Premium Economy. Why?

[harvyk]

Not sure I would like this at all - too much complexity and agonising and then changing one's mind. I also think that on a lot of levels the consumer will lose out - the full service product will be more expensive than the current full service model (cf to JQ and the price difference between *Class and Business Max) and due to the complexity people will default to the full service model and just end up paying more. Add in fights at check in because people claim they paid for certain things and didnt get them or between husband and wife when she realises he didnt pay for food for the kids but paid for booze... I wont fly NZ for this reason. When I fly in J I want to fly in J I don't want to fly in one flavour of J out of many flavours on board...

Never said I liked it, it's just something which I've heard and makes sense considering that every new airline these days seems to be a LCC of some description, and quite a few former full service carriers have gone to some degree of unbundled model where what was once a standard inclusion is now a charged extra "for those who want it". Of course when a component is being unbundled and make an optional extra for say $15, we're not seeing a uniformed reduction in price of $15 across the affected fair classes.

 

[wilco]

When I fly in J I want to fly in J I don't want to fly in one flavour of J out of many flavours on board...

As long as current J continues to exist in this way, youll be fine. But what if it were no longer available??

Also, if your happy with the current arrangement, then id still expect the airline to offer such a product (as NZ does), but you will pay full fare for it. I see no problem with giving people the choice.

We are creatures of habit, but the LCC's have shown that alternative models work and they work very well.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I flew VA Pe to LAx in 2009 for 2K return. For that price I thought I got a great deal - a seat I could sleep in, great service, loved the self serv bar, IFE was one of the best I'd used.

But in general terms PE is overpriced for what it is. If I can fly disc Y for $800 then I'm not paying 2K for the PE seat.

Now if air asia flew to SYD I'd be happy to pay the 3-4K for their business class seats to the UK. Got a lottery upgrade earlier this yr and was very happy with the seat. yeah, it was a bit on the hard side, but I still got 4 hrs sleep from KL to OOL.

The only way PE is worth it on QF is with a PE ASA.

 

[Archphoto]

Personally, I wouldn't pay the extra to fly Y+; for me the "extra benefits" are not worth the extra $$$ on QF - can't comment on other airlines as I haven't flown Y+ with any of them. I've flown QF Y+ once, due to no seat availability in Y, and it didn't feel any better than Y. Whilst they may laud the "extra seat pitch" and "food", for me it just didn't cut it. Others, of course, may feel differently.

If they're happy to give me an op-up Y to Y+ I'll accept, but spending my own $$$? No thanks, I'll book Y and pray for a points upgrade request to J.

 

[Mal]

What are peoples thoughts of Premium Economy??

Ive flown BA and QF and think that its kind of OK, but definitely not worth the prices being charged. What do people think would be a fair price to pay for PE?

I fly PE frequently, but rarely (if ever) pay the rack rates. Not worth it at the usual RRP ex-Australia.

As a cabin, it is much better than Economy, the catering has been reduced (which is unfortunate), but it is a good choice for the full Y SC, points bonus and ability to upgrade to J at a discount points rate.

 

[tuapekastar]

I flew BA Y+ back in 2005 MEL-SIN-MEL and for what it was it was fine. Better seat pitch and width than Y, and perhaps a couple of other things (cannot recall) - nothing spectacular but still an extra level of comfort over Y. I have heard BA is introducing an upgraded Y+ product.

QF Y+ is allegedly considerably better (closer to a J-, so I've heard) and I'm booked on it in January SIN-MEL, bought on special. I have a points upgrade request to J lodged, so I may or may not find out what QF Y+ is like. I do think it seems quite pricey at the regular prices but am yet to be in a position to judge its worth.

 

[el_rooto]

I fly PE frequently, but rarely (if ever) pay the rack rates. Not worth it at the usual RRP ex-Australia.

As a cabin, it is much better than Economy, the catering has been reduced (which is unfortunate), but it is a good choice for the full Y SC, points bonus and ability to upgrade to J at a discount points rate.

Has it changed since july this year?

 

[el_rooto]

On QF the food and booze in PE is a significant improvement over Y. Also being 6ft, the extra legroom is definitely noticed.

 

[11sjw]

On QF the food and booze in PE is a significant improvement over Y. Also being 6ft, the extra legroom is definitely noticed.

Have to agree with this, unless it's changed dramatically since April. Thought PE was great SYD-LAX. Scored the points upgrade to J on the way back so yes that was even better.

 

[Mal]

Has it changed since july this year?

Don't know. But what I did notice was a reduction in catering on my last few flights. For example, the removal of "champagne" to be replaced with a SA sparkling (Champagne is now back I believe). Also the list of other drinks seemed to be reduced. The meals do seem to be lower quality as well. All points to cost cutting.

 

[Blackadder]

From my experiences with QF 11/12, PE is a definite step above whY, of course YMMV but to me at least the extra legroom,seat width,meal service,plus the cheaper upgrade option to J made it money well spent.

 

[138-CAN]

J seat with Y+ service is great, but it only exists until all the 4 class aircraft are reconfigured back to 3. However, that is the perfect scenario for me. A great seat/bed with not so fancy, but more than adequate catering, for a reasonable price. That is something I would absolutely pay for!!

