Premium Economy Class - Is it worth the extra price ?

 

When we want book air tickets, we just open any popular travel portal or visit  a travel agent and quickly book tickets which are cheapest. We are least bothered with things like “class of booking”, and by default our tickets are booked in the “Economy Class” since that has the seats with the lowest fare. “Class of Booking” is travel trade parlance that is something similar what we have in the railways. There Sleeper / Second  class is the lowest class with the lowest fare, but there are higher classes also like AC chair car, 3 tier AC, 2 tier AC etc. Similarly in airlines, the Economy Class is the lowest priced class, but there are other higher prices classes also like Business Class and First class.

Since I gave the example of railways, like the sleeper class in railways, the economy class in airlines is not the most comfortable way to travel long distances. Most people who book in economy class especially on long haul flights like from India to Europe or India to USA, complain of  stiff back, pain in the legs, body aches etc by sitting for long hours in the seat.

To avoid this discomfiture, the only apparent solution is to fly the class higher than economy class , which for all practical purposes is business class, where you get better seats,  reclining seats to almost flat beds and all the luxuries of a pampered passenger!!  A lot of economy class passengers  – either travelling for business or leisure – would readily travel in business class but are left aghast at the exorbitant pricing for business class tickets.

So what do we do ? Continue flying economy class and endure the suffering ?

Wait – there is a solution !!

PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS

More space, more free baggage, more service and a host of other privileges: long-haul travel in Premium Economy Class comes with many amenities. Consequently, you’ll enjoy a relaxed flight to your destination

This is a special class now available in many airlines across the world and also those flying from India – notable among them being Air India, Vistara (both these airlines have this class on some domestic routes also), Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Air Francs, Qantas, Air New Zealand and many more.

What are the features of this class ?

Comfortable Seating

First of all more leg space and a roomier cabin. It is possible because the seat pitch -  the distance between two rows of seats is larger here -  so the leg room automatically is greater. On an average the leg room is almost 18 – 22% more than normal economy class seats

Seats can be reclined more !! So you have a more comfortable seating position especially on long haul or red eye flights. You want to recline the seat back and you are afraid to disturb the passenger in the seat behind? No such issues in Premium Economy class as the space between seats is quite large

In some airlines a calf rest and footrest is also built right into your seat. For the ultimate snoozing position, just recline and stretch out.

Airport Privileges

A lot of airlines offer fast track at airports including priority boarding and baggage handling .  So let the other economy class passengers look at you with envy when you board earlier than them and also receive your baggage much before theirs!!

Some airlines also give lounge access to Premium Economy class passengers

On board Enhanced Experiences

A welcome drink with a warm welcome into the cabin

A special amenities  kit filled with essentials like an eye mask and lip balm

Specially curated dining menu served in fine bone china or high end  cutlery

Varied choice of inflight entertainment and that too on bigger and better screens

In-seat AC Power Outlet and USB Port

Choice of leading newspapers and magazines besides the in-flight magazine

Wide variety of beverages including flavoured teas/coffees, a selection of wines, champagne along with delectable snacks – offered on a few airlines

Then Why is Premium Economy not so popular ?

The obvious question – is flying by Premium Economy class costly ? Is it worth the cost ?

So to make things clearer, I have given below a comparative study of Premium Economy/ Business class for specific sectors. Please note fares give below are indicative and have been taken from respective airline websites.

 

Flights	Premium Economy	Business
Air India  (non Stop flight) Mumbai San Francisco 26 Aug San Francisco Mumbai 04 Sep	2,36,000	4,40,124
Vistara Mumbai Singapore 19 Aug Singapore Mumbai 22 Aug	36,047	93,100
Singapore Air Mumbai Singapore 17 Jul Singapore Mumbai 24 Jul	35,555	91,521
Lufthansa Mumbai Frankfurt 10 Jul Frankfurt Mumbai 19 Jul	1,04,700	1,90,314
Virgin Atlantic Mumbai London 16 July London Mumbai 23 Jul	1,48,163	3,57,000
Vistara Mumbai Delhi 23 July Delhi Mumbai 25 Jul	14,086	54,109

 

The table above illustrates the stark difference in rates for various sectors between Premium Economy and Business.

The benefits of Premium Economy have already been give before – its almost like a mini Business Class !! You get a whole lot of privileges normally reserved for Business class passengers, a much more comfortable journey, and you reach your destination fresh, without the rigours of Economy Class.

