In the quest to secure the highest-paying passengers, airlines have resorted to everything from in-flight “coffee houses” (on Austrian Airlines) to first-class cabins equipped with steamy showers (on Emirates). But the most ambitious air carriers are currently battling for dominance in an entirely new aviation category — premium economy.
Launched by airlines from United to El Al, this fourth class hovers between coach and business. The latest carrier to enter the Premium Economy arena is Lufthansa, whose new seat debuted last week and takes flight in November.
Designed over two years — and at a cost of $140 million — Premium Economy will eventually comprise some 10 percent of all Lufthansa seats and cost roughly 600 euro ($825) more per roundtrip flight than conventional transatlantic coach tickets. Once installed system-wide, Lufthansa predicts some 1.5 million Premium Economy passengers each year. Here is a look at what they might expect.
The Seats
Unlike its US counterparts, Lufthansa’s Premium Economy is anchored around an entirely new seat — developed and built in Germany and roughly 50 percent larger than coach seats. Hundreds of Lufthansa’s most frequent-fliers were focus-grouped during the seat’s development and the end result reflects this process. Space and privacy are paramount: Gone are shared armrests or annoying seat-back trays. Instead, travelers receive some seven additional inches of leg-room, four inches of shoulder room and two fewer seats per row. Seat cushions have extra thickness, while dining tables are stored within the side armrest for added space-saving.
The Eats
While not exactly reaching Business Class levels, Premium Economy meals are a serious step-up from coach. Dining options are presented early in-flight on their own menus and are served on real porcelain rather than plastic. Portions are larger than in coach and are accented by the types of welcome drinks and in-flight snacks found at the front of the cabin.
The Treats
Lufthansa has gone to great expense to develop Premium Economy not just as a new seat, but an entirely new class of service. To this end, the Premium Economy experience will include a range of additional goodies including a nice-sized amenity kit with toothbrush, earplugs, refreshment towels and eye masks. Beyond the kit, Premium Economy passengers will be able to enter any Lufthansa Business Class lounge for a mere 25 euro (roughly $35) — a perk formerly reserved solely for the airline’s “elite” status members. And Premium Economy flyers can expect to collect up to 150 percent of their economy Miles & More points.