Over the years, we’ve seen premium economy become an increasingly popular cabin on long haul flights. That’s logical, as economy cabins keep getting tighter, while business class cabins keep getting more spacious, so people want an option between the two.
Up until now, Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal hasn’t offered premium economy on long haul flights. That will be changing in 2026, though not necessarily in the way that you’d expect…
In this post:
TAP plans unconventional premium economy product
As of the summer of 2026, TAP Air Portugal will introduce premium economy on long haul flights, and it’ll be available on both Airbus A330 and Airbus A321LR aircraft. However, if I’m understanding this announcement correctly, the airline won’t actually be reconfiguring planes in any way.
The airline promotes how it will offer 12 seats at the front of economy with an adjacent empty seat, which “ensures a quieter, more private environment for a truly relaxed journey.” So it sounds like TAP won’t actually introduce a true premium economy hard product, and that this will simply take up the first two rows of economy on the A330, and the first three rows of economy on the A321LR.
The soft product will be more in line with what you’d expect from premium economy, though:
- At the airport, premium economy will offer premium check-in, priority baggage, fast track security, and priority boarding
- Onboard, premium economy will offer a premium main meal with two hot dish options, meal pre-selection up to 24 hours before departure, amenity kits, premium pillows, and enhanced headphones
- In terms of rewards and flexibility, premium economy will offer bonus miles, and flexible rebooking and refund conditions
My take on TAP’s unique approach to premium economy
I’m a fan of airlines giving customers more choice in terms of the type of experience they can have, so I’d consider this to be a positive development.
That being said, I can’t help but think that the airline may have a hard time managing expectations with this new concept. When people book premium economy, they generally expect a completely different seat, more in line with what you’d expect in domestic first class within the United States (admittedly there are some exceptions, like Condor branding its extra legroom economy section as premium economy). If you book a premium economy flight on TAP and don’t do your research, you could be very disappointed.
At the same time, there’s no denying that this is an efficient way to introduce premium economy. With the delays that exist nowadays with sourcing new seats, plus the amount of time it can take to reconfigure cabins, that’s potentially a huge undertaking. With the approach TAP is taking, the airline can essentially “switch on” premium economy overnight, and there’s something to be said for that.
Bottom line
As of the summer of 2026, TAP Air Portugal will introduce premium economy on long haul flights. However, the airline won’t actually be introducing different seats, but instead, will simply rebrand the front rows of economy, and block adjacent seats.
On the plus side, the soft product will be fully in line with what you expect from premium economy, with everything from an improved meal service, to amenity kits. This is definitely an unconventional approach for the airline to take, but it sure is efficient.
What do you make of TAP’s premium economy plans?
Very typical of the Portuguese experience. Pay a premium for a sub-premium experience. Comfort and convenience is definitely not their strong suit.
Just flew TAP last week. Across the aisle there was a blocked seat already, except this was not for Premium Exonomy, it was because there was poo all over the seat and it was tagged with a red sign that said “Do not occupy.” Poor guy in the window seat had to eat his meals next to that and make sure he didn’t accidentally touch that seat when getting in and out of his own seat.
Weird thing was the plane was maybe 60-70% full but he wasn’t reseated.
Well then he could have moved if he wanted to.
LATAM sells eurobiz style seats on narrowbodies and calls it premium economy too. I flew one domestically within Chile.
I think they sell wide body premium econony that are like the traditional us domestic first class
Europoor airline.
Let's not throw rocks from glass houses... Mr. Amritpal Singh. *cough*
LATAM sells eurobiz style seats on narrowbodies and calls it premium economy too. I flew one domestically within Chile.
I think they sell wide body premium econony that are like the traditional us domestic first class
Yongho Kim, however, unlike intra-Europe 'business' class, those LATAM 'premium economy' service don't include meals, usually.
