Airlines are increasingly offering premium economy seats on transatlantic flights between the US and Europe, providing a middle ground between economy and business class. These cabins typically feature larger seats than those in economy, though they do not extend into flatbeds. They offer more comfort without the high cost of business class.
According to data from Cirium, several airlines have large premium economy cabins with 56 seats on routes across the North Atlantic this February. British Airways’ Airbus A350-1000s include 56 ‘World Traveller Plus’ recliners arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration with a pitch of 38 inches. Virgin Atlantic’s A350-1000s also feature 56 premium economy recliners laid out eight abreast, with similar dimensions.
SAS operates Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a 56-seat premium economy cabin known as SAS Plus, configured seven-abreast in a 2-3-2 setup. Norse Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9s also have a similar layout connecting Europe with US cities such as Las Vegas and Miami.
British Airways’ Airbus A380 features one seat less, at 55 ‘World Traveller Plus’ seats. These are part of a four-class configuration including first class, business class (‘Club World’), and economy (‘World Traveller’). The A380 serves routes from London Heathrow to Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.
Some British Airways Boeing 777-200ER aircraft based at London Gatwick have 52 ‘World Traveller Plus’ seats. This configuration allows for more premium economy seating due to smaller business class sections on leisure-focused routes like Orlando and Tampa.
Delta Air Lines offers 48 premium economy seats on certain A350-900s serving routes such as Atlanta to Amsterdam and Los Angeles to Paris under its Premium Select cabin. Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A330-300 also has 48 premium economy seats laid out seven abreast behind the second door.
Virgin Atlantic’s next-generation Airbus A330-900 widebody jets offer slightly fewer seats at 46 but still rank among the largest transatlantic premium economy cabins. The airline plans to operate these aircraft on various US-bound routes from London Heathrow and Manchester Airport this February.
Virgin Atlantic highlights benefits such as enhanced luggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, welcome drinks upon boarding, and pre-ordering options from a bespoke menu for its Premium passengers.
