Deciding whether the upgrade to premium economy is worth it will depend on the price point and the amenities on offer. But comparison isn’t easy, given there are so many variations in how airlines interpret the premium economy product.
Thankfully, Skytrax does the hard work so we don’t have to. Each year, the company conducts a widespread survey of airline passengers around the world, using the results of this to rank airlines in its annual World Airline Awards.
Since 1999, premium economy has been a category in the awards. This year, it was won by far eastern airline Japan Airlines, which also picked up the Best Premium Economy Seat award. Although it lost out on Best Premium Economy Catering to EVA Air, Japan Airlines’ respectable fourth place indicates that, as a package, it’s a great airline to consider upgrading with.
Coming in second is Emirates with its stunning new premium economy product that is rapidly rolling out across the fleet. EVA Air took third position and won the category for its catering – clearly, passengers enjoy its iconic braised beef noodle soup!
In full, the top 10 premium economy airlines to fly with in 2025 are:
Rank | Airline | Other awards |
1 | Japan Airlines | 1st: Best seat, 4th: Best catering |
2 | Emirates | 2nd: Best seat, 3rd: Best catering |
3 | EVA Air | 6th: Best seat, 1st: Best catering |
4 | Singapore Airlines | 5th: Best seat, 2nd: Best catering |
5 | Virgin Atlantic | 3rd: Best seat, 5th: Best catering |
6 | ANA | |
7 | Delta Air Lines | 7th: Best seat |
8 | Cathay Pacific | 10th: Best catering |
9 | Air France | 8th: Best seat, 6th: Best catering |
10 | Qantas | 9th: Best seat, 7th: Best catering |
Stay with us as we take a look at each of the top 10 airlines, and the products and amenities they offer.
What is premium economy?
Touted as the ‘Goldilocks’ solution to upgrades, premium economy sits in a middle ground between regular economy and business class. Targeted at flyers wanting a bit more space and comfort but without the eyewatering costs of a business class ticket, the product has proven popular with airlines and passengers alike.
Premium economy varies from airline to airline, with some bringing more than others to the table. With just about every airline, you can expect premium economy to offer:
- Bigger seats
- More recline
- More legroom
- Added comfort (e.g. calf rests, headrests)
- Larger IFE screens
- Priority boarding
Depending on the airline, premium economy can come with other perks too, such as:
- An exclusive smaller cabin
- Upgraded food and beverage options
- Meals served on real crockery with metal utensils
- Lounge access
- Bespoke amenity kits
On average, premium economy tickets cost one-and-a-half to two times more than a standard economy ticket. Compared to the jump from economy to business, which is often four or five times more expensive, premium economy offers a more affordable upgrade pathway for passengers looking for a little bit more comfort.
How and why has premium economy become such an airline success story?
1. Japan Airlines
- Winner: Best premium economy airline
- Winner: Best premium economy seat
- 4th position: Best premium economy catering
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 787-9, 777-300ER, Airbus A350-1000 |
Seat width | 19 in |
Seat pitch | 42 in |
Seat recline | Within shell |
IFE screen size | 12.1 in (787/777) or 16 in (A350) |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | Yes |
Japan Airlines has been offering a premium economy product for over 25 years now. It has always had a solid product offering but recently stepped premium economy up a gear with the arrival of its first A350-1000.
Onboard, all the cabins have been overhauled, including premium economy. The fundamental product hasn’t changed a great deal, but additions like the between-seat dividers and huge 16-inch IFE screens put it a cut above the competition.
JAL’s A350 premium economy is packed with technology. Electric recline and powered leg rest are standard in all seats, as are a variety of charging points including USB and AC outlets. The generous inclusion of lounge access makes this a double win for passengers.
A slightly unusual feature of JAL’s premium product is that the seat reclines in its shell. This was something airlines had moved on from in most parts of the world, but for polite Japanese flyers, encroaching into someone else’s space is unthinkable, and they would probably choose not to recline at all. Keeping the movement in a contained space is the perfect solution.
As well as Best Premium Economy Airline, Japan Airlines picked up the gold award for its seat as well. Undoubtedly, this was judged on the new seat (which will eventually be rolled out across the fleet) although the old seat is still pretty nice. The airline scored well in Best Premium Economy Catering too, so whatever the reason for upgrading, passengers can enjoy a comfortable journey with JAL.
