What’s the Next Step for Airline Premium Economy?
Photo Credit: A Singapore Airlines premium economy meal. Airlines are wary of allocating too much room to premium economy, but many are upgrading other parts of the experience. FCMedia
Skift Take
A surprising number of airlines held out against adding premium economy as long as they could. But now most big airlines have added it or plan to. That's good news for passengers who want a little bit more space at a reasonable price.
Most airlines practice risk-averse strategies for cabin updates — and for good reason. Adding new seats is costly and time consuming, and airlines often prefer to stick with what they know works, even if it may cost revenue, long term.
In recent years, business class has been an exception, since carriers know they can't go a decade without upgrading to the newest flat-bed technology. They may not like replacing still-viable seats, but premium customers demand the newest goodies.
In economy, however, change comes slowly. That's even true in premium economy, a class some airlines have had for more than two decades, but one that is only now reaching critical mass. Many airline insiders long understood the cabin's potential niche, as an option between coach and business class, but some did not want to invest in the expense of installing it.
To be sure, premium economy isn't a new trend. But in the past th
