare didn't appear on the Qantas website or expedia.com.au.

 

[docjames]

Wow, awesome price!

 

[HardieBoys]

Yes, good price: QF 107/108, so pretty convenient. It's a cheaper deal than I managed to get through a friend's corporate rate last year on the same route. And the booking's appeared on my profile already.

 

[HardieBoys]

Actually, not so good price! Just checked the QF site this afternoon, and there are return J fares SYD - JFK for $AUD 7500 on the knocker! They weren't on the site last night...

 

[kiwi2768]

Yes, there are two of us travelling - hubby and me. My preference would have been Air NZ but having to spend the day in AKL doesn't appeal since we will have had bugger all sleep. Where possible we prefer to get on a plane in Perth and travel with the same airline all the way to wherever it is we're going. I have travelled in J a couple of times but I wasn't paying VA want around $6K for PE for the 2 of us PER-SYD-LAX-SYD-PER. Air NZ is around $6K (on sale) PER-AKL-LAX-AKL-PER but there is a 13 1/2 hr wait :-| in AKL on the way to LAX and almost 6 hours on the way back. But then, we might get to sit upstairs if on a 747. QF is around $10K so they're not in the running. How is a $4K difference justified??? VA have quite good connecting flights, with only 3 or so hours in SYD on the way there and 5 hours on the way back.

 

[docjames]

At those prices and connection times i'd be taking VA for sure. :shock:

 

[notzac]

..and if you do take the VA option, we'll be wanting to see a trip report pls!

 

[kiwi2768]

Roger notzac

 

[smckay]

We did SYD - SFO last year on QF Y. End of the trip I was restless, sore and tired. 6 foot and no where to put my feets. Couldn't sleep well, tossed and turned all night. That was on 747. Food was typical airplane, at least beer nuts and beer was freely dosed out by the FA's.

Coming back we went Y+ from LAX - SYD, 747 again. Much better chair, wider and no one beside you to clunk elbows when eating/drinking/anything. I still found the chair to be lacking legroom, and the so called 'foot rest' is not a plus, sits too low to work for me, but my 5'2" wife thought it was great (and she could curl up in the chair). I slept Ok but not what you would call good sleep (but my first long haul so dunno if thats as good as it gets)
Food service was great, snacks (actually pannini with ham cheese & tomato) on demand, the FA knew your name and all was pleasant.
Only thing is being a night flight all that sort of nice stuff was lost in sleep.

But I now will only go Y+ on long trips and will work my way up to J like the rest of the peeps
Go Y+ if you can, well worth the space but I don't think Qantas deserve the extra few thousand they want when no sales are on.

 

[dajop]

VA want around $6K for PE for the 2 of us PER-SYD-LAX-SYD-PER. ....QF is around $10K so they're not in the running. How is a $4K difference justified??? VA have quite good connecting flights, with only 3 or so hours in SYD on the .

QF seem to get away with it, after all there is no better airline :!::!: Their marketing spin has created a good demand for Y+, but personally I think if its' greater than 2x economy fare, then you're better off buying 2 economy seats for yourself! And from PER if you were going to spend $10K getting to LAX, you'd do better to travel to SIN ($800) in Y and then take Thai from there in business class ($3.8K each) - comes in at around $9K for the journey for 2 pax.

Seriously VA gets good reviews so for $6K PE is probably worthwhile.

 

[markis10]

Considering J is $2K return with FJ NAN-LAX, and QF offer SYD-NAN in J for $1250 return I would be grabbing a cheapie to Sydney/Melbourne, extra stop but bigger seats.