Quantcast

Why premium economy is gaining traction among global travelers

American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
Why premium economy is gaining traction among global travelers
Policy
Webp edward plaisted
Edward Plaisted CEO of Skytrax | LinkedIn

To provide long-haul travelers with a more comfortable experience without the high costs of business class, EVA Air introduced a new seating class between coach and business 30 years ago. This innovation offered additional space at a minimal extra cost, quickly becoming popular among passengers. Other airlines soon adopted similar offerings, making premium economy a common choice globally.

Premium economy is now considered an essential part of air travel. The "big three" US airlines, along with Japan Airlines (JAL) and Emirates, offer unique variations that include priority boarding and special menus as affordable extras. This has made it a profitable option for many airlines, leading to the retirement of international first-class by some US carriers.

Edward Plaisted of Skytrax remarked on Japan Airlines' consistent high standards: “This highest 5-Star Airline Rating for Japan Airlines is an excellent recognition of the high quality of the product and staff service experience that they provide to customers."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The popularity of premium economy reflects travelers' growing preference for comfort over price. As demand remains steady, airlines have enhanced their offerings in this category with features like wider seats and improved services. Premium economy has even surpassed first class in terms of profitability for many carriers.

Japan Airlines received the 2024 Skytrax Awards' World's Best Premium Economy Class title, recognized for its spacious seating arrangements. Emirates is expanding its premium economy availability on more aircraft types like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777.

EVA Air was pivotal in launching this trend back in 1992 with its "Economy Deluxe Class," aiming to offer better amenities than standard economy at lower costs than business class. Since then, EVA Air has remained at the forefront by continually upgrading its premium economy products.

As commercial airplanes become larger and more sophisticated, opportunities arise to enhance onboard amenities further. The role of premium economy continues to grow within airline fleets worldwide.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

American Express has introduced a new benefit for its Business Gold Card holders, offering up to $150 in annual statement credits for U.S. purchases made with Squarespace.

Oct 25, 2025

Kawal Preet, Executive Vice President of Planning, Engineering, and Transformation at FedEx and former President of the Asia Pacific region, has been named to Fortune magazine’s “2025 Most Powerful Women in Business: Asia” list.

Oct 25, 2025

On October 22, Air France announced it will begin regular flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Las Vegas starting April 15.

Oct 25, 2025

Airbus has established itself as a leading commercial aircraft manufacturer, surpassing Boeing in the late 2010s to become the world's largest producer of airliners.

Oct 25, 2025

FedEx Express and UPS Airlines are two of the largest cargo carriers in the world, with both companies operating extensive fleets and moving significant volumes of freight globally.

Oct 25, 2025

The Dubai Airshow, the largest event of its kind in the region, is set to return in 2025 with more than 200 aircraft expected to be on display.

Oct 25, 2025