There are far too many people on here who pretend to be “Aviation Geeks”, when they are simply ‘moan-a-lots’. They are only interested in is trying to get something for nothing, be that status, lounge access, cheap seats, cabin upgrades, etc, etc. You spend so much time gibbering on about what each airline is not giving you, even though you will never set foot inside their aircraft.
Then you moan and grown about which...
There are far too many people on here who pretend to be “Aviation Geeks”, when they are simply ‘moan-a-lots’. They are only interested in is trying to get something for nothing, be that status, lounge access, cheap seats, cabin upgrades, etc, etc. You spend so much time gibbering on about what each airline is not giving you, even though you will never set foot inside their aircraft.
Then you moan and grown about which airport lounge is rebranding, opening, changing entry criteria, closing or which brand of champagne they are serving. Again, even though so many of you are hardly ever likely to go near the country or airport, never mind the actual lounge under discussion.
One can easily pick out the actual travellers from the wannabes. The when-I’s, from the fantasists. The actual aviators from the Walter Mitty’s. The crude unfortunately outnumber the genuine contributors.
You are not all numpties however, there are some very interesting and genuine seasoned travellers who have a lot to offer this community. It is such a pity that the rude, crude and revolting types spoil a fine website due to lack of oversight. Moderation has been called for on several occasions by different contributors, but to no avail. You see, it is far easier for some people to do nothing than to take positive action.
I know …. “I’ve been warned” …. is that not so Ford?
Aero, essentially all you do here is moan about other commenters.
And it’s not even the good kind of moaning…
Aero, would you like some cheese with your whine?
Flew once as a United code shared flight. Realised that it may be better called as CRAP Portugal
I fly about monthly so I'm no expert, but I DO know you're a jerk, Aero.
Rent a life because I doubt you can afford one of your own.
You sound like a genuinely miserable individual. Can’t imagine wasting such a valuable amount of life’s greatest commodity scratching out a hateful screed against people in a comment section of a travel blog. Seek help, my guy.
“I can’t help but think that the airline may have a hard time managing expectations with this new concept.“
At least it’s less misleading than DL listing their Comfort+ seats as “Premium Economy” on OTAs lol.
‘Umm ackchuallee… we call it Delta Comfort Classic these days.. not to be confused with Delta Main Extra or Delta Main Basic…’ -Tim, probably
Hi Ben,
Would you be interested in a story where a comment of a HON Circle member to a Purser on a Lufthansa flight that they planned to miss the final segment due to family illness lead to this purser reporting the pax to the revenue department (!) and the revenue management demanding a further payment for several hundred Euros due to recalculating the fare and not completing the trip.
After the intervention of his...
Hi Ben,
Would you be interested in a story where a comment of a HON Circle member to a Purser on a Lufthansa flight that they planned to miss the final segment due to family illness lead to this purser reporting the pax to the revenue department (!) and the revenue management demanding a further payment for several hundred Euros due to recalculating the fare and not completing the trip.
After the intervention of his lawyer, the well-known Lufthansa destroyed Dr. Böse, they relented and ceased their claims for funds.
Mental... it's literally the Second World War poster "Loose lips sink ships".
https://www.drboese.de/blog/bundesgerichtshofs-lufthansa-agb-zur-couponreihenfolge-unwirksam-lufthansa-knickt-vor-dem-amtsgericht-duesseldorf-ein/
I wouldn’t go so far as to suggest it’s ‘literally’ the equivalent of WWII-era espionage, but, sure, point taken, gotta fight back whenever airlines or anyone abuses power. Glad to hear Böse got relief, though having to hire lawyers to defend against such b.s. isn’t fun. Anyhoo…
Dr. Bose? Could be revenge for his ancestor not doing enough to aid the axis back in the 1940s
Mr. Singh, are you Sikh, or just sick? How's Khalistan going these days?
Hey Oskiboski, Ben just posted on this story separately. Woohoo. You did it!