2. Emirates
- 2nd position: Best premium economy airline
- 2nd position: Best premium economy seat
- 3rd position: Best premium economy catering
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 777, Airbus A350, A380 |
Seat width | 19.5 in |
Seat pitch | 40 in |
Seat recline | 8 in |
IFE screen size | 13.3 in |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | Paid |
Emirates’ premium economy was launched fully in mid-2022, making it the first of the Middle East ‘big three’ to use such a product. Both Qatar and Etihad have maintained they do not need a premium economy on board (as their economy is so good) but Emirates clearly saw the opportunity.
When it’s Emirates and it’s the A380, you know it’s going to be good, so it’s no great surprise that the airline won silver for both its seat and its overall offer. Taking bronze for its catering efforts is the cherry on the cake.
On the Airbus A380, the cabin is arranged in a 2-4-2 layout with a generous seat pitch and a separate menu from economy. The seats are upholstered in luxurious cream leather, with electric recline and plenty of personal space.
The newly arrived Airbus A350 will have premium economy too, although in a 2-3-2 layout. The Boeing 777s are being retrofitted with the product, and by mid-2025, the airline expects to offer the product on routes to more than 36 cities.
3. EVA Air
- 3rd position: Best premium economy airline
- 6th position: Best premium economy seat
- Winner: Best premium economy catering
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 777-300ER |
Seat width | 19.5 in |
Seat pitch | 38 in |
Seat recline | 8 in |
IFE screen size | 11 in |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | Yes (with loyalty) |
If legacy is what you’re after, this airline is it. EVA Air was the first airline in the world to introduce a premium economy product. Calling it Economy Deluxe Class, it launched in 1992 with wider seats, more legroom and an exclusive cabin.
EVA’s product is pretty good by modern standards. Arranged in a 2-4-2 layout, it has a decent amount of pitch and more width than most. The airline is renowned for its excellent service, and that stood it in good stead to claim bronze in the Skytrax awards.
But where the airline really stands out is its exemplary catering, for which it won gold in the Best Premium Economy Catering category. Meals are inventive and include dishes from celebrity chefs, but more than that, it’s one of the few airlines where you can log in a few days before your flight and order exactly what you want on board. That’s good for the passenger, and for waste.
4. Singapore Airlines
- 4th position: Best premium economy airline
- 5th position: Best premium economy seat
- 2nd position: Best premium economy catering
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 777, Airbus A350, A380 |
Seat width | 19.5 in |
Seat pitch | 38 in |
Seat recline | 8 in |
IFE screen size | 13.3 in |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | No |
Singapore Airlines introduced its premium economy product on its 70th birthday in 2015. Since then, it has been rolled out to most of the widebody fleet, although the 787 Dreamliners do not have it.
All eight of its Airbus A380s have premium economy, with a sizable cabin of 44 seats, while its 777-300ERs have a smaller cabin with just 28 seats. Most of the A350s have premium economy, including its small fleet of A350-900ULRs that operate the longest flights in the world.
Passengers praise Singapore Airlines’ premium economy for its comfortable seats, exemplary service and excellent catering. This is reflected in the airline’s high placement in the catering category too.
5. Virgin Atlantic
- 5th position: Best premium economy airline
- 3rd position: Best premium economy seat
- 5th position: Best premium economy catering
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 787-9, Airbus A330neo, A350 |
Seat width | 18 – 21 in |
Seat pitch | 38 in |
Seat recline | 7-8 in |
IFE screen size | 13.3 in |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | No |
While EVA Air was the first airline to experiment with a premium economy-like product, Virgin Atlantic was the first to use the name. It had introduced ‘Mid Class’ in 1984 but rebranded this to premium economy in 1992.
Virgin came 5th overall, but ranked up for the Best Premium Economy Seat, taking bronze position. Certainly, the product on the newer Airbus A350s and A330neos is excellent, having been overhauled in the last few years.
However, older aircraft in the Virgin fleet are still flying with the older premium economy product, so it can be a bit hit and miss which one you get. Nevertheless, the wonderfully British ‘high tea’ served on board has to be reason alone to fly Virgin.
6. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- 6th position: Best premium economy airline
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 787, 777-300ER, Airbus A380 |
Seat width | 19.3 in |
Seat pitch | 38 in |
Seat recline | 8 in |
IFE screen size | 11 in (old) – 15.6 in (new) |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | Yes |
ANA brought the world its premium economy product in 2012, introducing it on long routes from Narita to destinations including Chicago, Munich and Los Angeles. The product proved popular and is now on all of ANA’s long-haul fleet, including the 777-300ER and Airbus A380.
