The gap between economy and business class is suddenly the most interesting part of the plane. A wave of announcements this year — from Dubai to Lisbon to Auckland — suggests airlines have decided travellers will pay a bit more for a lot more comfort, and they're redesigning their premium cabins accordingly.
Emirates has rolled out what it calls the world's first electric premium economy seat with a full-height privacy screen on its new Airbus A350s. The divider rises and lowers at the touch of a seat control, and the 28 seats are laid out 2-3-2, with wireless charging on board.
Across the Atlantic, American Airlines has retrofitted a Boeing 777-300ER with 44 premium economy seats featuring sculpted headrests, calf and foot rests, wireless charging and both USB-C and AC power, deploying it on long-haul routes. It has also added 30 extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seats, with free high-speed wifi for AAdvantage members.
Lufthansa's upgrade is all about food and small comforts. Under its centenary-year "Future Onboard Experiences" programme, premium economy diners now get a business-class-style appetiser, a choice of three hot mains with warm bread, and cake or pastries to finish — plus a pair of slippers.
TAP Air Portugal has joined in with "Economy Prime" on long-haul flights: just 12 seats in a four-per-row layout where the middle seat stays empty, 13-inch HD screens, an amenities kit and two hot meal choices. Ground perks include fast track, premium boarding and priority baggage, with two 23kg checked bags thrown in; the Top Prime fare adds free changes and refunds. Low-cost Wizz Air's take, "Wizz Class", is simpler but clever — front-row seat, empty middle, priority boarding, two cabin bags and a snack — available from airports including London Gatwick, Luton, Rome Fiumicino and Warsaw.
The most futuristic offering comes from Air New Zealand. Its Skynest sleep pods — a claimed world first — debut in late December on the ultra-long-haul Auckland–New York route. Up to six economy or premium economy passengers at a time can book a four-hour lie-down in a pod with a privacy curtain, ambient lighting and USB outlets, from NZ$495 (around €250), earplugs and eye mask included.
Why does this matter? If you're tall, travelling overnight, or simply reluctant to pay business fares but willing to stretch the budget, premium economy is becoming a genuinely differentiated product rather than a slightly better seat. And the perks start before boarding: faster check-in, priority lanes and more generous baggage allowances make the middle cabin a smart pick for holidays where you'd rather spend on the ground than in the air.