I do wonder about the logistics. It seems obvious the 3-3 A321 becomes 1x1-1x1, essentially EuroBusiness. But, does the 2-4-2 A330 become 1x-1xx1-×1? Other than 1x-1x1x-x1 (or 1x-x1x1-x1), how else do you get the adjacent seat empty (yes, I know you can swap x1 for 1x on the two outter sections).
At least TAP isn’t pulling a Cebu and turning the a330 into 3-3-3 in Economy. Yikes, that’s tight. Would then be worth it to book this. And the middle-blocking would be cleaner (1x1,1x1,1x1).
Yes Cebu PC seating is tight for passengers with tight budget. Their crews and Pilots are top notch.
Yup, tight all around.
With respect, Filipino people, on average, are shorter compared to the global average and many Western or East Asian populations, so, perhaps their majority passengers are more accepting of those 3-3-3 dimensions; for most, it's pretty uncomfortable.
Otherwise, I think Lion Air, Air Transat, and Philippine Airlines are the only others with a330s 9-abreast. Brutal on long-haul, regardless of your body-size.
Leave it to the conniving Poortuguese to Poortuguese their way through something and fake ot whilst thinking they're being clever. Disgusting lot of people they are... and this is no prejudice or stereotype, it's fact.
That’s needlessly prejudiced. It’s an airline, trying out a new policy/product, not the entire country or their people’s fault. Like, Azores Airlines, another Portuguese carrier, doesn’t do this, not that it would matter if they did.
I donno, man, I’d only blame the ‘country’ if it were run by an authoritarian and was the national carrier doing something egregious (see Turkish recent devaluations, Erdogan’s consolidation of power, etc.) Even there, I wouldn’t blame the...
That’s needlessly prejudiced. It’s an airline, trying out a new policy/product, not the entire country or their people’s fault. Like, Azores Airlines, another Portuguese carrier, doesn’t do this, not that it would matter if they did.
I donno, man, I’d only blame the ‘country’ if it were run by an authoritarian and was the national carrier doing something egregious (see Turkish recent devaluations, Erdogan’s consolidation of power, etc.) Even there, I wouldn’t blame the people, because most Portuguese or Turks have nothing to do with any of this.
I'd consider something like this on shorter transatlantic flights, if the price is right. It's not that different from US domestic first, just with better food/service.
Umm, “rebrand the front rows of economy, and block adjacent seats…” is not like domestic US First (recliners); it’s more like intra-Europe business class, which is worse (think, 3-3 configuration with a blocked middle, super lame).
Agree; it’s akin to the European model.
That said, the last two times I enjoyed that class on Iberia I found the experience completely acceptable - access to a BA Club, priority status at ticket counter, security and boarding, as well as a decent meal. Whatever that price delta was, we recall it being a bargain.
This configuration (yes, equivalent to euro-J) does give you much more privacy and personal space than US first since there's entire seat between you and the next person, no shared armrest, even some extra space to store your stuff. I'm far more likely to buy this than the classic premium economy.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say, “much more privacy…” like, it’s not Qsuite with a door…
Premium Economy has always existed on TAP long (and short) range aircraft.
They call it "Business Class".
Pierre, some U.S. carriers actually call it First Class don’t you know ….
Both of yous, and what they do in Europe for ‘business’ class is a farce; it’s not even ‘premium economy’ (recliner); it’s 3-3 configuration with a blocked middle. Yuck.
Right Ford.
Quiet, swine.
That’s what BA, Iberia, etc. have been doing with their intra-European “business” class offering. Terrible.
Exactly. 3-3 blocked middle is indeed terrible. They should not be allowed to refer to that as ‘business’ class. It should be called ‘we’re lying to our customers.’
Americans call it first class Ford.
While I do understand where you are coming from, there is some logic to it. The average flight in Europe goes from 1-2 1/2 hours. In the States, it can go up to 5 hours. Many Europeans are often much taller than Americans. Yet, not many complain about Euro biz.
On LH, all flights over 2 hours serve a full meal that is usually better than FC in States. Our flight to Helsinki serves a...