RedRoo and Qantas, take note!!

Definitely have to agree! I guess it was perfect timing with the start of the direct DFW leg but I flew last July (super peak time) on the 4 class 747 and managed to snag a Business seat booked in PE (with PE trimmings) for at least one of the legs and got a bulkhead row for the way back in PE. The flight cost <$2500 return and at the time of booking it was less than Y class on a leg to LAX (on the 747 not the A380). Not to mention I earned more than 30,000 points (only PS) and 200SC.

I think it does make a difference if you are sitting behind someone else in PE. If you have a space in front at least you can prop your legs up a bit with bags and pillows and it isn't a game of what I call "body tetris" where you try to twist and turn to get out of your seat if someone is reclined in front of you.

However, those same flights if booked now for next year would cost me $5754 return for Premium Economy. That is not worth the money. I agree this product is not worth the retail price.

I always make a point of doing a few walks down the back if I'm ever booked internationally above Y. I've had this pleasure around 50% of my flights and am self funded. In that moment it doesn't matter how much the flight cost.... when you get back to your seat I always think it is worth it.

 

[Fantic125]

Well, we've just been advised by our (German) Head Office that we are now allowed to fly in Y+ for flights greater than 8 hours duration. :shock:

(Previously strictly Y only! It's amazing how quickly policies can change when the people dictating the policies actually have to do some long-haul flights instead of sitting in their comfy office...... :evil: )

The couple of times I've been upgraded to Y+ on QF I've found the extra legroom, extra width and better recline of the seat to be a big plus compared to the standard Y seat, but the meals didn't seem that different to Y.

So, if I had to pay for it personally I most probably wouldn't. The main reasons I would book it now for my business related flights of 8 hours+ would simply be for the slightly extra comfort which would have me in a better frame of mind at the tail end of the flight...

 

[Awesom Andy]

I feel that Y+ is about 25% better than Y, but at 100% extra in terms of pricing. It has been reported as one of the biggest earners for airlines, and it's not hard to see why - some pax shell out so much more for such little improvements.

As "comfy" as Y+ is over standard Y, I would only do it for a few reasons (assuming I'm paying for it myself).
1. Op-up
2. in BA's case, a ridiculously cheap ODU offer. (I had a LHR-HKG sector upgraded for ~$250 AUD equivalent).
3. looking for a cheaper upgrade to J (using points)
4. flying long-haul, can't afford J, but still need to be operational once I arrive at the destination.
5. I'm just a few SCs short of retaining/gaining SG/WP.

 

[Dougo]

For long haul flights, I'm very happy to pay for premium economy...much better IMO than having a third person to share the bank of seats with / climb over etc

 

[SeatBackForward]

(Previously strictly Y only! It's amazing how quickly policies can change when the people dictating the policies actually have to do some long-haul flights instead of sitting in their comfy office...... :evil: )

I find it even more remarkable that its not a case of "I just make the policies, doesnt mean I have to follow them"...as they seem to be where I work.

 

[rothesaylass]

I paid for PE flights SIN-LHR in June with QF (used points to get to/from SIN).

I was very happy with the experience and at a cost of $3000 return, felt it was definately worth the extra

money.

 

[Sonny1933]

I have flown both Qantas and BA Premium Economy - BA is bloody awful - little better than economy apart from a little extra leg room - no extra service - OTOH Qantas is a little licke the old Business Class - great service, food and wine - I use it several times a year for trips to the UK

Trevor Haines

 

[Joy6328]

(long time lurker, first time poster!)

I flew PE on the A380 - SYD-LHR last year. It was "nice" but I was fortunate enough to be given the upgrade as a gift from my employer. Not sure I could have justified it ($4.5k as opposed to $1800 Economy) from my own pocket but I did enjoy it. Seats dont lie flat, just an extended recline - I am 6' so was still uncomfortable but service was great, nice to get off the plane with First Class and get through Customs before everyone else even off the plane... IFE sensational and food choices great.
We are flying to Canada next year and are hoarding points for Business Class Classic / JASA...

 

[drsmithy]

I'm not rolling in it so I can't afford to fly J everytime I fly long haul, but to be frank I'm 6ft and the wrong side of 100kg, so the extra couple of inches you get in Y+ makes a big difference to flying comfort for me.

Seconded. Y+ changes a long-haul flight from barely tolerable (knees permanently pressed into the seat in front, shoulders intruding into the seat(s) beside) to somewhat comfortable (can stretch out my legs, an air gap between my shoulder and my neighbour's). The in-seat power is an important feature for me as well.

My primary concern on a plane is physical space. I couldn't give a toss whether or not the hosties call me by name, if the wine comes in a real glass, or if the cutlery is plastic. I've done some DONE4s so I know what I'm missing in J, but the extra "service" aspect is meaningless to me.

As such, Y+ provides a decent tradeoff between cost and comfort. Is it twice as good as Y ? Not really. But it's closer to twice as good as Y than J is to 4-5x as good.