Our travel agent has booked us premium economy seats on a Virgin Atlantic 747 from Gatwick which corresponds to the B747-400 (Heathrow – Version 3) on your site. It seems that version 3 seating of their 747 now goes from Gatwick too.
Many of our users have asked about the premium economy class seats, and I thought the following might be of some interest to you:
Perhaps due to the airlines’ marketing campaigns and TV commercials, many people falsely assume that Premium Economy is really Business Class Lite. If this is your belief, you will be sorely disappointed on any of the three airlines on this route. However, if your expectation is that Premium Economy is a LITTLE bit better than standard back-of-the-bus Economy class, then you will probably be reasonably satisfied.
What do you get in Premium Economy?
- The big difference between Premium Economy Class and Coach is the extra leg room. All three airlines give you 6-8 inches more than standard Economy.
- Both BA and VS give you a wider seat, as they fit one to two fewer seats per row compared to standard Coach
- Leg and/or foot rest, possibly better head-rest, although many people feel that the seats are no more comfortable than coach (or put it another way, no less uncomfortable than coach)
- Typically in-seat power-ports for your personal electronics
- Slightly more miles earned in frequent flyer mileage program
- Higher possibility of receiving an operational upgrade to the next class of service – Business class.
- The ability to use miles and/or cash to pay for upgrade into Business class
What you DON’T get in Premium Economy?
- Special meals. Meals are the same as Coach, although you might get it served on better quality dishes
- Served-to-order pre-departure drinks. You’ll only receive one pre-departure drink, perhaps mass-market champagne
- No fast track immigration
- Normally no extra baggage allowance
- Level of overall service is the same as Coach. Of course, individual cabin crew do vary in the service they provide, there are differences even from flight attendants serving the left vs the right aisle. But again, Premium Economy service is generally the same as Economy class.
- In-flight entertainment is the same, most airlines offers AVOD (Audio Video On Demand) in both Coach and Premium Economy
- Generally the same in-flight amenity kit as coach, and not the more luxurious offering in Business class
- No complimentary VIP lounge access, neither on departure nor on arrival
There are probably other minor points, but I think we have covered the majority of them.
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