While I do understand where you are coming from, there is some logic to it. The average flight in Europe goes from 1-2 1/2 hours. In the States, it can go up to 5 hours. Many Europeans are often much taller than Americans. Yet, not many complain about Euro biz.
On LH, all flights over 2 hours serve a full meal that is usually better than FC in States. Our flight to Helsinki serves a full roast goose dinner with decent wine. Pre- take off drinks, and attentive service throughout the flight.
And they can reconfigure the cabin at a moment's notice. On some flights their are four rows of Euro biz, while on others, I have seen 11. Demand driven.
So, unless you are bigger than Sven and Olaf, methinks a tad much kvetching. Euro biz may have less legroom, but I will take way ahead of that world class AA service and trashy cabins with broken seat backs.
Roast goose?! Sign me up!
During the month of December it's served on ALL LH FC, bizz, and premium economy leaving from FRA. Even on flts to NY. HONKING good deal!
I'd like to try the new Allegris seats, too, so, maybe I'll have to book a quick trip!
Typically, European and Asian carriers have far better service and far better product than American carriers.Do so , just because one doesn't follow that bandwagon , who cares. I'm just thankful.There's choices out there and I can avoid every canadian carrier in every american carrier , because most are s***. Just take a look at air.Canada's premium economy product.It's a joke They haven't done anything with it in fifteen years. Hard pass , if i'm...
Typically, European and Asian carriers have far better service and far better product than American carriers.Do so , just because one doesn't follow that bandwagon , who cares. I'm just thankful.There's choices out there and I can avoid every canadian carrier in every american carrier , because most are s***. Just take a look at air.Canada's premium economy product.It's a joke They haven't done anything with it in fifteen years. Hard pass , if i'm going to asia or australia or europe or anywhere else for that matter.
Well, typically, yeah, European carriers have better food and nice seats on long-haul, wide-body routes, but, arguably US, Canadian, and Australian carriers do better with domestic/regional First (actual recliners), rather than the farce of a 3-3 blocked middle ‘business’ class in Europe…
European business class comes with fast track, lounge access, more personal space and proper meal (the latter on most airlines, some like KL don't offer it). Much better than US first where you get a huge chair that's pointless on a shorthaul flight and a bag of peanuts.
Now if we're comparing euro-J to Asian carriers, that would be a very different topic. But compared to American shorthaul F/J, euro-J wins every single time. I...
European business class comes with fast track, lounge access, more personal space and proper meal (the latter on most airlines, some like KL don't offer it). Much better than US first where you get a huge chair that's pointless on a shorthaul flight and a bag of peanuts.
Now if we're comparing euro-J to Asian carriers, that would be a very different topic. But compared to American shorthaul F/J, euro-J wins every single time. I mean, catering on my last COPA flight was even worse than KLM and that's saying a lot.
You know what else provides “fast track, lounge access”? Status. Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, OW Sapphire, Emerald, etc. regardless of seat/class.
I’ve flown KLM’s intra-Europe business class on both 737 and a321neo, and enjoyed their meals, but the seats were nothing special. I could’ve sat a few rows back with someone in the middle and no meal, yet still boarded early and used the lounge with status, saving half the cost. That’s the...
You know what else provides “fast track, lounge access”? Status. Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, OW Sapphire, Emerald, etc. regardless of seat/class.
I’ve flown KLM’s intra-Europe business class on both 737 and a321neo, and enjoyed their meals, but the seats were nothing special. I could’ve sat a few rows back with someone in the middle and no meal, yet still boarded early and used the lounge with status, saving half the cost. That’s the typical situation over there.
In the US, we’d pay 3x economy for 2-2 recliner, meal, early boarding, no lounge (unless have it via card), for our domestic First, usually. You probably already know this, too.
So a flight within Canada and Aus can be more than six hours. Big diff. from most within Europe.
@1990
Euro biz has better meals than most served in U. S. HONK, HONK.