Passengers are full of praise for the spacious seats, with leg rests and extra recline. Priority boarding and lounge access are included, which makes the arrival experience top-notch.
However, some passengers have commented that the catering is not brilliant. As a tip, ANA does offer enhanced catering, which is not only delicious but comes on proper tableware too, so those concerned about their inflight feed might consider upgrading.
7. Delta Air Lines
- 7th position: Best premium economy airline
- 7th position: Best premium economy seat
Aircraft with premium economy | Airbus A330neo, A350, Boeing 767-400ER, 777-200ER/LR |
Seat width | 19 in |
Seat pitch | 38 in |
Seat recline | 7 in |
IFE screen size | 13.3 in |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | No |
Delta Air Lines is well known for passenger pleasing, frequently winning awards for most on-time airline and best business class. While its premium economy didn’t take home any medals this year, it did snag a solid 7th place for both the seat and the overall offering.
Known as Delta Premium Select, the airline introduced premium economy in 2017 with its Airbus A350. Today, the product flies on most of its widebody fleet, with all A330s and all but nine A350s equipped. The 767-400s have premium, and all but eight 767-300s do too.
You don’t get any lounge access with Delta premium economy, but that’s not surprising given how oversubscribed the SkyClubs are these days. Nevertheless, you do get a very nice seat and a large IFE screen with noise-cancelling headphones.
8. Cathay Pacific
- 8th position: Best premium economy airline
- 10th position: Best premium economy catering
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A350 |
Seat width | 21 in |
Seat pitch | 40 in |
Seat recline | 8 in |
IFE screen size | 15.6 in |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | No |
Cathay Pacific has been flying with premium economy since 2012 and has regularly been praised for the quality of its product. The generous recline on the seats and cushioned leg rest means passengers find the comfort difference well worth the investment.
Although Cathay’s 8th place in the ranking is well-earned, it is also continuing to invest in the passenger experience. In 2024, it unveiled its new Aria Suite, a doored business class product that will go on the 777-300ER. Alongside this, it also revealed a brand new premium economy product set to debut on the aircraft.
So far, we know the seats will feature a 15.6-inch IFE screen, a winged headrest for privacy and modern technology including Bluetooth connectivity. As the product arrives on its 777-300ERs, first class will vanish, leaving these aircraft with just business, premium and economy.
9. Air France
- 9th position: Best premium economy airline
- 8th position: Best premium economy seat
- 6th position: Best premium economy catering
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 777, Airbus A350, A380 |
Seat width | 19 in |
Seat pitch | 38 in |
Seat recline | 8 in |
IFE screen size | 13.3 in |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | No |
Premium economy arrived at Air France in 2009 branded Premium Voyageur, and has rapidly become a staple of the airline’s product suite. Like Japan Airlines, it has opted for a ‘fixed shell’ recline, which has both its supporters and its haters. Either way, it was enough for Air France to claim 9th place in the ranking.
With the French reputation for excellent cuisine, it’s no surprise to learn Air France also claimed 6th place for Best Premium Economy Catering. Premium economy passengers receive a modified version of the economy class meal, still served on an economy tray but with proper glassware and napkins.
Premium economy is on all its 777s, 787-9s, A330s and A350s. Only the A350 has a non-shell recliner, while the A330 has a slightly newer version of the fixed shell recliner in a nicer fabric.
10. Qantas
- 10th position: Best premium economy airline
- 9th position: Best premium economy seat
- 7th position: Best premium economy catering
Aircraft with premium economy | Boeing 777, Airbus A350, A380 |
Seat width | 19 – 20.5 in |
Seat pitch | 38 – 42 in |
Seat recline | 9.5 in |
IFE screen size | 13.3 in |
Amenity kit? | Yes |
Lounge access | No |
The Flying Kangaroo first announced a premium economy product with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2017. It has since expanded to its Airbus A380 fleet, and is expected to feature on Qantas’ new Airbus A350s too.
The premium economy cabins are big – unsurprising for one of the most remote airlines in the world. On the A380, there are 60 seats, while the Boeing 787 has up to 40.
Despite the larger cabins, Qantas has given passengers more privacy thanks to the large winged headrests on the seats. They’ll also get dedicated check-in counters, priority boarding and faster disembarkation, although there’s no lounge access included.