More airlines to introduce premium economy class
SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) is phasing out the executive economy class on its non-stop flights to the United States but other airlines are getting into the business.
Premium economy, as the name implies, is better than coach but not as luxurious as business or first class. Passengers get more leg-room, wider seats and better amenities than those in cattle class.
Some airlines call this class of seat Economy Plus or Executive Economy but they all mean the same thing. Premium economy seats cost about 30 to 40 per cent more than economy class but are significantly cheaper than business class tickets.
Australian airline Qantas, which introduced a premium economy class on its flight from Sydney to Hong Kong earlier this month, will be phasing in premium economy seats on flights from Singapore to Sydney, Melbourne, London and back.
Premium economy seats will also be offered on flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Bangkok and Johannesburg.
Thai Airways International has also introduced premium economy seating on its Airbus A340-500 aircraft which flies to New York, Los Angeles, Stockholm and Copenhagen.
But passengers who want to fly from Singapore have to factor in a Bangkok stopover.
Japan Airlines has introduced a premium economy service on its B777 aircraft flying the Tokyo-London and Tokyo-Paris sectors.
Singapore has a high demand for premium economy seats, say travel agents.