I don't think so, European carriers are generally the worst other than the south American ones. Think how terrible BA/LH group (including Swiss) are ... Klm is pretty bad and AF is mediocre. The north American airlines (including AC) have far superior product generally than the Europeans
Ray, interesting comparison. I do recall domestic and regional flights on LATAM a321 in Chile doing the similar ‘premium’ economy as European ‘business’ (front rows, blocked middle), but no meals.
PE is about not having your neighbour touching you. The seat is ok on most carriers, but just US domestic first.
If you are in Economy and can have the middle seat, or seat next to you free, with better meal?...this is an excellent idea (if the price is right).
Recliners would be better. The 3-3 blocked middle is lame as hell.
For me, the biggest single benefit of PE is the nice larger seat especially on Long Haul flights so TAP's offering is not something I will be taking.
I think this is great because it means NO MIDDLE SEAT. Plus, if you get lucky, you may have a whole empty row and can then live armrests to turn the seats into poor man's business-class.
Poor man’s *lie-flat*
For the taller folks, that 4-section of the 2-4-2 would be like a California King.
Call it "Euro-PY."
It is just a money grab. No changes in those seats, no blocking.. it will be same as now. You get extra 6 inches space and a little better recline.. Currently that seat costs $70 approximately per leg (e.g. MIA to LIS). I used the seat several times in the past and while it made a difference compared to the other seats in Economy, I wouldnt pay more than that...
I don’t understand how being able to guarantee no one being next to you is no change…
I don't hate this especially for a 6ish hour flight from NYC/BOS/DC or Toronto which is a good chunk of their North American long-haul. Could be a good middle ground depending on price for not a particularly long flight but extra space and good food.
they are doing for operational reasons on the a321 neo
pls do an article about it because if you check the route lis bel there were sooo many rerouting/diversions via islas canarias or ilha do sal, for refuelling
basically they sold the idea of p2p flights across the atlantic and premium priced it for europeans that want to go directly to their dest in brazil w/o going to sampa or rio
BUT
lot of diversions...
they are doing for operational reasons on the a321 neo
pls do an article about it because if you check the route lis bel there were sooo many rerouting/diversions via islas canarias or ilha do sal, for refuelling
basically they sold the idea of p2p flights across the atlantic and premium priced it for europeans that want to go directly to their dest in brazil w/o going to sampa or rio
BUT
lot of diversions because the range of the 321 was squeezed out till the last allowed mile, and then with the full aircraft they do a lot and sometimes you even risk that the baggage will be shipped in the next aircraft.
so you pay a lot and you get low cost treatment
with premium economy they basically blocks some seat and try to keep the yield high
If true, that’s unfortunate; I’ve taken TAP’s a321neo in J (similar to B6 older Mint configuration up-front, throne seats) from EWR-OPO, and thankfully no diversions.
Condor enters the chat…
More like Condor swoops into the chat… (it’s a bird)
I'd TAP that.
I guess I'd TAP that twice.
I'd TAP that.
That's what Xi said.
You are definitely cracking up Ford.
…. that is what Xi actually said.
@Ben, how are they planning to have 12 PY seats in 2 rows on an A330? With a 2-4-2 configuration, does that mean only the center seats will be blocked? Pretty crappy experience for the window-aisle pair, since they'll be paying extra without getting the extra space!
The cabin pictured is not a TAP cabin but example of regular Premium Economy on another airline
Yeah, looks like Air France in the photo. Ben said that TAP is planning on a “rebrand the front rows of economy, and block adjacent seats…” which is far more lame.
@Ken and @1990, not sure what the cabin photo or AF has to do with my comment. I was referring to Ben's quote: "The airline promotes how it will offer 12 seats at the front of economy with an adjacent empty seat... So it sounds like TAP... will simply take up the first two rows of economy on the A330, and the first three rows of economy on the A321LR."
So, I was wondering how...