SO,

If you are booking  Senior citizen parents on a flight to the USA and  need more comfort for them

OR

You have a meeting the same morning you land, and need to have a few hours good sleep on the flight

OR

You already have knee and back pain and cannot possibly endure seating in a cramped economy class seat for a long duration

OR

You are travelling with an infant and just need more space to manage the infant

The obvious choice is Premium Economy!!

  AIRPORT LOUNGES  Are they really useful ?

Reached the airport much in advance, check in , immigration and security all cleared and then you realise that the boarding time of the flight is still 2 hours away !!

 OR

 You are at the airport and before boarding the flight, you  have some urgent emails to send or a quick modification to a presentation needs to be done or a few minor changes need to be done to the proposal you are preparing, you need a comfortable and quite place to sit and work.

OR 

Reached destination airport after a long flight and you just need a place to have nice shower and a place to relax for some time with a hot cup of coffee and some light snack so that you are fresh to start work immediately

OR 

Need to finish a call before boarding the flight and you need a quiet place for it, can’t do it in the departure area where there is too much noise around

OR 

Tired after a hectic day at work and before you board a long flight you need some "Me" space to relax, maybe have a glass of beer to cool off and release the tensions of the day

In all the above scenarios , What do you do ? Where do you go ?

 

The place to go to in the airport in any of the above instances is the Airport Lounge !!

 

What is the Lounge in the airport and where is it located ?

Lounge is designated area after check in and security and after immigration (in case of international departure) where not all the passengers have access and entry is restricted to a privileged few!! It’s a quiet enclosed area with comfortable seating , light snacks, tea/coffee/juices and also alcoholic drinks plus newspapers, magazines , high speed internet. Some Lounges also have a small shower area where you can have a quick shower and get fresh before the flight or before exiting the airport.

Most  domestic and international airports in India have one or several lounges depending on the number of passengers it handles.

In many foreign countries, airlines  (for Example Lufthansa , Emirates) have their own special lounges for their customers, but again for a few selected customers booked in a special class of booking. Lounges for Business class passengers are also very common where passengers booked in business class get free access to such lounges located in domestic or International terminals. 

In India lounges are there in all major domestic and international airports. Like International airports, there are lounges reserved for Business class passengers only.

But there are other kinds of lounges also where passengers traveling in economy class can get access either because they are members of Frequent Flyer programmes of selected airlines or they hold certain credit cards  which allow them access and if the above two are not there in your case, you can always pay and enter in any lounge.

Most Credit card holders in India who have Mastecard   Visa Amex Diners Club franchised cards of any public sector or private bank are eligible for lounge access with number of entries per year depending on the card terms and conditions. Wait -  Most entry level credit cards dont have this. The privilege of access to airport lounges is reserved for cards like Platinum / Signature/ Millennia / Diners Club/ Elite/ Infinity/ Prime etc etc, basically cards which are given to selected high net worth customers of the bank. There are also co branded credit cards which are issued with the co branding of an airline. Such cards also offer free lounge access.

Certain Debit cards also give the holder access to airport lounges. 

In the case of both Credit and Debit cards, please do check with the card issuing bank about Lounge access - you will be surprised to know that you already had access but did not use it !!

Now what about passengers who are not eligible with either of the above two criteria ? 

Dont worry, you can always pay and enter any lounge in any airport - domestic or international. Lounge entry fees in India typically range from Rs. 800 per person in smaller airports like Amritsar, Chandigarh, Indore to 1500 to 2800 per person in bigger airports like New Delhi , Mumbai, Bengaluru etc. Some lounges also have sleeping pods which can be booked at a nominal additional cost.

To use Encalm  lounges in New Delhi airport in both the domestic (T1)  and international terminal (T3), pricing starts at Rs. 1900 for domestic terminal and Rs. 3100 for the lounge in the International terminal. Cost includes 2 hour use of lounge facilities including tea/coffee, snacks, wifi.  

 Aviserv Lounge in Mumbai International  Airport has starting price at INR 2773 plus taxes including 2 hours use , sleeping pod, shower, meal and wifi!!

 For frequent travelers especially if it involves international travel , its beneficial to take a Priority Pass membership or sign up for Plaza Premium Lounge . Priority Pass also has manages a lot of lounges in domestic terminals in India.

 Compared to the cost of an international or most domestic tickets in India, the cost of the lounge access (in case you are not among the privileged few who have free access) is quite nominal and absolutely worth the price you pay for.  

 So next time you are at the airport and have a LOT of time before boarding or have some work to quickly finish before the flight you know where to go!!

 

Happy Lounging!!