In late 2015 American announced that they planned on adding a premium economy cabin to much of their longhaul fleet. While the airline has long offered an extra legroom economy section, this is the first time theyre offering an actual premium economy cabin.
Continue reading: American Seems To Be Delaying The Sale Of Premium Economy
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Just flew DFW-ICN in Premium Economy - Seat 9L (Bulkhead) - it's really quite nice considering it was free for status holders. The catering is pretty much business class food and drink as they roll the same cart right through the curtain. The amenity kit is flimsier and not the Cole Haan ones, in fact they were clearly labeled Domestic Transcon First, so whatever they used to give out on the A321 NYC/LAX route is what I can assume (haven't flown that route). Bulkhead seat is the way to go as the leg rest lets you prop your feet up in a pretty comfortable way for a 14hr flight. Great to get as a freebie but doubtful I'll be paying for it in the future.
I flew in the PE cabin to MAD the day the 787-9 started flying that route. It's basically domestic F on a TATL flight. I even had the same cheese lasagna that I've been served multiple times domestically. Not bad, but I probably wouldn't pay more than a couple hundred bucks over regular Y.
This is what concerns me. I found the following paragraph at AAs website.
Upgrades
Systemwide and mileage award upgrades from Main Cabin to Premium Economy won't be available right away, but we'll add this option later. Until then, you’ll be able to upgrade to Business Class from both Main Cabin and Premium Economy.
Maybe that suggest that once it launches, you'll have to use SWUs to upgrade to PE....
Yesterday I flew DFW-MAD in 10E. It's like domestic first with a narrower middle armrest. The food was better than economy and pushed out all at once, no warm nut mix. Legroom was fine but not as wonderful as row 9. The sad thing is the recline, it's not enough. I think Cathay Pacific's PE was better. But, they're a better airline.
American doesn't seem to want to lead in any category of service and it's making Norwegian look tempting.