@Ken and @1990, not sure what the cabin photo or AF has to do with my comment. I was referring to Ben's quote: "The airline promotes how it will offer 12 seats at the front of economy with an adjacent empty seat... So it sounds like TAP... will simply take up the first two rows of economy on the A330, and the first three rows of economy on the A321LR."
So, I was wondering how they'd get 12 seats out of 2 rows of an A330 Y cabin that's 2-4-2. If they're keeping existing Y seats and just blocking middles, how will they deal with the window-aisle pairs?
Maybe TP's plans are different, or Ben's just speculating on the A330's 2 rows. The A321 configuration makes sense - 3 rows of 3-3 become 3 rows of 2-2 with a blocked middle.
Tennen, we'll have to wait-and-see. Perhaps Ben can provide an update once this is live.
I like the concept. An empty adjacent seat is more meaningful to me than a slightly wider Premium Economy seat that shares the armrest with a neighbor. That said, the TAP seat does not appear to offer more legroom which is a more serious setback.
Who cares? Get over it. So sick of the whole American-centric view on literally everything.
The first airline to offer premium economy is virgin (EVA Air might have something to say about that)
Premium economy only became a thing with American carriers 10 years ago, with United, American, and Delta all rolling out the cabin. In the past, they marketed their current economy plus as premium economy.
Premium economy was more widespread outside of the US until 2015-2018 when there was a sudden rush/frenzy to fit out all widebody with the cabin.
Absolutely Zephyr …. BA fitted the first lay flat seat last century …. have any U.S. airlines fitted them yet?
"Who cares? Get over it. So sick of the whole American-centric view on literally everything."
Then just reverse the order of the sentences above.
Signed, Americans.
Oh shut the hell up, you goddamn Yankees are always offended about everything. Literally the most triggered people in the world.
Signed,
All non-Americans.
sounds like somebody has an inferiority complex
Quite correct NOL, some of the “Signed Americans” really do have their knickers in a twist …. the poor darlinks …. :-)
This sounds fantastic to me. The main reason why I refuse to travel in economy on longhaul is being too close to a stranger for 10+ hours. Most premium economy seats don't solve that since they may be fancy but there's no real separation from the seat next to you. This is much much better. If they price it right, it will be a great alternative to business on other airlines.
Actually on of the reasons I don't despise "Euro-Business" like others do. Yes, the seat is Eco but who cares for 1-3 hours. You get good lounges without standing in line, priority services on the ground, acceptable food and more space from your neighbor than, for example, US domestic first could ever provide. I like it! To be fair, 5+ hours, the seat of course gets more important...
Precisely.
Exactly! You’ve got it exactly right.
You can have it! No thanks!! Hard pass for fake premium
Idiotic.
People don't book Premium Economy for a shorter check-in line or a meal on porcelain. They book it for a bigger seat, greater recline, much better legroom, and a distinct onboard experience. This is just a tight coach seat with an empty middle - and you'll probably be fighting with your seatmate over use of said middle.
It's a very Portuguese way of solving this problem. Gussy up a dull product for free,...
Idiotic.
People don't book Premium Economy for a shorter check-in line or a meal on porcelain. They book it for a bigger seat, greater recline, much better legroom, and a distinct onboard experience. This is just a tight coach seat with an empty middle - and you'll probably be fighting with your seatmate over use of said middle.
It's a very Portuguese way of solving this problem. Gussy up a dull product for free, slap a premium price tag on it, and pretend you've gone upscale.
I would pay for less recline and I actively seek such airlines, lol. Unless it's actual flat seat, I find reclined position extremely uncomfortable so all "greater recline" does is having a seat in front of me smashed into my personal space.
At 120 kg I fit into a normal economy seat just fine. Having a good separation from my seatmate is far more important and this product delivers it.
Good for you.
But the global airline industry isn't about what YOU want. It's about the aggregate of what thousands or even millions of passengers want. And by and large, based on thirty years of experience with PE, people differentiate the product based on the factors I listed.
