PREMIUM ECONOMY

'Premium Economy' is a travel class offered on some airlines, taking one of two forms:

★ a 'simple' upgrade to the Economy class provided as a free upgrade to premium members of frequent flyer program and passengers flying full-fare economy, normally as a section of the economy/coach cabin, which generally provides more legroom (36-38" seat pitch) by removing a few rows of seats, along with some form of leg rest, possibly enhanced In-flight entertainment and dedicated cabin crew

★ a more 'comprehensive' upgrade, in return for higher fare, which will normally be in the form of a separate cabin section, combining the enhanced legroom of the 'simple' upgrade with better seats (often with less rows abreast to improve shoulder/elbow room), at seat laptop power, lounge service, improved meals and drinks and more luggage allowance
Some airlines may designate an entire economy class as premium, such as Singapore Airlines on its Airbus A340-500 aircraft (which it call ''Executive Economy'').
Typically customers who choose to fly Premium Economy will be singleton travellers who want to have a quieter, more enjoyable journey, couples on honeymoons and families who want to make the journey more pleasant: particularly for daytime sectors these travellers don't want to pay for a fully flat bed, just a more relaxed environment. Premium Economy tickets also normally earn more mileage in an airline's frequent flyer program, attracting a bonus between Economy and Business.
Airlines offering this service include:

★ Air France: Alizé (Economy Plus Class)

★ Air Mauritius: Club Mauritius

★ Air New Zealand: Pacific Premium Economy

★ All Nippon Airways: Premium Economy

★ BMI: Premium Economy

★ British Airways: World Traveller Plus

★ EVA Air: Evergreen Deluxe (744) / Elite Class (77W)

★ Qantas: Premium Economy (Starting from February 2008)

★ SAS Scandinavian Airlines: Economy Extra

★ Singapore Airlines: Executive Economy

★ Thai Airways International: Premium Economy

★ United Airlines - Economy Plus

★ Virgin Atlantic: Premium Economy

★ Spirit Airlines: Spirit Plus

★ Vietnam Airlines: Deluxe Economy
Japan Airlines plans to start offering Premium Economy in 2007, offering this service on its 777 fleet.