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Cars & travel.

26 May 2021

Best and worst airlines for premium economy

We asked fliers to rate their latest experiences to find out which are the best airlines for premium economy service, and which are the worst.
W
Which?Editorial team
Singapore airlines 458693

It's tempting to buy your way out of cattle class with a premium economy fare. The upgrade should mean more leg room, better food and hopefully a glass of bubbles on arrival.

But which airline gives you the best premium economy experience? We surveyed more than 7,500 Which? members about their recent experiences. Of those, 695 had flown premium economy in the past year. 

They rated the customer service, food and drink, and value for money on Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Tui Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines. 

Members can log in now to see the full results, or if you're not a member, then join Which? now to access this and other reviews.

Best and worst airlines for premium economy

Airline
Seat pitch (inches)
Boarding
Seat comfort
Food and drink
In-flight entertainment
Cabin environment
Customer service
Value for money
Customer Score
38
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
83%
36-38
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
81%
38
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★☆☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★★☆
★★★☆☆
★★★★☆
74%
35
★★☆☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★☆☆☆
★★☆☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
63%
38
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★☆☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
★★★☆☆
62%

Using the table: Sample sizes are in brackets. A dash indicates that there were too few responses for this aspect to give a star rating.
Seat pitch: The distance between two rows of seats, an indicator of legroom.
Boarding: The boarding process - waiting time, queues etc.
Cabin environment: Fixtures and fittings, temperature and lighting.
Customer service: On-ground and on-board staff. Customer score Combines overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend the airline.
Food and drink: Range and quality of on-board catering.
In-flight entertainment: Quality of free wi-fi, ear phones, TV screen.
Customer score: Combines overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend the airline.
Sample sizes in brackets. All ratings for economy class travel.

Video: Is an upgrade worth it?

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  4. How to save on flights
  5. Which airline has the best seats?
  6. How to save on premium economy fares
  7. Ten airlines rated worst for food
  8. Best and worst airlines for premium economy
  9. Best and worst airlines for business and first class
  10. Carbon offsetting: How to reduce the impact of flying

Airlines

  1. Best and worst airlines
  2. Best and worst budget airlines
  3. Cheapest airlines for popular destinations
  4. How to save on flights
  5. Which airline has the best seats?
  6. How to save on premium economy fares
  7. Ten airlines rated worst for food
  8. Best and worst airlines for premium economy
  9. Best and worst airlines for business and first class
  10. Carbon offsetting: How to reduce the impact of flying

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