@JamesW - Yeah, they actually don't, that's why Euro-J is a standard in Europe and all attempts to introduce huge chairs failed. It's you who is projecting his personal preferences into entire flying public.
"Euro-J" is only on short-haul flights within Europe. It's an entirely different concept than international premium economy. Do you...not know the difference?
TAP isn't introducing this product on cute little intra-Europe flights. They're putting it on their transatlantic routes. Ben says so right in the article, several times. If you're going to bicker over an article, at least give us the courtesy of reading it first.
I do know the difference. My point is that the same arguments about people only willing to pay for a huge chair with pointless empty space between their torso and the armrest is also used for euro-J and yet it's still around - because there's a ton of people willing to pay for personal space and not touching their seatmate who at the same time don't see any value in large seat.
Your assumption...
I do know the difference. My point is that the same arguments about people only willing to pay for a huge chair with pointless empty space between their torso and the armrest is also used for euro-J and yet it's still around - because there's a ton of people willing to pay for personal space and not touching their seatmate who at the same time don't see any value in large seat.
Your assumption that everyone is like you and has preferences just like you is simply wrong. Some people are and do of course, but not everyone and I suspect not even a majority of passengers.
This is so typical of TAP. Everything they do is very underwhelmingand done on the cheap. Currently their long haul business is more like premium economy. Yes it has a lie flat seat but the catering and service is not business class. They often don't have meal choices as they never load enough and everything is served on one tray like economy. Cheap wines and no champagne. No cooked breakfast on long haul. Lazy and...
This is so typical of TAP. Everything they do is very underwhelmingand done on the cheap. Currently their long haul business is more like premium economy. Yes it has a lie flat seat but the catering and service is not business class. They often don't have meal choices as they never load enough and everything is served on one tray like economy. Cheap wines and no champagne. No cooked breakfast on long haul. Lazy and cheap. Hopefully a decision on who takes them over will be made soon.
It has lasted so long that apparently nobody wants them. Add Europe's most unpleasant airportt as a base and there it is.
Honestly, I wish more airlines would offer this. And isle seat with an empty neighbor seat is all I need for a comfortable day flight. I'd also love if the US airlines offered that on domestic flights, as F is sold out way too often and not available for connection on transatlantic PE fares.
In fact, I self-downgraded myself from full PE to Y with an empty neighbor seat earlier this year, after talking to the crew of course.
The only point of my buying a higher fare or seat is that I can sleep better and perhaps not emerge from a flight with a back ache. Paying double the fare for a $10-better meal or getting to board first is pretty stupid.
Fine for the airline, let them try. But this is nothing I would ever pay for (European business class similarly, unless it's part of an award ticket on a long-haul).
You can speak for yourself, but I find sleeping with an empty middle (especially if it's my traveling companion in the other seat, but even if not) way better. So this does deliver real value, although of course I wouldn't pay *that much* for it.
I agree. Sleep is hard for me even in the PE+ seats that cost hundreds more, and you have a seat neighbour. A blocked middle seat for a little bit more money is perfect for me. I used to love the days when Star Alliance Gold got this as an unofficial perk on the likes of UA, BD etc - but of course it was entirely down to luck. This brings a guarantee.
The point of Euro biz is to offer amenities like real food, good drinks, and real FA's unlike AA. Virtually all these flts, at least on LH is not during bed time.
From the creators of Euro Business, now
introducing Euro Premium Economy!
Isn't that a more honest way to market the awful European Business product?
Dror?
Everyone knows what European Business means, the same way Domestic First in the United States isn't confused with La Premiere.
Everyone who flies a lot and cares, but, let’s be clear, most lay persons have nothing freaking idea… they book cheapest fare and sit back middle.
TK also recently sent a survey about Premium Economy.
Turkish's previous attempt at longhaul premium economy was a financial disaster for them (despite being wildly popular) because they admittedly saw book-away from their longhaul cabin in favor of it.
Sadly, it wouldn't be surprising to see them attempt something like this, if they tried premium economy again.